The 2017 Nissan Juke is fun to drive, but that’s about the only good thing we can say about it. Its tiny passenger and cargo holds, poor safety scores, and limited features list make this a bad buy. The Honda HR-V has class-leading cargo space, while the Kia Soul has excellent safety and reliability ratings. Even vehicles like the Volkswagen GTI and Mazda CX-3 match the Juke for driving excitement while adding in abundant space and features.
There are numerous other options on the market that will ultimately serve you better than the Juke. Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.
Pros: Potent turbocharged engine Athletic handling
Cons: Rough ride quality Small rear seat and cargo, even for the class Low-rent interior Requires premium fuel
The Nissan Juke makes no apologies for its controversial styling, which is a part of its appeal. Nissan took it a step further in 2015, introducing a new Color Studio program that allows you to mix and match colors like an unsupervised kid at a soda fountain. Think what you will about the Juke's styling; the bottom line is it's one of the most capable performers in the compact crossover segment, which means big fun in the driver seat.
A lot of what makes the Juke so enjoyable is what lies beneath the surface, namely a healthy turbocharged engine that is powerful yet efficient. An available all-wheel-drive system with genuine rear-axle torque-vectoring means the Juke can vary power delivery between the front and rear axles as well as the left and right rear wheels for optimum traction. A taut suspension makes for great handling when the roads start to curve and there are even 7 inches of ground clearance to help keep the body free of scrapes on rough roads. One of the few downsides to the Juke is interior space. Rear passenger legroom and cargo space aren't very generous, so if you often carry a full passenger load, the Juke will feel cramped.
pros: Lively performance Sporty handling Unique interior/exterior color customization options Available all-wheel drive.
cons: Not much cargo capacity Limited rear head- and legroom Poor rear visibility Lots of hard plastic trim Relatively stiff ride.
The 2017 Nissan Juke is a smart, spunky compact-crossover SUV that continues to stand out with its expressive styling, feature-rich interior and turbocharged engines. No longer alone in the segment it started, the Juke now faces fierce competition from performance-oriented subcompact-crossover SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 and Fiat 500X, as well less aggressive makes like the Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax. Nissan keeps the Juke competitive by offering even more standard features this year, keeping the Juke’s price low and offering a high-performance Nismo RS version that pumps out 215 horsepower. Unique to the Juke is the Color Studio option that allows for personal color customization of certain interior and exterior pieces.
Pros: If you’re looking for a fun, sporty and affordable subcompact, and the idea of added ground clearance and all-wheel drive (AWD) sounds appealing, the 2017 Nissan Juke subcompact SUV has you covered. You can even get a manual transmission, for those who still know what that is.
Cons: If you need space for passengers and cargo, a larger compact like the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue makes more sense. Still desire a subcompact? You’ll get better off-road ability in a Jeep Renegade and better fuel economy plus more interior room in a Honda HR-V.
The subcompact crossover SUV class is gaining in popularity and the latest entrant, the 2018 Hyundai Kona, has a lot of potential to take the lead. Its exterior style may be somewhat polarizing, but it drives better than the competition. It also delivers a lot for the money and checks all of the boxes that shoppers want in this type of vehicle. PROS Optional turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration Nimble handling makes it enjoyable to drive Lots of features for your money
CONS Weak base engine
The 2018 Hyundai Kona ranked #1 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Hyundai Kona has a score of 8.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 14 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Agile handling Potent available turbo-four engine Intuitive infotainment system
Cons Lower maximum cargo capacity than rivals Uninspiring base engine
With its quirky styling, the Kona is set to perk up some fun. Choose from a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 175-hp turbo 1.6-liter inline-four with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional with both engines.
Pros Tight build and rattle-free cabin, well-tuned dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Cons Some interior plastics not up to par, penalty-box rear seat.
