Nissan's refreshed Juke checks in

NISSAN has streamlined the model line-up and upped the price for its tiny Juke crossover as well as introduced a new 1.2-litre petrol powertrain as a part of its mid-life refresh.

As reported by GoAuto in July last year, the Japanese car-maker has ditched the mid-spec ST-S variant and will stick with a base ST and range-topping Ti-S, with three powertrains on offer, depending on spec.

The range kicks off with the two-wheel drive ST manual, from $23,490, plus on-road costs, which represents a $1400 increase over the outgoing model.

This variant is powered by the new-to-the-range 1.2-litre DIG-T turbocharged petrol engine, producing 85kW/190Nm, and offering “sharper acceleration and greater torque at low RPM,” according to Nissan Australia.

Opting for the Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) in base guise adds $1000, bringing the price to $24,490, however Nissan is offering the carryover 86kW/158Nm 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit, rather than the new 1.2-litre donk.

Nissan is also introducing a two-wheel drive version of the up-spec Ti-S, priced from $29,790 and matched with a manual gearbox. While this is technically a new variant, it is priced in a similar bracket to the now defunct ST-S 2WD that was $28,490.

The 2WD Ti-S uses the 140kW/240Nm turbocharged petrol unit from the ST-S, and the same engine is fitted to the all-wheel drive Ti-S with the CVT for $33,490 – a $1000 jump from the previous model.

Nissan says it made some improvements to the 1.6-litre turbo, including increasing the compression ratio from 9.5 to 10.5:1, employing better low-friction technologies and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation.

The introduction of the 1.2-litre engine has meant an improvement in fuel economy at the base level, with the new powerplant recording an official combined figure of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, down from 6.0L/100km in the 1.6. Carbon dioxide emissions are rated at 129 grams per kilometre (139g/km for the 1.6).

Fuel use in the 2WD naturally aspirated 1.6L with the CVT is 6.3L/100km, while the turbocharged Ti-S now consumes 6.5L/100km, down from 7.5L/100km. Nissan says fuel gains have been made thanks to improvements to the CVT and engine.

Pricing for the Juke keeps it in the same league as rivals such as the Holden Trax ($23,990 -$29,990), Ford EcoSport ($20,790-$25,790), Peugeot 2008 ($21,990-$31,990) and the newly launched Honda HR-V ($24,990-$33,990).

Arriving in Australian showrooms later this month, the facelifted Juke made its debut at last year's Geneva motor show, and introduced subtle styling tweaks such as a more prominent V-motion grille, LED daytime running lights, new front bumper and redesigned headlights that are Xenon in the Ti-S.

The rear bumper has changed and the 'boomerang' tail-lights gain LED tech, while the LED indicators are now fitted to the door mirrors that also house cameras for the Around View Monitor on the Ti-S grade.

The Juke gets new 17-inch alloy wheels, while three colours have been added to the pallette – Bumblebee yellow, Magnetic red and Ink blue – bringing the number of colour options to seven.

Nissan has made changes to the cargo area in two-wheel drive variants, which has increased its capacity by 40 per cent to 354 litres.

In Ti-S variants, the NissanConnect system now features smartphone connectivity with access to various apps via the 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, while the sat-nav now integrates with Google to provide information such as weather forecasts and the closest service station.

The Juke features Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, USB ports and an auxiliary jack, and the Ti-S gains the Around View Monitor that uses radars, sensors and cameras to give the driver a 360 degree view around the car.

Nissan's Safety Shield package on the Ti-S includes a blind-spot warning, lane departure warning and moving object detection.

In its first full year on sale, 2014, Nissan sold 2812 Jukes to outsell the Ford EcoSport (2200), Suzuki S-Cross (1733), Peugeot 2008 (488) and the larger Jeep Patriot (2717), but was well behind bigger offerings such as the Holden Trax (5979) and the Mitsubishi ASX (10,404).

The Juke is up 3.9 per cent for the first two months of this year compared with last, with 448 units shifted.

Nissan Juke pricing*

ST 2WD	$23,490
ST 2WD (a)	$24,490
Ti-S 2WD	$29,790
Ti-S AWD (a)	$33,490

*Excludes on-road costs.