Summary
The Nissan Juke is a small SUV/crossover that was was produced between 2010 and 2019. It was designed in Nissan Europe’s London studios and was built in Sunderland. It was the first model to carry the Juke name.
The Juke’s review scores have gradually been falling over the years as newer, more advanced competitors have been released. It has received praise for its low price compared to rivals, but has been criticised for its divisive styling and interior quality.
An all-new Nissan Juke was unveiled in September 2019, arriving in the UK just before Christmas. We have a separate page for that model here.
In August 2020, Which? magazine publicly called for all diesel Jukes to be recalled due to a fault in the fuel system that is reported to affect one in five cars. In a 2021 reliability survey, What Car? rated the 2019-2019 Nissan Juke as the 17th most unreliable new car on sale. In What Car?’s 2022 survey, the Juke was ranked dead last for reliability in the small SUV class.
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £15,520 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2018
Last updated: Spring 2018
Replaced: Late 2019
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Nissan Juke was the first small crossover on sale, but it has fallen behind newer rivals for space and efficiency.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“Is the Nissan Juke for us? We found ourselves liking the car a lot. Interior plastics and numb steering count against it, but on the other hand it’s good value for money and will be cheap to run. Best of all, it’s good to see a volume car maker daring to be different and making it work.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Tekna
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s not the most sophisticated in its class, but the Nissan Juke combines it looks, price and drivability like no other.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6.6 / 10
“Dramatic styling means the Nissan Juke still looks fresh, despite its advancing years. Poor running costs give its age away, though.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Divisive styling, but still an interesting supermini alternative.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The quirky and unusual Nissan Juke has proved a huge success and become one of the most popular crossovers around.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
“Cars like the Renault Captur and Kia Soul might offer more versatility and space, but Nissan’s tweaks mean you should keep the Juke on your radar if you’re after a stylish crossover.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7 / 10
“Compact dimensions and quirky eye-catching design for Nissan’s smallest SUV”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: (range review)
“Nissan seems hell-bent on Marmite motors — cars we either love or hate. But, for the majority, the Juke has certainly tickled the taste buds.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual Visia
Score: 6 / 10
“The growing problem the Nissan Juke faces is that manifestly ‘different’ cars on this scale are themselves not such a different idea these days.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Far more style than substance, and better to look at than to drive.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Those quirky looks hide an unresolved car that’s average in most areas, and poor in others. The rear seats are dark and cramped, the interior’s cheap and nasty, the equipment is stingy and the Nissan Juke misses out on the latest safety equipment, too.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s divisive but, judging by sales, in a good way. Another Nissan crossover success.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 4 / 10
“Most rivals are more practical and better to drive.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2011
Date expired: January 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 41%
Safety assist: 71%
Note on safety rating
The Juke was assessed by Euro NCAP in 2011 and awarded a five-star rating. This rating expired in January 2018, as it no longer met the requirements for a five-star score. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Nissan Juke to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Nissan Juke was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 232
Average repair cost: £980.70
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of May 2024, the Nissan Juke has a poor reliability rating, according to warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner MotorEasy. This score applies collectively to this first-generation Juke as well as the newer (2019 onwards) generation model.
Average repair costs for the Juke are high, at nearly £1,000. This is considerably more than the price of a used car warranty, which is worth keeping in mind if you are considering a used Juke. Gearbox problems are particularly eye-watering to fix, at an average repair of more than £2,700, and are also the most commonly reported problem to date.
In addition to our own data, other sources have found the Juke to be troublesome. In August 2020, Which? magazine publicly called for all diesel Jukes to be recalled due to a fault in the fuel system that is reported to affect one in five cars. In a 2021 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the 2019-2019 Nissan Juke as the 17th most unreliable new car on sale. In What Car?’s 2022 owners’ survey, the Juke was ranked dead last for reliability in the small SUV class.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Nissan Juke, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 Aircross | Dacia Duster | Fiat 500X | Ford EcoSport | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Kona | Kia Stonic | Mazda CX-3 | MG ZS | Mitsubishi ASX | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | SsangYong Tivoli | Suzuki Vitara | Vauxhall Crossland | Volkswagen T-Cross | Volkswagen T-Roc
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