2024 Nissan Juke ST-L Review

In this world of sameness, it’s refreshing to know that some daring automotive designs still exist. The first-generation of Nissan Juke is still one of the best examples of controversial design from the past decade thanks to its out there styling. Despite its critics, the first Juke was a big success for Nissan and paved the way for a lot of other unique designs in the small SUV segment. Nissan toned down the second-generation of Juke, but made it classier as well. Is the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L still a great option for those who like their small SUV a little different? Let’s find out.

When the first Juke was released, there weren’t many competitors but nowadays, small SUVs are everywhere and the Juke has many products against which it will be cross-shopped: the Kia Stonic, Haval Jolion, MG ZST, Mitsubishi ASX, Volkswagen T-Cross, Honda HR-V, Skoda Kamiq, Hyundai Venue and Mazda CX-3, to name a few. Even in that list, the Juke sets itself apart with its daring design.

How much does the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L cost to buy?

The 2024 Nissan Juke is priced from $28,390 plus on-road costs for the entry-level ST and here we’re testing the mid-spec ST-L, which costs $34,440 plus on-road costs or around $38,000 drive away, depending on location. You can spend another $3,000 on a Juke by going for the top-spec Ti, but we think the ST-L is already quite well equipped for the money.

Juke ST-L standard equipment:

• 19-inch alloy wheels with a spare-saver spare wheel
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights with LED front fog lights
• LED daytime running lights (DRLs)
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers 
• Heated and auto-folding exterior mirrors
• Leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Black leather upholstery
• Sports front seats with height adjustment and heating
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• Keyless entry and push button start 
• Single-zone automatic climate control
• 7.0-inch semi-digital driver’s display
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• Six-speaker sound system 
• 2x USB-A ports (1x in the front, 1x in the rear)

Juke ST-L standard safety equipment:

• Six airbags (2x front, 2x front side, 2x curtain)
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality and traffic jam assist
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree camera
• Driver attention monitoring
• Auto high beam

The 2024 Nissan Juke range received a five-star ANCAP rating in 2019 with scores of 94 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child protection, 81 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 71 per cent for safety assist.

Juke ST-L colour range:

• Arctic White: $0
• Fuji Sunset Red: $0
• Ivory Pearl: $700
• Platinum: $700
• Burgundy: $700
• Gun Metallic: $700
• Ceramic Grey: $700
• Pearl Black: $700
• Magnetic Blue (on our test car): $700

We consider the Juke ST-L’s main rival to be the Mazda CX-3 Touring SP, which is priced at around $39,000 drive away depending on location. Over the cheaper Juke, the CX-3 adds a head-up display, 10-way electric front seat adjustment with driver’s memory and a black roof. But over the CX-3, the Juke adds larger 19-inch wheels, full leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, heated front seats and a rear USB charging port.

How efficient is the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L?

Under the bonnet of the 2024 Nissan Juke range in Australia is an 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It produces 84kW of power (at 5,250rpm) and 180Nm of torque (at 2,400rpm) – the CX-3 makes 110kW and 195kW from its larger 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine and feels punchier, though not as much as its outputs would suggest. The Juke’s engine is no powerhouse but is totally fine around town, with peak torque hitting early in the rev range. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is not perfect though, and while its quick shifts at speed are satisfying, its low speed hesitancy makes the Juke feel slower.

The CX-3’s drivetrain is smoother and punchier thanks to its higher outputs and torque converter automatic transmission, though it’s louder than the Nissan’s engine and not as characterful. Nissan claims that the Juke ST-L will use 5.8L/100km of fuel on a combined cycle with claimed CO2 emissions of 136g/km – versus 6.3L/100km and 143g/km for the CX-3 – and in mixed testing, we achieved 6.9L/100km. The Juke must use minimum 95RON premium unleaded fuel and it has a 46-litre fuel tank.

What is the Nissan Juke ST-L like to drive?

