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The Nissan Juke has been one of the best small SUVs on the market for several years, with several features added and removed since it was first introduced in 2010. Experiencing several iterations with larger engines, higher or lower ride heights, and trim levels over the last 11 years.
The second generation has been updated with larger lights, sleeker lines, and a slightly larger body overall that has made it loved worldwide. With a starting price of $20 900, it is completely affordable compared to other compact SUVs of the same class.
Initially launched with 1.5-liter diesel engines and 1.6-liter petrol engines, the 2021 models of the Juke have a strong 1.0-liter petrol engine. The small 117-horsepower engine can easily accelerate to 60 mph within 11 seconds, depending on the gearbox you have.
The base models have manual gearboxes that allow you to have complete control of the acceleration and speed of the vehicle. However, most models have the automatic 7-speed dual-clutch CVT gearbox connected to an all-wheel-drive system that allows the Juke to go almost anywhere you may want, provided it’s only on dirt roads and normal roads.
The new Juke does have a few styling options depending on where you are, with the engine staying more or less the same but the trim levels changing. Going from a basic clean-cut look to a more rugged or sporty look depending on the stripes and design you are choosing.
When we start measuring the efficiency of this small and hearty vehicle, it starts to shine, doing an amazing 28 mpg in the city. While driving on the highway will allow the Juke’s small engine to do 32 mpg, giving you the range to easily and comfortably go much further in your compact SUV than in average SUVs.
As standard, the Juke has several creature features that make it a dream to drive, such as air conditioning, leather seats, power windows. The infotainment system gives you Bluetooth, apple car play, android auto, a full audio surround system, and USB and Aux ports.
- Front headroom – 39 inches
- Front Legroom – 42 inches
- Front shoulder room – 53.5 inches
- Boot size seats up – 354 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1189 liters
The Top Three Alternatives to the Nissan Juke
We know three alternatives are on the same playing field as the Nissan Juke, each one offering a set of advantages, all unique to themselves. We recommend taking a look at these and considering the prices when you will be buying your new compact SUV. There are many other alternatives that we have listed as well, each one offering a slight change in the formula.
1. Fiat 500X
Starting at $25 000, the Fiat 500X is Fiats solution to compact SUVs that focus more on speed and power than some of the others on our list. With the higher price not specifically giving the 500X more features, it does bring the small Italian car to the US market with some needed abilities.
All Fiat vehicles have little to no base features, with the 500X not having a full radio system; however, the options become much more varied as you start moving up on the features list. A full speaker system, climate control, electric seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Further, the car does come standard with ABS, Traction Control and only has an automatic gearbox as standard, with even the base spec being automatic. With a small but strong four-cylinder 177 horsepower engine, it can be a powerhouse in the city and an open road warrior when traveling across distances.
The 500X shines when on the open road as the small, turbocharged engine can easily reach 30mpg on the highway. Achieving a respectable 24mpg in the city, making it one of the most fuel economical cars of its size that is not a hybrid engine, with only a 12.7-gallon fuel tank.
When it comes to the dimensions of the 500X, it is very similar to the Juke, giving you all the space for you and your family.
- Front headroom – 39.1 inches
- Front Legroom – 41.4 inches
- Front shoulder room – 54.3 inches
- Boot size seats up – 399 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1127 liters
2. Toyota RAV4
Since it was first introduced, the Toyota RAV4 has been on the market for several years and has been a strong contender in the compact SUV market. With a starting price of $26 350, it can be one of the pricier options you have to choose from, with top-of-the-line models easily reaching $36 280.
A big plus for the RAV4 is that it comes standard with several features that many other vehicles only start adding on more expensive models. You will get a full audio system, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, with full navigation, cruise control, and several other features added on top-end models.
A big plus to the RAV4 is the engine options, coming with a plain 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is front-wheel drive and produces 203 horsepower. However, you can also get a diesel version that is slowly being phased out, while the newest addition is the hybrid 2.5-liter engine 219 horsepower efficient monster.
The petrol engine does a healthy 27mpg in the city and 35mpg on the open road when it comes to efficiency. However, the hybrid outshines everything in the category, getting 41mpg in the city thanks to the electric engine and a healthy 38mpg when driving on the open road.
Thanks to being slightly larger than its competitors, the RAV4 has a luxuriously large interior that further boosts it in the category to be above the rest.
- Front headroom – 37.7 inches
- Front Legroom – 41 inches
- Front shoulder room – 57.8 inches
- Boot size seats up – 1064 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1976 liters
3. Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is probably one the most well-known compact SUVs on the market as it has been a big part in making the market accept the smaller sizes. With an affordable starting price of only $20 395, it comes standard with most creature features that many first-time buyers may be looking for.
