Nissan JUKE ST 2021 Review

The Nissan JUKE is the Japanese brand’s smallest SUV and is now in its second generation, arriving in Australia some 10 years after the original compact crossover, with its polarising styling, made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show.

Now only available in front-wheel drive, the new Nissan JUKE range spans four model grades – ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti – all of which are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (84kW/180Nm) matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Notwithstanding the significantly overhauled and tech-savvy new line-up, the JUKE’s competition in the fast-growing light SUV class is formidable, with the segment-leading Mazda CX-3 covering all bases across a comprehensive range and all-new entrants such as the Kia Stonic, Hyundai Venue, Toyota Yaris Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross and Ford Puma also now vying for buyers’ attention.

The CX-3, Stonic and Venue are all priced well below the new JUKE’s marker at entry level, while the Yaris Cross (which has a hybrid option) also puts the new little Nissan on the back foot in terms of baseline pricing.

There are other more affordable options in the next-size-up small SUV segment, too, while the T-Cross and Puma, as probably the JUKE’s closest rivals in terms of positioning and powertrain, have lots going for them as well.

The 2021 Nissan JUKE ST is priced from $27,990 plus on-road costs, and that in itself is a limiting factor given the sharply-priced rivals mentioned above – some of which not only undercut the new JUKE, but offer greater choice where engine and transmissions are concerned.

The asking price of the four-model range grows with the ST+ from $30,740, the ST-L from $33,940 and tops out with the Ti priced from $36,490 (all plus ORCs).

The silver lining in this package, however, is that the 2021 Nissan JUKE brings a strong game where safety and technology are concerned.

Yes, even the cheapest ST model features equipment many other manufacturers make you pay more for as cost options or as a result of climbing the model range.

An 8.0-inch touch-screen is home to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, AM/FM radio, CD player, Bluetooth streaming and voice recognition. Sound comes to the cabin via a four-speaker sound system. It’s simple to navigate, works without fault and, to be honest, I want for nothing more.

Higher grades gain more speakers as well as digital radio.

Driver assist features on the Nissan JUKE ST include forward collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, front parking sensors, a rear-view camera, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, active speed limiter, emergency stop signal and traffic sign recognition. Cruise control is there, too.

You need to climb the ranks for extras such as adaptive cruise, satellite navigation, front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera – to name a few – but, for the most part, the entry-level ST has you well covered.

The Nissan JUKE also has six airbags on-board and carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The big car credentials in a small SUV silhouette bode well for the 2021 Nissan JUKE.

Its high-riding stature, comfort for five occupants and a large (422-1305L) boot make it quite a versatile SUV that’ll cope with kids’ scooters and skateboards, prams and a multitude of baggage.

With a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, it has the potential to be very economical, too. Nissan claims a combined average of 5.8L/100km while our city-based test returned closer to 7L/100km.

It’s a crying shame that the entry-level model (and ST+) misses out on Nissan’s three drive modes (Standard, Eco and Sport) because it’s Sport mode where you get the most engaging feel at the wheel with a noticeably punchier throttle response and quicker shifts through the gears as we found when we drove the range at the local launch earlier this year.

Steering the ST for a few weeks reveals its ups and downs. The most notable down is its sluggish transmission. It’s slow off the mark and there’s some delay in shifts from initial take-off and moving through first to second gear.

And it’s these low gears that are getting a thorough workout for the city-based driving that dominates our road test. Once the revs increase, climbing the remaining gears feels more natural and power delivery is better.

If you’re after that punchy, gotta-get-to-the-shop-before-it-closes immediacy from your three-cylinder SUV, look elsewhere.

The second-generation Nissan JUKE is dimensionally larger than its predecessor and, typically speaking, bigger translates to broader appeal.

In addition, the previous version’s polarising looks have softened, and this new one is packed with technology as standard.

The Nissan JUKE does, however, remain one for the buyer who likes to stray a little from the mainstream – it’s still a little quirky but no so much that people point at you.  

The JUKE’s voluminous boot space is likely to be good bait for new families who want to stay in the small SUV footprint. It definitely punches above its weight with its generous luggage capacity an easy justification to resist a bigger, and potentially more expensive, buy.

Its back seat also has two ISOFIX and child seat tether points.

There is one overarching theme to the 2021 Nissan JUKE that will garner it broad appeal – comfort.

Its cloth-trimmed manual-adjust front seats are incredibly comfortable and will suit drivers of varying size, while the JUKE’s ride comfort and handling is great, making the crossover amply fit for city-based duties as well as long freeways drives.

It’s a necessary payoff for the ST’s sub-par transmission.

The 2021 Nissan JUKE is a solid step forward in its second-generation offering – no great surprise there.

Leading with technology and safety at the heart of this full-scale overhaul is smart and indicative of what buyers expect.

Differentiating your line-up on equipment only simplifies things, too. Removing the exterior model badges so nobody really notices you’re in the budget buy – genius.

The entry-level ST, however, is a poor example of the JUKE’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission’s capabilities.

The fact you have to step up two model grades to the ST-L to be rewarded with a trio of drive modes that transform this car’s power delivery is disappointing.

Indeed, the JUKE offers buyers a great package where practicality and versatility are concerned – and its personality stands out from the pack.

For some, that may just be enough.

How much does the 2021 Nissan JUKE ST cost?
Price: $27,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 84kW/180Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 136g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2020)