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2011 Nissan Juke

eneva coverage, you already know that the Juke is a uniquely styled vehicle, to say the least. Nissan deliberately went funky with the styling to make it a standout in the ever-crowding compact crossover market, drawing cues from rally cars to emphasize the Juke's sporting pretentions. If you were hoping the Juke would look different by the time it showed up at your local dealer, we're sorry to disappoint. The U.S.-spec vehicle will be virtually identical to its Euro-spec twin. Lending the most credence to the Juke's sportiness is its drivetrain. A new 1.6-liter direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder makes its North American debut in the Juke producing "180-plus horsepower and 170-plus pound-feet of torque," according to the automaker. We hope to have exact numbers closer to the Juke's on-sale date. Regardless, the engine is mounted to Nissan's Continuously Variable Transmission as standard equipment, though if you skip the S trim level and move up to the SV or SL trims, you can get a six-speed manual.
Unfortunately, the manual transmission is only offered with front-wheel drive. If you want Nissan's impressive torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system, it's CVT only. Despite that, Nissan's AWD system is an impressive piece. Using technology developed on the previous-generation GT-R, the system can send up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels and can distribute power from side to side on the rear axle as the computer sees fit to maximize stability and handling.
Opting for the impressive AWD system means you get a multi-link suspension setup in the rear. Stick with FWD, though, and you get a torsion beam, though you do pick up some under-floor storage in the cargo area. Either way you slice it, you get a MacPherson Strut front suspension and 17-inch wheels with all-season tires all the way around.
Built on Nissan's Global B-Car Platform, the Juke will be among the smallest offerings in its segment. Despite that, it offers a high seating position for a commanding view of the road that's so popular in SUVs and crossovers, along with seating for five. More importantly, the Juke's key interior features have carried over to production. The motorcycle gas tank-inspired center console remains and is even painted, not just colored plastic. Above it, the Integrated Control System (I-CON) also remains. The system assigns two vastly different functions to the same controls depending on what mode you're in. In climate mode, the controls adjust the temperature, fan and other settings. Click it over to drive mode (D-MODE) and the controls re-label themselves and now adjust the vehicle's settings, allowing you to choose between Normal, Sport and Eco settings for the engine, CVT transmission and power steering.
To be class competitive, the Juke comes with a host of standard features. Steering wheel controls, Bluetooth, iPod connections, a six-speaker stereo and 60/40 flat-folding rear seats are all included. Key options include auto headlights, leather, navigation, a back-up camera, moon roof, heated seats, and an upgraded Rockford Fosgate stereo with a sub woofer and optional XM Satellite Radio and USB port.
There's no arguing that the Juke will be a very unique entry when it hits the market. The nothing-else-like-it style and compact size have the potential to be big selling points or major turn-offs depending on the buyer, but on paper, it's a perfect fit. Though it would've been the smallest entry in our recent compact crossover comparison, the Juke has all the specifications necessary to run head-to-head with the pack. Does it deliver in the real world? We'll have to get the gang together again and find out.
2011 Nissan Juke
Base price    $25,000 (MT est)
Vehicle layout    Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine Engines    1.6L/180-hp (est)/170-lb-ft (est) turbocharged, direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmissions    6-speed manual, continuously variable auto
Curb weight    3500 lbs (MT est)
Wheelbase    99.6 in
Length x width x height    162.4 x 69.5 x 61.8 in
0-60 mph    9.0 sec (MT est)
On sale in U.S.    Fall 2010