The EcoSport has extremely basic internal sound system accessories at the base price that can be upgraded to a full navigation system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully automatic gearbox coupled with the ABS, electric windows, and central locking system makes for a comfortable ride in most cities and open roads.
The engine of the EcoSport has stayed largely unchanged since it was first introduced, with the four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine producing 166-horsepower. This means that the compact SUV does a healthy 27mpg in the city while achieving only 29mpg on the open road, putting it behind its competitors.
The EcoSport does remarkably average in interior space, having nothing too small and not quite beating others in its class.
- Front headroom – 39.7 inches
- Front Legroom – 42 inches
- Front shoulder room – 53.3 inches
- Boot size seats up – 352 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1238 liters
Six More Vehicles Similar to the Nissan Juke
Now that we know the top three contenders compared to the Nissan Juke, we need to look at some others of the same class. All of these may be exactly what you are looking for, but they will either have some base features lacking or have a few outdated designs that the Juke beats.
Especially with 2021 remodel of the Nissan Juke, many cars have been outmoded simply because they are still relying on some of the older technologies. We recommend looking at each one and making a decision that will best help you have a vehicle that can handle everything you may throw at it.
1. Vauxhall Mokka
The first thing to know about the Vauxhall Mokka, or the Opel Mokka, is that it is not available in the US market because General Motors no longer own it. Instead, it is now a wholly French-owned company that has decided not to sell cars in the US market because of harsh US taxes and regulations.
However, many people will still recognize the Mokka name as it was previously sold in the US as the Buick Mokka. The only thing that we have been able to find that is not good about the Mokka is that it is not being sold in US markets, with the brand being present in most other countries in the world.
As such, the starting price for the Vauxhall Mokka is only $20 550 Canadian, which makes it one of the most competitive compact SUVs on the market. It has several engine options, with older models sporting a strong four-cylinder set up, with the 2021 models having turbo-boosted three-cylinder engines, which provide around 200 horsepower or more.
Inside, the Vauxhall has several creature features, with a standard automatic gearbox, all-wheel-drive system, air conditioning, heater, ABS, Central Locking, and Power windows. As with all modern cars, you can get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay when moving up with the models, as well as a full navigation system.
The British-built vehicle is comfortable in all senses, with the newest 1.2-liter engine achieving 51.4 mpg overall. Inside, the Mokka has comfortable dimensions that allow a family to take a road trip almost anywhere.
- Front headroom – 40.9 inches
- Front Legroom – 41 inches
- Front shoulder room – 55.9 inches
- Boot size seats up – 350 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1372 liters
2. Suzuki Vitara
The latest version of the Vitara is still not available in the US but has been made available in almost every other country globally, the same as the Mokka. It is by far one of the most competitive compact SUVs when looking at things similar to the Nissan Juke, as it is in the same size and engine range.
Currently, you may be able to find an older Vitara in several markets around the world, especially in India and the South Americas. However, the brand pulled out all of its vehicles from the North American markets to focus on markets it was doing well in near the end of 2014.
However, it is still important to look at the Vitara as it will be one of the most important benchmarks you will have when comparing the Nissan Juke. The Vitara has a standard 1.4 or 1.6 four-cylinder engine that can easily produce enough power to get you and your family out on adventures.
The 1.4-liter engine in the Vitara is easily capable of producing just over 138 horsepower to make sure that you can conquer almost any mountain ahead of you. However, on the inside is where the Vitara usually outshines its competitors as it has almost everything you could ever need.
Currently, the base model Vitara includes a 4.2-inch touch screen LCD, Bluetooth, USB ports, and smartphone linking through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Further, the Vitara can be upgraded to have full suede and synthetic leather, with a navigation system and a rearview camera to help with tight spots.
The small engine is easily capable of achieving 48.7mpg overall, making it lightweight on the fuel budget. Overall, the Suzuki Vitara is a compact SUV in the name. As such, the manufacturer has opted to keep everything tight-lipped, refusing to give the vehicle legroom, shoulder space, and headroom due to the uncompetitive sizes.
- Boot size seats up – 375 liters
- Boot size seats down – 710 liters
3. Mazda CX-3
Mazda has long been one of the underdogs for SUVs; however, in 2015, the brand announced a complete relaunch of its vehicles. With new designs and stronger engines, the new Mazda’s have been leading the cause with compact and normal SUVs ever since.
However, because the brand has refocused on including as many features as possible, it no longer offers competitive prices, instead regularly pricing outside its competitors. With the interiors usually being much more premium than its direct competitors, Nissan and Toyota.
The CX-3 is a subcompact powerhouse that starts at $22 790 and goes up only to $22 190, with almost every feature you can think of already included in the base model. The compact SUV offers plenty of space with a strong four-cylinder engine, easily pushing over 148-horsepower when needed.
