Nissan Juke 1.6 CVT Review: Small-wheel drive

Nissan Juke 1.6 CVT Review: Small-wheel drive

Both pint-sized SUVs appropriate for our urban jungle, but which one is better?

OneShift Editorial Team
OneShift Editorial Team
21 Jan 2013
What we like:
pros
Juke: Unique and attention-grabbing exterior
pros
cabin well out together
pros
a cinch to drive around town
pros
CVT makes it a smooth drive. CrossPolo: Lively and responsive engine
pros
quick-shifting transmission
pros
surprisingly practical cabin
pros
rugged looking exterior.
What we dislike:
cons
Juke: CVT transmission drone needs some getting used to
cons
engine response would need some improvements
cons
a weightier steering would be nice. CrossPolo: DSG transmission can be jerky at times
cons
cabin sound insulation needs improvement.

Handling wise, this pair is surprisingly dependable.

Though the Juke gets a pasting from its peer here when traveling in a straight line, its handling at least goes some way toward narrowing the gap. Its steering feels taut and responsive, while the suspension and indeed the whole chassis delivers less body roll while giving the driver a better sense, more secure sense, of control.

While those larger alloys and tyres help the CrossPolo’s braking, they don’t exactly work wonders for the ride, which is noticeably firm. It is fairly lumpen around town too, with potholes and speed bumps soundly felt in the cabin.

It doesn’t matter where you drive the CrossPolo, both in town and on the expressway – it’s handling is more positive than the Juke’s. Turn the steering wheel and the whole car responds sooner and without the lurch of body roll.

So then, what’s it to be? As it happens, all are good – happily, they both look fine, which is an important consideration in this class of car. Little SUVs should look fine and cheer you up on a miserable Monday morning: this pair does, and the Juke looks the most fun.

If you were to look at it closer, the two cars here provide the answer for two different camps: if you want smoothness and a more relaxed driving, with some extra quirk, the Juke is your answer. If speed is constantly in demand to save you time, the CrossPolo is the one.

However if we have to choose, it’s the CrossPolo that we’ll pick. There’s that better quality cabin, although its overall aesthetic is more safe than stylish. Secondly, it’s how fast and efficient it gets to speed, despite the compromise on smoothness.

But ultimately, it provides more driving fun and character. Plus it gets you to the office faster on days you, well, took too much “just five more minutes”…

Credits: Story and photos by Azfar Hashim

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