The Nissan Juke might (OK, does)
look a bit strange, but we mostly love its compact footprint, feisty
powertrain, and strong value. Parking the 13.5-foot-long Nissan is a
cinch. After a trip to Chicago, senior web editor Phil Floraday called
the Juke "the perfect size for city parking." Associate web editor Donny
Nordlicht has stayed closer to home but marvels that "the Juke's small
stature makes it a breeze to park around town," and he's thinks that our
affordable little crossover makes "a perfect city car."
Assistant
editor David Zenlea presented a different, but similarly positive, take
on the Nissan's size: "I think that most people who hate the way the
Juke looks in pictures would change their tune -- as I did -- when they
appreciate just how small it is. The tiny proportions transform what
looks on paper to be yet another overdone crossover into a vehicle that
has a cute yet masculine character -- perfect for young males who find
most subcompacts (including and especially Nissan's Cube) too feminine."
Of
course, a diminutive footprint has its limitations, mostly notable when
it comes time to fill the cargo area. With the rear seats raised,
there's only 10.5 cubic feet of space beneath the hatchback, and even
when the back seats are folded there's just 35.9 cubic feet, which is
enough for a couple of laundry baskets but clearly lacking when compared
with the cavernous confines of larger small crossovers. Besides the
large glove box, there's no real covered stowage area in the cabin, a
problem for all those city parkers out there who are worried about the
security of their belongings.
It's
not just storage space that suffers from the car's outside dimensions.
"I don't like the lack of space within the cabin," writes associate web
editor Evan McCausland. "Yes, I'm a broad-shouldered, heavyset guy, but
there just isn't a whole lot of room in the Juke. For instance, the
(nicely padded) armrests on the front door panels intrude to the point
that I almost need to open the door in order to reach the power-seat
controls. Cargo space isn't much better; I bought a new comforter and
bedding set that ate up most of the available volume with the rear seats
up."
Floraday
begs to differ, however, reporting: "I tested the Juke's cargo capacity
this weekend by picking up four sacks of grain that will be used to brew
beer. I was able to fit all four 50-to-55-pound bags in the cargo area
with the rear seats upright. Unless you need to move four adults in one
vehicle, the Juke is pretty awesome."
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