I found a new favorite Juke: Nissan’s compact SUV

I was seven years old when I first saw a jukebox. Immediately, I was fascinated by its unique appearance. I was in awe with its innovative and creative way of playing music. Since then, and despite the latest technological advances in music, I remain a fan of jukeboxes.

When Nissan introduced the “Juke,” its name immediately caught my attention. I wondered whether this compact SUV took its name after one my favorite inventions, the “jukebox.”

The first semblance of the jukebox was introduced in the 1920s, when a player-piano manufacturer creatively combined an electrostatic loudspeaker with a coin-operated record player that gave a choice of eight records. 

Perhaps the name recall was not intentional, but the Nissan Juke reminded me of the innovative jukebox. In the same way I was, as a child, fascinated with the jukebox, I found myself—a now grown-up car enthusiast—just as fascinated with the Nissan Juke. 

From its striking outer appearance to its engine, the Juke represents Nissan’s continuing leadership in innovative thinking by introducing a new concept in driving.

When the Nissan Juke was first launched in Japan in 2010, its fun, bold design immediately captured the attention of the global automotive scene. The Juke was welcomed in the Philippine market with early reservations upon its introduction in October 2015. 

That innovative, unique charm was sustained in the new Juke introduced by Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI to the Philippine market in January 2016. As Antonio Zara, then-NPI President and Managing Director said, “the new Nissan Juke is built to thrill and is designed for those who can handle the attention.”

The new Nissan Juke embodies both the toughness of an SUV and dynamism of a compact sports car through Nissan’s ROBIOTIC design concept. Under this, Nissan takes the mechanical (ROBO) and combines it with the living body (BIO) to produce a masculine and agile exterior, and an interior that combines mechanical precision with dynamic movement. 

It’s hard to miss the new Juke. Its unique exterior crossover design is a combination of smooth and sharp edges, giving the Juke a distinctive shape that is unlike any other compact SUV. The mesh grille and under-guard air intake lend a sporty look. The muscular lower body sides, as well as a sloped rear roofline, give it a strong, dominating image. 

The door trim has a distinctive diving fin look, while the C-pillar-embedded rear door handles add to the Juke’s sleekness. I literally saw heads turning as I slowly drove the Juke through an intersection. The Nissan Juke in Solar Yellow, which I drove, was especially striking. 

Inside, the center console has motorbike-inspired hooded gauges that allow the driver to see extensive information at a glance. 

The seats are sports-bolstered, designed to comfortably hug the driver’s body in place during active driving. The smooth seat upholstery also makes driving within the city or sitting in traffic a comfortable experience.

Tech-wise, the new Juke uses the new intelligent control display called the Integrated Control System (I-CON). The I-CON’s multi-colored system allows drivers to change both the drive and climate modes at a touch. The Climate mode allows the customization of interior temperature and direction of airflow to suit individual preferences.

Three modes are available in the I-CON’s drive settings: Normal, Sport and Eco.  Normal mode is the perfect combination of performance and efficiency that is best for everyday driving. The Sport mode adjusts the steering, transmission and throttle response for a more responsive driving. The Eco mode maximizes the new Juke’s performance in fuel efficiency, making it economical for car owners who constantly go through traffic. 

The Juke’s engine is equipped for day-to-day or urban drives, or more active, exciting drives. It has an HR16DE 1.6L DOHC gasoline engine, coupled with the new generation Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This combination channels the Juke’s engine power of 116ps and 154Nm of torque. 

“Innovation that Excites” is one of Nissan’s commitments to its customers. The new Nissan Juke gives just that. Whether I’m driving, riding or just staring at the Juke, it is able to stir excitement within me—much more excitement than I had as a little child beholding a jukebox! 

The new Nissan Juke is innovative, striking and (unfortunately for shy drivers) truly eye-catching. The NPI President wasn’t kidding when he said, “It is for people who want to stand out.”

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Atty. Karen Jimeno is a lawyer licensed to practice in the Philippines and New York. She co-anchors for New Day on CNN Philippines Mondays to Fridays, 6-7:30AM. As an avid motorist, she incorporates different cars and her driving experiences with her professional life.