2015 Nissan Juke

NEW FOR 2015

- New Colour Studio exterior and interior accessories

Nissan’s quirky little Juke carries receives a comprehensive update for model year 2015 to keep it fresh against a barrage of new subcompact-sized crossovers.

The updated model’s changes are all detail oriented: the large, circular headlamps now sport projector beams, the signature eyebrow lamps gain LED daytime running lights, and the grille’s chrome angled spars are in line with the Nissan V-Motion look. There are also new LED tail lights around the back of the vehicle. But even if you squint, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll miss these changes. Models sporting the new Colour Studio line of accessories will be easier to spot; a dozen colour or carbon fibre exterior and interior components including the accent trim for the headlights, front and rear fascia, door handles, and 17-inch wheels can be fitted for additional visual pop.

Under the hood is Nissan's second-generation 1.6-litre direct-injected turbo engine. Power and torque for the SV, SL remains the same at 188 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, but the motor has been enhanced with a higher compression ratio and a reduced-inertia turbo for improved responsiveness and efficiency. It's impressive how much stronger the Juke feels at low revs, and how much passing power is on hand at highway speeds. The SV trim can be had with a six-speed manual or CVT transmission and front-wheel drive, or with a CVT and all-wheel drive. The SL is exclusively available with the CVT and all-wheel drive. For 2015, the non-RS NISMO receives this engine, but benefits from a NISMO-tuned CVT with seven stepped ratios for its manual mode, and a NISMO-tuned all-wheel drive system.

The Juke RS receives a higher-output 215 hp and 210 lb-ft version of this motor, complete with upgraded internal engine components, and a beefed-up six-speed manual gearbox. New for 2015 is an all-wheel drive version of RS; it has been detuned slightly to 211 hp and 184 lb-ft.

SV includes 17-inch alloy wheels, projector beam headlamps, LED daytime running lights, power heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, 5.0-inch infotainment display with Nissan Connect mobile apps, Bluetooth and text-messaging assistant, proximity key with push-button start, reverse camera, six-speaker AM/FM/CD player, USB jack, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, tilt steering column, retractable cargo cover, sun visors with vanity mirror and extension, trip computer, 12-volt power outlet, under-floor cargo area (FWD only), six-way manual driver’s seat, four-way manual passenger seat, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split folding rear seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alarm, tire-pressure monitor, and painted centre console and door trim.

SL adds standard CVT and AWD, fog lights, power sliding sunroof, navigation with 5.8-inch display, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, leather upholstery, I-CON drive mode and climate control selector, heated front seats, leather-wrapped shift knob, Rockford Fosgate EcoPunch audio system with six speakers and subwoofer, and satellite radio.

NISMO builds on SV with NISMO-tuned CVT, NISMO-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, NISMO front grille and badge, NISMO aero kit, red mirror caps, exhaust finisher, additional LED front lighting, NISMO sport front bucket seats with red stitching and cloth trim, NISMO red tachometer face, NISMO-specific steering wheel, NISMO sport suspension, NISMO steering tuning, navigation with 5.8-inch display, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, I-CON drive mode and climate control selector, Rockford Fosgate EcoPunch audio system with six speakers and subwoofer, and satellite radio.

The RS adds an upgraded motor (215 hp MT, 211 hp CVT), NISMO-tuned close-ratio manual transmission with helical limited-slip differential or CVT with NISMO-tuned torque-vectoring AWD system, larger brakes with red calipers, NISMO-tuned exhaust system, body structure improvements for additional structural rigidity, additional NISMO tuning for suspension and steering, Recaro sport bucket seats with synthetic suede trim, and a neat synthetic suede instrument panel hood.