Nissan has given its B-segment crossover – the Juke, a significant upgrade for the 2015 model year including some mechanical changes and a new 1.2 DIG-T engine.

Styling and design changes

The company says the Juke will retain many of its stylish features, with refreshed bumpers, lights and side mirrors and newly designed and larger wheels. The car also boasts a new roof-mounted aerial, completely redesigned rear lights, redesigned rear reflectors and an exhaust pipe with new chrome detailing on the Tekna models.

Changes on the inside include an upgraded centre cluster, while the entire model range will benefit from high level specification upgrade. The entry-level Acenta model now has Bluetooth phone integration, cruise control with speed-limiting capabilities, Stop/Start technology and full climate control. All the other models will also benefit from vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and six airbags.

Engine replacement

The Nissan Juke will now offer forced induction and direct injection across its entire engine range.

The new 1.2 DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbo) engine, which debuted on the new Qashqai replaces the normally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol engine that powered the entry-level Juke models.

The unit features a turbo and intercooler and delivers 85 kW at 4500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque from 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm. Its fuel consumption is rated at 5.6-litres/100 km and it can be mated to either a direct-shifting six-speed gearbox or Nissan’s XTronic constantly variable transmission, depending on the model and engine choice. This is the same engine we sampled in the Renault Megane GT-Line coupe, and we loved it.

The Juke range is available in Acenta, Acenta+, Tekna and Tekna with sunroof and NissanConnect options.

2015 Nissan Juke price in South Africa

Nissan 1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta – R254 900

Nissan 1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta+ – R277 900

Nissan 1.5 dCi Juke Acenta+ – R299 900

Nissan 1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna – R325 900

Nissan 1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect – R354 900

Nissan 1.6 DIG-T 4WD XTronic Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect – R364900

All Nissan Juke models are sold with a 3-year/45000 km service plan and a 3-year/100 000 km mechanical warranty.