Nissan Jukes the Competition With Their New Sport Cross

2011 Nissan Juke - The Fort in Colorado

The 2011 Nissan Juke is a unique car. It isn’t just its styling or the clever advertising; no, it is the entire package. The Juke is what Nissan is calling a sport cross, but what does that really mean? For Nissan, it means a car that has a lifted ride height, standard turbocharged engine and features normally reserved for highline vehicles. Recently, we got behind the wheel and took the Juke for a spin. Our verdict, check it out.

2011 Nissan Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke - Chris Woodruff Talks About Juke

What happens when you cross a sports tuned 188 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a crossover stance and organic design? You start to Juke your opponents. What in the Sam Hill am I talking about? I am talking about a new angle on the market that makes people stop and notice. One of the journalists I was with while driving the Nissan Juke said something interesting when we saw a Nissan GTR on the road and someone yelled out, “Hey, there is a GTR!” He retorted, “They are probably saying, ‘Hey, there is Juke!” If you are wondering about the name, we have some insight there too. Juke is a term used in Football that means to deceive or outmaneuver by a feint; fake. Even better, Chris Woodruff, CMM Office Senior Manager, says that the name translates well around the globe.

Getting back to the car, the Juke has a Normal, Sport and Eco mode. Sport mode tightens up the steering and Eco mode lightens up the throttle response (among other things) to increase fuel efficiency. On the road, the large mirrors provide good visibility even with the fairly small window openings and raked back roof. While you won’t get away from the body roll that is inherent in a cross over the Juke feels well balanced and confident through corners. The boost from the turbo is noticeable whether in CVT or Sport mode with simulated gear changes. The one draw back, the Juke is sluggish off the line, something you wouldn’t notice in a twin scroll turbo setup. That said, the Juke still will do 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds according to Edmunds.com.

Overall, the Juke is a pleasant vehicle to drive and even four people can ride in the vehicle in comfort for short periods of time. So let’s review this quick snap shot of the 2011 Nissan Juke: quick, stable, comfortable and economical. Wait! Economical? Yes, the Juke ranges from just under $20K to somewhere around $25K fully loaded. Lump in the possibilities of navigation, a back-up camera, Rockford Fosgate sound system and all-wheel drive—oh and 27/32-mpg city/hwy—you a unique vehicle on the market.

Bottom line—if you are in the market for a sport cross or crossover in general then Juke should be on your list of prospective vehicles.