| First Drive | Sundarland, England | Nissan Juke Shiro |
Key Facts
Pricing: £16,195
Engine: 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: five-door compact crossover
Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
Combined economy: 55.4mpg
Top speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 11.2 seconds
Power: 110hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1,750rpm
In the Metal:
Tough one the Juke; it's a car that'll polarise opinion being either in the love or hate category. It's certainly bold, with its prominent grille, pinched headlights on top of its wings and large circular driving lights. Distinctive, busy and unconventional, which to many is part of its appeal.
Inside is where the Shiro (white in Japanese) lives up to its name. The motorcycle fuel tank inspired centre console is finished in a glassy greyish white, the same hue featuring around the window switches on the doors. There's white stitching and peek through the perforated leather holes and the again there's some white visible. The interior is as busy as the exterior, though clear dials and a simple touch-screen satnav system work well. Space is sometimes compromised due to the Juke's shape - headroom being a bit tight in the back.
Driving it:
Priced to compete with regular superminis, the Juke's additional height does mean you're never going to get the accuracy or agility on the road its rivals offer. You do gain a better view out (ahead at least, as the rear view is pretty restricted) thanks to the heightened driving position. Getting in and out is easier, too. The steering is light and lacks feel, but the Juke's real issue is the suspension, which attempts to contain roll by being stiff, with ride comfort suffering as a result.
The 1.5-litre dCi engine delivers 110hp, enough to make the Juke feel lively in traffic, the small diesel delivering its best below 3,000rpm. There's no need to rev it higher - refinement suffers when you do so. The six-speed manual gearbox delivers an accurate shift, it among the most enjoyable aspects of the driving experience.
Positioned unhelpfully low in the dashboard, the Dynamic Control System offers a choice of driver settings. To be honest it's more of a gimmick than a useful means of changing the Juke's character. It's likely you'll leave it alone after an initial explorative fiddle.
What you get for your Money:
Essentially you get more bejazzle for your money, as the Shiro comes fully loaded with kit. Along with that white highlighted interior there's lots of standard equipment. Climate control, that largely redundant Dynamic Control System and a touch-screen nav, entertainment and communication system all come as standard.
Worth Noting
Shiro might mean white in Japanese, but white interior trim highlights aside the Juke Shiro is offered in any colour. Indeed, a Shiro-only hue called Nightshade is offered - it inexplicably a deep aubergine metallic finish. Shiro spec is offered with any of the Juke's engine choices, too.
Summary
Want a white highlighted Juke with lots of kit? Then check out the Juke Shiro. It's expensive, but then it's loaded with equipment. The Juke's been a tremendous success for Nissan and there's no reason why this range-topper shouldn't add more sales at the higher end of the price scale.