Nissan Juke review

The Juke still remembers the motorbike references of the original, wrapping the centre-tunnel top in a sort of fuel-tank shaped glossy finish, and putting a cowl above the dials, but it’s in here where there’s been most change post facelift, with new materials, trim and upgraded fit and finish.

The cabin is mostly clad in padded materials, and some of the knobs are metallic knurled affairs, so it feels like it's made with affection. Seats, dash and door panels can be had in some bright colour schemes if you're bored with black-on-black, while new N-Sport trim brings with it all the Alcantara if that’s your jam.

What's the tech like?

Since the 2024 facelift, Jukes now get a 12.3-inch digital dial display (on N-Connecta models upwards) and a standard fit 12.3-inch infotainment screen (up from eight inches), which has been tilted towards the driver by eight degrees.

Nissan has attempted to address the dated graphics with a more intuitive home screen, including 'widgets' for functions you use most plus voice recognition that you’ll likely never touch. But it still looks and feels slightly tired. Yawn.

Still, fortunately there's plenty of proper buttons, including a dedicated climate control unit. We know, we know, we’re as bored as you are of mentioning these things as you are of reading about them – but it’s genuinely refreshing to drive a car where physical controls survive.

Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, and there’s extra USB ports in the rear. Post-facelift Jukes also get a better rear-view camera thanks to its 1.3 megapixels resolution, compared to the old 0.3.

Excellent. Is it comfortable?

The front seats are pretty supportive. In the back it'll take two adults comfortably enough, though the bucket seats of the new Pulse Edition do limit rear legroom somewhat. Three is a push in any case, as the roof is narrow and pushes your head towards the centre of the car, and your body follows.

Nissan is rightly proud of the fact that the complicated hybrid system hasn’t taken away any room in the cabin, although the battery is stored in the boot so there’s less storage space. Internal combustion cars get 422 litres of room back there, with the Hybrid dropping that to 354 litres.

Meanwhile the glovebox is now 29 per cent bigger than previously (more room for sweets), the armrest has been redesigned to be more supportive with 25mm more reach, and all versions get an electric handbrake to maximise space. Small details.