The Nissan Juke is one of the original crossovers, offering a quirky alternative to hatchback’s
like the Volkswagen Golf, and it has proved to be a smash hit for Nissan.
The Juke was face-lifted in 2014 to keep it fresh against a slew of new rivals, and the
car behind me was also tweaked.
Called the Juke Nismo, and now the Nismo RS, it offers something quite unique, because
it’s a crossover with the specification of a hot hatch. Power has been increased from
197 to 215bhp, the Juke’s body structure has been reinforced and the brakes and suspension
uprated.
So what’s it like?
Well, the driving experience is actually a bit of a mixed bag, with some things we love,
and some we don’t.
The steering wheel feels great thanks to this grippy alcantara covering, but because it
only adjusts for rake, getting comfortable can be tricky.
Set off and the steering feel is good and the gearbox is superb, slotting into place
really quickly and with a lovely mechanical feel.
The ride quality is also pretty good, so the Juke is more comfortable day-to-day than something
like a Fiesta ST, but, it’s the 1.6-litre engine which lets the side down.
Where most modern turbo petrols pick up from really low down, the Nismo’s is quite lethargic
below 3,500rpm and then feels strained above 5,000 revs, so you are left with quite a narrow
power band to get the best from it.
For such a sporty car, it also doesn’t sound like it relishes being exploited.
Drive along a country road and the Juke’s extra height gives you a good view of the
road and the suspension works well, allowing some body roll, but keeping the car planted
and stable, without getting upset by bumps.
Front wheel drive versions like this one get a limited slip differential, which helps the
car hold its line when you accelerate through a corner, while four-wheel drive versions
only come with an automatic gearbox, so wouldn’t be our choice for driver involvement.
If you are familiar with the Juke, the Nismo RS will be familiar, but with go-faster touches.
The best option to tick is the one for these Recaro seats, which might come with a hefty
£1,300 bill, but really change the character of the car and pin you in place.
Beware though, this side bolster does make getting in and out a bit of a workout.
It’s also worth considering Nissan’s Safety pack (use B-roll), which adds Around View
Monitor, Safety Shield, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot warning and Moving Object Detection
to help avoid collisions.
Being fairly tall, headroom shouldn’t be a problem and there’s just enough room in
the back for two adults.
There are also two deep cupholders in the front, large door bins and a place for your
wallet and keys in the centre console.
The boot was improved for the facelifted Juke, and with 354-litres it’s not far off a Golf’s
in size.
The artificial floor can be moved and the rear seats folded down if you have more luggage
to carry.
It’s another vote for two-wheel drive here, because the four-wheel drive system takes
up precious space, shrinking the boot to 207-litres.
Nissan say’s the Nismo RS is infused with maverick engineering, and we’d agree.
Our favourite thing about it is the fact no one seems to know there’s a quick Juke,
so driving this oddball makes journeys rather amusing.
But, despite its abundent character, there’s no denying the hottest Juke isn’t perfect,
and a car lower down the range would make more sense for most people.
39mpg economy and a gruff engine won’t suit everyone, but like the Juke’s looks, this
is a polarising car and some customers will absolutely love it, warts and all.