Based on Renault-Nissan’s ‘CMF-B’ platform that also underpins cars like the Renault Captur and Arkana, the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L is a car that is nice to drive, though not perfect. Thanks to its handsome-but-large 19-inch wheels, the Juke’s ride can be firm. It’s not a keen handler in the same way that the CX-3 is, but can still be fun to drive thanks to its good chassis balance. The Juke’s steering is nicely weighted, though it could offer a touch more feel and be a bit quicker.

Elsewhere in the driving experience is mostly positive too. The road noise levels are reasonably hushed, though the visibility isn’t amazing thanks to its small windows. The Juke’s active safety kit is well tuned, however and the the inclusion of a 360-degree camera at this price is excellent. We also like the lane keeping assistance system, and how easy it is to deactivate.

How practical is the Nissan Juke ST-L?

The interior of the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L matches the exterior with a funky design that stands out from the rest of the small SUV field, but unlike the last generation Juke, the quality is pretty good and it’s reasonably practical as well. There’s a healthy amount of soft touch materials in the cabin, including a stitched leather-like material on the dashboard fascia and doors, as well as funky LED ambient lighting.

Centre of the Juke’s cabin is an 8.0-inch touchscreen that features wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and satellite navigation – though no live services, and no wireless smartphone mirroring. It’s an otherwise well featured system that uses Nissan’s older software, which is mostly easy to use but it feels a bit dated thanks to its grainy screen, though it’s still nicer than the CX-3’s system. The sound system punches above its weight, however, and offers more than enough punch for most people.

The Juke’s front cabin is reasonably practical thanks to the reasonable door bins, big cup holders, reasonable glovebox and small box underneath the centre armrest. It’s certainly a more practical cabin than the CX-3’s. There’s no wireless charger and only one USB port in the front cabin, but those issues will be fixed with the incoming update.

The rear seat of the Juke ST-L is larger than you might expect because of its small exterior sizing with reasonable room for two six-footers to sit comfortably. Leg- and headroom isn’t amazing, but it’s sufficient and the seat itself is comfortable. Plus, it’s larger and more comfortable than the CX-3’s space, where six-footers barely fit at all.

There are a reasonable amount of features on offer too: a USB-A charging port, map pockets and door pockets, though no air vents or a central armrest – the latter is the only feature that the CX-3 adds over the Juke. For child seats are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether points.

The boot of the Juke ST-L measures a healthy 422-litres with the seats up and 1,305L with them folded – much larger than the CX-3’s 264L/1,174L space, for example. There are some handy features in the Juke’s boot like a dual-level boot floor that enables flat-folding rear seats, while a space-saver spare wheel lies underneath the boot floor.

What warranty covers the Nissan Juke ST-L?

Like all other Nissan models in Australia, the Juke comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is pretty standard for the segment. The Juke also comes with five years of roadside assistance, while its service intervals are longer than the industry average at once-yearly/every 20,000km which could be good for drivers doing big annual distances. Five years/100,000km of servicing costs $2,387 ($477 per service) though buyers can choose a pre-paid plan at purchase for $2,138.

The CX-3 is also covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance. The CX-3 features shorter once-yearly/every 15,000km intervals – whichever comes first – and five years/75,000km of servicing costs $2,200 ($440 per service), or a bit less than the Juke annually but to less distance as well.

Should I buy a 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L?

Overall, it’s clear to see that the 2024 Nissan Juke ST-L holds a lot of appeal in the small SUV segment beyond its funky design. It’s quite well equipped and good value for money against its main competitor, while its engine is refined and punchy at city speeds, its cabin is pretty good quality and more practical than you might expect and it’s also pretty good to drive as well.

Counting against the Juke is an unrefined dual-clutch transmission at low speeds and a firm ride thanks to its large wheels and short wheelbase. It’s also a shame that the last Juke was more fun to drive as offered a lot more power. European buyers can also choose a hybrid model to reduce fuel consumption, which is an option we think should be offered locally. But overall, including its sharp and distinctive styling, we think there are many reasons to buy a Nissan Juke ST-L and we think it should be on your small SUV shopping list.