Trying to accommodate curtain poles into a dimensionally challenged car has got to be one of the most soul-debilitating experiences ever — the only other cargo likely to pose a bigger challenge to transport being potted plants and live cattle.
Long-term review: Nissan Juke Week 1
So there I was in the parking lot of one of Dubai's throbbing shopping malls holding a couple of two-metre rods and trying to work out a way to fit them in the Juke's cabin without skewering the windscreen or, in a moment of dim-witted juxtaposition, gouging out the eye of an innocent passer-by. It was only when several grunt-inducing attempts to push my said shopping in through the rear doors came to naught that I realised that a) metal versus metal equals stalemate and b) the Juke's cabin wasn't big enough. Plan B: Open the rear hatch and slide the rod all the way forward to the gear lever. It worked. Just. If you haven't seen a Juke in real life yet, there's one thing you need to know — it's tiny. Don't be misled by its aggressive form in photos, this thing is smaller than a Volkswagen Golf.
Expectedly then, rear legroom — especially with tall individuals in the front— is stingy. And the boot space just about makes the cut. There are other quirky design misses too. The sun visor when pulled to the side, for example, doesn't cover the full length of the window, making it sort of pointless at certain times of day. Many front passengers also complained about the lack of an armrest in the centre.
There are, however, many good bits too. The cabin, despite the dark leather seats, feels airy and spacious, but I'd stick to lighter colours if I were speccing my own Juke.
The ride's choppy, but understandably considering the sporty suspension and short wheelbase. As an upshot, it's pretty neat to drive. We'll talk about that and the CVT next week.
- Driven by Amit
- Start mileage 4,568km
- Recent cost Fuel
- Average fuel economy NA
- Highs The cabin is a nice place to be
- Lows Not the most spacious car around
