Drove a loaded Juke this afternoon and came away impressed. This think is a blast to drive and it is amazingly quick, especially in the SPORT mode. The only two downsides that I saw were that it requires premium fuel and the back seat leg room is for small children. The handling was more sportscar like with responsive stearing. This would be a great car for two people but forget hauling friends. Interesting ride though. I believe a lot of the innovations we see in the Juke will be available on the Rogue in 2012 or 13. I have a 2008 Rogue and get the itch every 3 years to look at something new. Nissan keeps innovating and producing excellent quality rides.

Nice review mag! I'm glad to hear you say that it was quick and responsive and fun to drive. I've heard some conflicting reports on that so far. Did you drive the cvt version? Is the 6 speed version out yet? How did you feel the size was compared to the Rogue? Is it much smaller or just a little?

Good assessment - I think we came a way with the same impressions.

I really liked the front seat accommodations, but unless your backseat passengers are in a car seat, forget it.

I drove the CVT equipped Juke, my dealer had two. The more I think about it though I don't like the fact you have to use premium fuel which on average cost .35/40 a gallon more in my area. After I traded my Murano for my Rogue I swore I'd never buy another car that runs on premium. The Juke incorporates so many innovative features I think Nissan is using it as a test bed. Drive a Juke and see what you think. Now as a second car for just running around it could be practical.

We live in the retirement community of the WORLD and the old people out here can't get enough of it. Considering most of them don't drive more than 10 miles in one direction, it would be perfect for them, especially in stop and go traffic. It would also be a good car for a young person, just starting out. I wasn't impressed with the CVT, but I hear the local dealership has one with a manual transmission. I'll see if I can score a test drive tomorrow!

I don't know of any model available today that comes with a turbo and still allows for mid grade fuel. I know on most cars that recommend high test fuel but allow for mid grade usually suffer from poor mileage due to the timing maps having to be retarded. New vehicles monitor the knock sensor very closely, any hint of knock and the ecu will retard 5-10 degree's of timing. So technically you can run mid grade, but you do so at the cost of mileage and efficiency.

You have to pay to play.

WD

I think the Juke would have been even better if they would have sqeezed the Rogue engine into it. You wouldn't need the turbo and it would run on regular fuel and would be just as quick. After my Juke test drive, getting back into the Rogue I was amazed at how much stronger the Rogue 4 banger felt. Plus the Rogue is just more comfortable, it will be interesting to see how the Juke sells.

mag318 wrote:I think the Juke would have been even better if they would have sqeezed the Rogue engine into it. You wouldn't need the turbo and it would run on regular fuel and would be just as quick. After my Juke test drive, getting back into the Rogue I was amazed at how much stronger the Rogue 4 banger felt. Plus the Rogue is just more comfortable, it will be interesting to see how the Juke sells.

I love your line of thinking right up to the, "wouldn't need the turbo" part. There should always be a turbo option In fact, a turbo Rogue would be awesome. The Juke is just to small for me, I have 3 kids

I wouldn't buy a vehicle that got bad mileage and still required high test though. My wifes last SUV was a guzzler and needed 91 or better to not ping. What a POS...I won't even say what it was because I always catch a ration of crap for even owning it.

I'm a mini van guy these days

Perhaps next year we'll see some exciting engine options for the Rogue. I think the premium fuel required for the Juke may hurt sales, especially if oil prices spike again.

WDRacing wrote:

mag318 wrote:I wouldn't buy a vehicle that got bad mileage and still required high test though. My wifes last SUV was a guzzler and needed 91 or better to not ping. What a POS...I won't even say what it was because I always catch a ration of crap for even owning it.

It was a Pontiac Aztek, wasn't it!??!!!

WDRacing wrote:I'm a mini van guy these days

Buy one of these and slam it. Can't wait to drive one.

http://www.familycarguide.com/blog/1046 ... s-released

Finally they made a Quest that doesn't look like something I'd leave in the toilet. I just bought my Caravan last year, so I won't be letting it go for awhile. Also hard to justify spending that kind of money on a van...I could buy a sweet 4 door pick-up for that money. Which would at least temporarily allow me to carry my testicles again

Or a used M for that matter

I want to mod a new Quest so damn bad.

HEY! NISSAN!!! LOOK- OVER HERE!!!! HOOK US UP!!!!

The neatest thing about the Juke are the electronic innovations. I like the 3 different driving modes.