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.
It's hard to find style and versatility in the same place, but the redesigned Kia Sportage delivers on both counts. You'll like the number of features that Kia has packed into this small crossover, too. It's one of our top choices for 2017.When a vehicle's been around for a few generations, as the Sportage has, its basic characteristics are usually well-established, so you know what to expect from the next one. But for the fully redesigned 2017 Sportage, Kia directly addressed two of our primary complaints about the previous model. First, the formerly cramped backseat is now remarkably roomy, to the point that a family might not need anything more. And second, the formerly firm ride is now relatively compliant. If there's one thing that still holds the Sportage back, it's lackluster fuel economy, which we called out last year and must underscore again for 2017 despite mild improvements. This is a predictable problem, as both available engines and the mandatory six-speed automatic transmission are largely carryover items from the outgoing Sportage.
Pros Rides smoothly over bumps Quiet interior at highway speeds Spacious seating front and rear Attractive dashboard layout with many appealing features Feels nimble around turns.
Cons Fuel economy isn't as good as some top rivals Relatively modest cargo capacity Optional turbocharged engine doesn't pack a big punch
We won’t call the redesigned 2017 Kia Sportage ugly, but it is an odd-looking sort of Korean Peugeot. Leading with a Gallic nose, it’s handsome enough along the sides and in back and hardly forgettable. While such bold restyling does not always guarantee notable advancements underneath, this new model is another case of the Korean manufacturer making meaningful generation-over-generation improvements. The new front end flirts with the “quirky” label, what with its collection of seemingly disparate styling elements, including the so-called “ice cube” running lights below the headlamps. Kia product planners note that it’s increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowded compact-crossover field, which prompted some liberation from me-too design constraints. And if quirky is the right word, well, Kia has already proved that while it might be a gamble, it’s not necessarily a liability. Consider the boxtastic Soul, Kia’s second-bestselling model.
The 2017 Kia Sportage isn’t quite the most spacious, the sharpest-performing, or the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. But it’s shaping up to be the one that’s just right—sporty-driving, but without a sacrifice in ride; versatile and accommodating in all the right ways; and far quieter and more refined than its predecessor. Kia has made quite a name for itself with its Optima mid-size sedan and Sorento crossover; and now the brand has brought some of the same refinement magic that’s graced recent redesigns of thos models into the Sportage, Kia’s compact crossover model that takes on models such as the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape.
Pros Quiet cabin Standout styling Strong turbocharged engine option Spacious, well-designed interior
Cons Transmission hunts on hills Far from class-leading mpg
All-new for 2017, the Kia Sportage compact SUV is sharply dressed inside and out, boasts loads of technology, safety and comfort amenities, and continues to offer one of the best warranties in the business. As a rival to best-selling crossover SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, the Kia Sportage more than holds its own. Introduced over two decades ago, the Sportage is Kia's long-running nameplate, but this new, 4th-generation model is further proof of Kia’s setting the pace or at least keeping right on top of it in a competitive segment. The Sportage touts good value, great looks and a strong roster of available features, but trails others in fuel economy, especially when outfitted with the uplevel turbocharged engine.
Likes If you want a small SUV with high style, an excellent warranty and the latest safety features like automatic emergency braking, put the Kia Sportage on your shopping list. Available features like climate-controlled seats, harman/kardon audio system and turbocharged engine can make this mainstream SUV feel like a premium one.
Dislikes The Sportage is neither the most fuel-efficient nor most spacious compact crossover SUV. The Honda CR-V tops it in both. If you need a smaller SUV with three rows of seating, try the Mitsubishi Outlander or the Kia Sorento. If efficiency is most important, wait for the forthcoming Kia Niro hybrid.
