It’s safe to say that the landscape of car ownership has completely changed with the onset of the crossover/SUV craze a few years ago. Being as popular as they are, one might say that every crossover is worth buying nowadays. Of course, that’s hardly the case. But is the Nissan Juke worth buying? The simple answer would probably be yes. However, that depends on what your preferences are.

The Juke is Nissan’s smallest crossover on the market. As such, it represents an affordable high-stance alternative to conventional cars. Although it doesn’t boast any class-leading traits, the subcompact crossover performs just fine in pretty much every segment.

Whether it’s the distinctive-looking first-generation Juke or the somewhat larger and more contemporary second-generation model, Nissan’s subcompact crossover offers more than meets the eye. If you’re planning on buying one, pay close attention to the first-gen models with the Nissan Xtronic CVT transmission. They’re infamous for their lack of reliability.

Also, note that the second-gen Nissan Juke is only available in the European, Australian, and some Asian markets. The U.S. and Japanese markets have received a replacement in the face of all-new Nissan Kicks.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the main reasons why the Nissan Juke is worth buying.

Striking Design

As previously mentioned, the first-gen Nissan Juke features a polarizing design that some people will love while others might hate. Even knowing this, the quirky bug-eyed little crossover deserves the love for its concept car looks if you ask us.

The second-gen models are a lot more polished and easily blend in with their coevals. That doesn’t mean they’re bland or uninspiring. On the contrary, the new Jukes are appealing to the eye on an even larger scale than their predecessors.

Affordable Price

Although it still comes at a premium compared to conventional subcompact and even some compact cars, price is one of Nissan Juke’s biggest advantages.

Nissan Juke starts from £19,200 but quickly works its way to the £27,200 mark for the range-topping Tekna+ models in the U.K. In Australia, on the other hand, the entry-level price of AUD 31,229 corresponds to around £17,500 according to March 2022 exchange rates. In the U.S. market Jukes were even more affordable than that.

Used Nissan Jukes are another story. Their prices depend on many additional factors such as age, mileage, state of the vehicle, etc.

Fun to Drive

Nissan Jukes are not only quirky and fun-looking but equally fun to drive. Due to their unique coupe-like shape, small frame, and capable powertrains, Jukes can even be considered sporty provided the right package is selected. Sadly, most of that quirkiness is gone with the second-generation models. Going the first-gen route, however, is still more than viable. Also, if you’re keen on sporty driving dynamics, you’ll obviously choose a 6-speed manual and avoid the potentially troublesome CVT.

Abundance of Features

The new Nissan Juke is certainly well-appointed and provides plenty of convenience and tech features at an entry-level price point. Even the base models start with advanced options such as a lane departure warning. Of course, to get the most advanced gear such as a 360-degree view camera, lane-keeping assist, or blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, you’ll have to shell out a few extra thousand.

The older models weren’t as advanced in terms of driver’s aids. However, considering how they were in production throughout the better part of the last decade, the discrepancy in the availability of features between early and late first-gen models is unmistakable.

Top Safety Marks

Regardless of the model year or generation, all Jukes boast above-average safety scores awarded by different agencies. 

The first-generation models are rated as follows:

• ANCAP: 33.03 out of 37 overall score and five stars out of five
• NCAP: 87% score for adult occupant protection, 81% score for child occupant protection, 41% for pedestrian protection, 71% for safety assist, and five stars out of five
• IIHS: top safety pick badge and a good score in all categories aside from the small overlap front: driver-side category where it scored a marginal grade
• NHTSA: three stars out of five overall for frontal crash (4-star driver’s side and 3-star passenger’s side) and four stars out of five for rollover.

The second-generation models are rated as follows:

• ANCAP: 36.0 out of 38 overall score for adult occupant protection, 43.1 out of 49 overall score for child occupant protection, 39.0 out of 48 overall score for vulnerable road user protection, 9.3 out of 13 overall score for safety assist, and five stars out of five.
• NCAP: 94% score for adult occupant protection, 85% score for child occupant protection, 81% for pedestrian protection, 73% for safety assist, and five stars out of five

Final Thoughts

Nissan Juke is a fun subcompact crossover with a commanding stance of an SUV and the driving dynamics of a hatchback.

Both the first-generation bug-eyed models and the more streamlined second-generation units are worthy of consideration for several reasons. They’re affordable, fun to drive, good-looking family cars with plenty of features and great safety scores.

Moreover, Jukes are typically reliable and hold their value at the market’s average at worst. They’re also typically cheap to insure, and their maintenance costs are well below the market average.

However, not all Nissan Jukes are as reliable and inexpensive to maintain. The CVT transmission-fitted first-gen models can become a nightmare should their transmission fail. Exercise caution if you’re considering one of these.

FAQ

Are Nissan Jukes reliable cars?

Going for the manual transmission is the safest bet for obtaining a reliable Nissan Juke that won’t break the bank due to expensive repairs down the line. Opting for the first-gen Jukes with Nissan’s notorious Xtronic CVT transmission is a gamble that rarely pays off. These transmissions are prone to failing, often requiring replacements that cost thousands. Even the second-generation’s new dual-clutch automatics aren’t the best of choices as their refinement leaves a lot to be desired.

Is it worth buying a used Nissan Juke?

Nissan Juke is worth buying on the condition you avoid the risky first-generation models with CVT transmissions. Everything else is reliable, provided the car has been cared for properly. Nissan vehicles boast above-average reliability when compared to other manufacturers.

Does a Nissan Juke hold its value?

Nissan Juke holds its value at an average market rate. It depreciates by around 40 percent over the first three years of ownership on average. Of course, things are a lot different in the current market. Used cars’ prices have skyrocketed, and it’s not uncommon to turn a profit on a number of recently bought cars.

Is Nissan Juke a good family car?

Nissan Juke is an affordable, fuel-efficient, and stylish car with enough room for smaller families. In that sense, yes, it’s a good family car. However, larger families in need of more interior room or ones that require an above-average amount of boot space will find the Juke inadequate for their needs. Then again, they’ll find pretty much every subcompact car is insubstantial in that case.

Is Nissan Juke a good first car?

The Nissan Juke is an ideal choice for a first car due to its reliability and practicality. However, it comes equipped with a small-sized turbo which may result in higher insurance premiums. If you are a parent concerned about your child’s safety, the turbo can be disabled by driving the car in normal or eco mode.

How much does it cost to insure Nissan Juke?

This is a category that depends on the country or region of insurance. However, the Nissan Juke won’t break the bank when it comes to insurance costs.

The new second-gen Nissan Juke with a 1.0L I3 engine, for instance, occupies groups 11 through 13 (out of 50) in the U.K. insurance system. The older, first-gen models range from group 8 to group 26 (excluding groups 18, 24, and 25) depending on the powertrain and trim level of choice.

The average Nissan Juke insurance cost in the U.S. amounts to around just shy of $100 per month or $1,100 per year.

How much does it cost to maintain Nissan Juke?

Nissan Jukes aren’t costly to maintain. According to With Clutch, a Juke requires some $550 worth of maintenance money per year which is well below the market average of $650.