Review – Nissan Juke Hybrid (2023) – More power at last for the Juke

Crossover revolution

The crossover revolution as we know it today can be attributed almost entirely to one brand: Nissan. The Japanese set the tone for the modern crossover segment with the introduction of the original Juke and Qashqai. Now, several years after the introduction of the second-generation Juke, Nissan has put a hybrid powertrain under the hood that suddenly makes this car a lot more fun to get behind the wheel. Moreover, the hybrid Juke is nice and economical.

Complex powertrain

Powering the Juke Hybrid is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with two electric motors. The gasoline engine produces 94 hp and has 148 Nm of power. An electric motor from Nissan accounts for 49 hp and 205 Nm of torque. Renault supplies components such as the 15 kW starter motor/generator, inverter and 1.2 kWh battery. In total, the Juke now boasts 143 horsepower. A solid upgrade over the regular Juke, in other words.

Electric driving

Thanks to its complex, smart powertrain, the Juke can drive electric in the city up to 80% of the time and only briefly switch to hybrid mode to recharge the battery. The car starts electrically and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph on electric power. Although we do not get into the city much, if at all, during our week, the trip computer indicates fuel consumption of 1 in 20. A neat score.

Modern character

The Nissan Juke Hybrid displays its modern character with subtle design features that are both stylish and functional. A distinctive high-gloss black strip adorns the hood edge, a recognizable element seen on other electrified Nissan models. At the front, the grille has smaller gaps that improve aerodynamics. When the engine does not require cooling, louvres behind grille sight close, also with the goal of reducing drag.

The classic round headlights are of course unchanged, as is the sleek daytime running light located at the top. It is a feature that was once innovative when this generation Juke was introduced, but is now considered almost standard in the automotive world. Just think of cars like the new Hyundai Kona or even the new BMW 7 Series. So again, Nissan was a trend setter.

At the rear of the Juke Hybrid, we see subtle but thoughtful modifications for better airflow, with a modified spoiler and small spoilers at the front wheels. Underneath, the rear axle is covered and a HYBRID logo adorns the rear.

In the luggage compartment of the Juke Hybrid, there is a spot reserved for the battery. As a result, luggage space is slightly smaller than that of its gasoline variant, at 354 liters instead of 422 liters. In total, the Juke Hybrid still offers a respectable 1,237 liters of luggage space, which is more than enough for daily errands.

Drive

The Nissan Juke Hybrid offers a range of driving modes, including Eco, Normal and Sport modes. These modes not only adjust the severity of the steering, but also control throttle feel.

In Sport mode, the Juke Hybrid comes alive, with a powerful regeneration mode that recovers a lot of energy. Thanks to a dose of extra power, you then have extra power from the electric motor at your disposal when accelerating, making for a pretty energetic driving experience.

The Juke Hybrid’s handling can best be described as smooth and supple. It sits nicely on the road and offers comfortable and responsive handling. The only minor downside is that the suspension is a bit on the stiff side, meaning you have to brake a bit extra for thresholds to keep it comfortable. We are willing to accept this minor inconvenience, as the pleasant driving regularly brings a smile to our faces. Want to know more about the Nissan Juke Hybrid? Then watch the video below: