Nissan Juke

It’s thanks to the commercial success of the original Nissan Juke that the segment known to some as B-SUV (B is the prefix traditionally used to identify superminis) exists at all.

In fact, it’s at least partially Nissan's doing that the compact crossover hatchback has become Europe’s biggest automotive market growth area. When the Juke was first launched in 2011, it was the only real model in its class. Within five years, there were 20 rivals. Now, there are more than 40.

Inevitably, that success cleared the path for a second-generation Juke. But that also ramped up the pressure.

The second-generation Juke arrived in 2020 with plenty of changes. Whereas the original has a specially adapted chassis used only by Nissan, this one is based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-B platform, which also underpins the likes of the Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio and Renault Captur.

Diesel and four-wheel-drive powertrains have been ditched in favour of a more modern petrol unit that sends its power exclusively through the front wheels.

Inside, it has a much bigger boot – almost doubling the original’s tiny 251-litre capacity to 422 litres – as well as extra passenger space and more upmarket materials.

The Juke has now received a mid-life facelift, which is set to take it from 2024 until it is replaced by an all-electric third-generation model based on the Nissan Hyper Punk concept.