By Steve & Tamami Laser
Crossover sales are red-hot in America where automakers are scrambling to fill market niches. Nissan offers five choices: the Kicks, Rogue Sport, Rogue, Murano and Pathfinder (plus the Armada SUV). Yet the all-new 2020 Juke going on sale in Europe later this year is on our wish list.
Nissan discontinued the first-generation Juke in the U.S. and replaced it with the Kicks. Meanwhile, Juke remained in production in the UK and Japan, with more than one million units sold to date. So what do they do for an encore? They give the second-generation Juke bold new styling, increased space for passengers and cargo, and fill it with new technology.
Despite all these improvements, it looks like the new Juke will not be coming to America. Price is a big factor in the B-crossover segment, and Nissan already filled the Juke’s parking spot with the Kicks. However, the Rogue Sport is imported to the U.S. from the same Sunderland, UK, plant that builds the Juke, so why not bring them both across the pond?
The 2020 Juke is dressed with athletic styling, featuring standard full LED lighting, a bold V-motion grille, and circular headlights with Y-shaped signatures. We think it looks best in Fuji Sunset, a new exterior color, riding on the available 19-inch wheels.
At the rear, Juke sports “boomerang” style LED lights. Nissan says the Juke will offer multiple color combos for the body, “floating” roof, and interior, along with customizable bumpers, side sills, and wheels. A special Premiere Edition, slated for just 140 units, will be finished in black and topped with a Fuji Sunset roof.
Juke’s cockpit-like interior with its floating-style instrument panel can be dressed with eye-catching two-tone trim. The driver and front passenger can opt for Monoform sport seats fitted with Bose® Personal® Plus UltraNearField headrests designed to deliver 360-degree sound.
The new NissanConnect infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ connectivity. Nissan says that drivers can access TomTom Maps & Live Traffic or activate an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot to connect their own tablets or devices.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility features include ProPilot technology with electronically assisted steering, acceleration, and braking, designed for highway use in single-lane traffic. Available safety features include Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Intervention.
Juke is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder DIG-T turbo gas engine rated at 117PS, teamed with a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmissions, the latter fitted with paddle shifters and drive mode selector with Eco, Standard and Sport modes.
Note: Features, specifications and launch timing for the UK market is subject to change without notice
News source and photos and courtesy of Nissan UK and Nissan International SA
Story (commentary) © 2019 CarNichiWa.com