Two of the biggest options you should select for the vehicle are whether to have it as a front-wheel-drive model or an all-wheel-drive model. As standard, you will get Bluetooth, central locking, electric windows, and an automatic vehicle with premium interior materials, and a central control system.
When upgraded, you will get a heads-up display and several other features that are usually only found on cars such as BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes Benz. On average, the subcompact can achieve 29mpg when driving in the city and does a respectable 24mpg when driving on the highway.
Because each model of the CX-3 boasts the same design, there is no difference whatsoever with the interiors. Making it easy to choose if you do find yourself attracted to the subcompact SUV.
- Front headroom – 38.4 inches
- Front Legroom – 41.7 inches
- Front shoulder room – 53.5 inches
- Boot size seats up – 504 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1209 liters
4. Jeep Renegade
Jeep has long been one of the most loved car manufacturers in the US and has recently embraced making smaller SUVs for those who want something rugged for the city. The Jeep Renegade has a strong 2.4-liter engine that easily provides 180 horsepower for whatever challenge you need.
There are much larger engine options that will allow you to have a small beast under the hood; however, the standard option will allow you to be on the open road or the city easily. The Renegade has traction control, ABS, and a fully automatic gearbox as standard to keep you on the road as safely as possible.
Further, the car’s interior features are heavily dependent on the model you are choosing, with the Sport providing the most, having navigation, Voice control, six speakers surround, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In contrast, the base model has nothing except the steering wheel and seats.
Unlike the other compact SUVs on this list, the Jeep Renegade has not been made to be driven for short distances, which means it does not compare well to the Nissan Juke on fuel economy. Only getting 21mpg while in the city and doing a paltry 29mpg on the open road, which means you will have to stop frequently to fill the 12.7-gallon tank.
However, the Renegade is one of the larger compact SUVs on the market, which means that it has a larger interior than most and can easily be converted to have a soft top.
- Front headroom – 41.1 inches
- Front Legroom – 41.2 inches
- Front shoulder room – 55.9 inches
- Boot size seats up – 523 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1438.5 liters
5. Hyundai Kona
With a brand-new upgrade to the shape and engine design, the Hyundai Kona has recently become one of the most competitive compact SUVs on the market. However, this also means that it is currently one of the most expensive compact SUVs on the market, starting at $21 150 and going up to $42500 for the electric units.
The base model has a respectable 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 147-horsepower, while the fully electric model provides a staggering 201-horsepower for longer trips. The variance in options has made the new Kona one of the best options currently on the road.
Further, the base model has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as a standard with a full eight-inch touch display panel. All models have full collision warning, ABS, traction control, and automatic gearboxes to ensure that you have the best and most comfortable drive possible.
When it comes to driving, the Kona, with its lightweight body and strong engines, easily outdo most others, even the Nissan Juke. The standard four-cylinder engine quickly does 30mpg in the city and 35mpg when on the open road, while the electric version of the car has a full range of just under 258 miles.
The interior dimensions of the Kona have been completely updated, which means that it will comfortably help you and your family go on long family trips or just quickly pop into the nearest shop.
- Front headroom – 39.6 inches
- Front Legroom – 41.5 inches
- Front shoulder room – 55.5 inches
- Boot size seats up – 544 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1297 liters
6. Kia Soul
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Often described as a large hatchback, the Kia Soul is one of the strongest compact SUVs currently on the market. Even with the refreshed look, the box shape of the Soul LX has made it loved by a select group of people around the world, which is understandable when compared to other compact SUVs.
The Soul has a strong 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine that can be exchanged for a more efficient 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. All models come standard with a fully automatic CVT gearbox that makes the Soul one of a few modern SUVs that still rely on the gearbox.
The price of the Soul starts at a low of $19 190 that quickly changes to a high of $27 790, which is because of the variance in engine options and interior features. The infotainment system is made to be used with your smartphone while also allowing you to connect to other devices easily.
As standard, it has traction control, ABS, and electric windows that have been coupled with a central locking system to make sure everything runs properly. You will have to keep in mind that the Soul has a strange efficiency level because of the odd shapes, doing 28mpg in a city and 33mpg on the highway with the 1.6-liter engine.
On the inside, the box shape of the Soul has a set of interior dimensions that is both competitive and uncompetitive when compared to the other compact SUVs on the market.
- Front headroom – 39.4 inches
- Front Legroom – 41.1 inches
- Front shoulder room – 55.5 inches
- Boot size seats up – 315 liters
- Boot size seats down – 1339 liters
Conclusion
The Nissan Juke has recently been redone and updated with new engines and a brand-new shape that means it is one of the most competitive options in the compact SUV market. Depending on what you are expecting your compact SUV to do, you may want to consider some of the popular alternatives.
Whatever you do, please don’t expect any compact SUV to outdrive a Land Rover into the mountains of any wilds.
References:
All Manufacturer websites were used to get the dimensions and costs of vehicles.