Nissan’s Latest Jitterbug: the Daring Juke Nismo RS
The Juke Nismo RS is a dare-to-be-different version of a sporty crossover that’s already “out there.’’
Dare to be different.
It’s what Nissan has done with today’s test car, the 2015 Juke Nismo RS. The basic Juke came on the scene five years ago with edgy styling and an attitude.
That Juke was a “love me or hate me’’vehicle—though we’ve met people who learned to love a car they first likened to a giant insect. First reactions almost universally gravitated to either “cute’’ or “ugly.’’
Now Nissan has added a pair of Jukes to its expanding group of Nismo-branded factory performance machines with both Nismo and Nismo RS versions. Nismo is an acronym derived from Nissan Motorsport International Ltd.
The Juke Nismo RS thus is a dare-to-be-different version of a sporty crossover that’s already “out there.’’
Most automakers try to have an entry in every market segment. The result has been consumer complaints about “cookie cutter cars’’ and the refrain that“they all look alike.’’
If you were an automotive epidemiologist, you could call this trend GM Disease and track its origins back to the Post World War II days when that company had to have every size car in each of its divisions—Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac.
Over the years, it has become impossible to differentiate between that auto hierarchy as proliferating models and trim levels have overlapped the divisions.
Over the past dozen years, GM discontinued brands such as the Geo, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn, among other divisions and subsidiaries.
But a funny thing began happening elsewhere.
Other manufacturers caught the expansion bug, spreading their own lineups and adding divisions. Examples are Honda (adding Acura), Toyota (Lexus), and Nissan (Infiniti).
Daring to be different can bring ridicule as with the Pontiac Aztek, which was slammed for its odd styling and funny-shaped rear glass. Interestingly, Toyota used a variation of that rear design in the Prius and raised nary a critical eyebrow. And lot of sharp shoppers had good luck with used Azteks they bought at a good price.
We got to test the Juke Nismo RS in sunny Florida, a front-wheel-drive version with a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential. An all-wheel-drive is available with a CVT that has eight pre-selected gear plateaus.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 215 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. Torque steer, that mechanical byproduct that results from the front wheels fighting for traction, was minimal with the limited-slip differential.
In comparison, the regular Nismo version of the Juke has a quite capable 188 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. The turbochargers on each have intercoolers to help push cooler (denser) air into the combustion chambers.
The RS variant has a larger exhaust, tuned to emit a wonderful growl as the engine rolls up to higher rpms.
Nissan has reinforced body and chassis points to increase overall rigidity, leading to quicker steering response. The RS also has retuned spring rates and damping as well as a slightly lowered stance.
The result is that it corners as though it were on rails. All four brakes have vented discs and red-painted calipers. While it won’t stop on a dime, it might stop on a half-dollar if you have one of those classic coins around.
We’ve already established that the Juke has a unique look. Changes for the Nismo RS include a larger grille and fascia with a red pinstripe that drops from the front of the front fascia to loop under the smaller vents and around to the front wheel arches. It then picks up and runs along the base of the doors and encircles the rear of the Juke.
REAR VIEW: The Juke Nismo RS bucks the lookalike trend with a backside that continues the style markers up front.
It’s not obtrusive but rather a nice added touch.
What is prominent are the red side mirrors that Nissan describes as a “visual indication to the casual observer that this is not a standard Nissan Juke.’’ Those red mirrors are standard on all three Nismo exterior colors—black, silver, and white pearl.
The Nismo RS isn’t cheap—MSRP is $28,845, including destination—but it’s well equipped with high-end audio system, navigation, around-view monitor with moving-object detection, and auto-off headlights. Our test car had a bottom line of $29,315 with the addition of snazzy Nismo-themed floor mats and cargo carpeting ($220) and a kind of chintzy center armrest ($250).
Speaking of cargo space, there isn’t much behind the rear seats because the liftgate has such a sharp angle; however, drop the 60/40 split rear seats and you basically have a subcompact hatchback.
Inside the RS has Recaro driver and passenger sport seats with strong red-leather side bolsters, built-in headrests, and black suede seating surfaces.
Sometimes daring to be different is daring to be great.
2015 Nissan Juke Nismo RS
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination):$28,845/$29,315.Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 25 city/31 highway.Fuel economy, Globe observed: 26.8.Drivetrain: 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive with limited slip differential.Body: 5-door sport crossover.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 215.Torque: 210 lb.-ft.Overall length: 163.8 in.Wheelbase: 99.6 in.Height: 61.8 in.Width: 69.7 in.Curb weight: 2,969 lbs.
THE GOOD
Power, handling, unique model, quality seats, well-thought-out packaging.
THE BAD
Some lesser quality interior plastic (armrest), suede cover over gauge pod, cargo space.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A reliable, lots-of-fun package for those who dare and want to be different.
ALSO CONSIDER
Any John Cooper Works Mini, Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI.
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