2015 Nissan Juke/Juke Nismo tweaked

Styling upgrades, enhanced efficiency and additional features have been added across the 2015 Nissan Juke lineup and extend to the Nismo and Nismo RS variants. Although Nissan‘s self-described Urban Sport Cross travels down an intentionally polarizing path, those who fancy its iconoclastic design will find there’s even more to like.

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Key exterior changes for the 2015 Juke start with revised fascias. Up front, the grille sports Nissan’s "V-Motion" theme that sports a more prominent lower valance, new projector beam headlights and standard LED accents. The tail gets a similar tweak, with reshaped "boomerang" taillamps that recall those found on the 370Z. The body-color exterior mirrors have integrated LED turn signals and several new colors including Cosmic Blue and Solar Yellow. As always, the Nismo and Nismo RS get their own bespoke look plus aero-enhancing bits that increase downforce by 37 percent compared to a standard Juke. To encourage greater personalization, Nissan introduces a new Color Studio program that allows buyers to choose from a of selection dealer-installed accessories featuring eight different high-profile hues.

Second generation engine

For 2015, Juke and Juke Nismo models are fitted with a second generation of the current 1.6-liter direct-injected turbo 4-cylinder. While still making 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, this revamped variant uses a higher compression ratio and numerous mechanical and electronic tweaks to deliver quicker throttle response, a broader torque band and decreased CO2 emission levels while upping EPA numbers by 1 mpg in the city/combined on front-drive models and by an equal amount on city/highway/combined stats for AWD Jukes. Other Nismo changes include standard paddle shifters that were formerly RS only as well as new D-Step Logic for its Xtronic CVT automatic that creates virtual gears. There are no changes to the hotter 215-horse/1.6-liter in the Nismo RS, or to its even more tautly tuned underpinnings.

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Highlighting the expanded feature set on all 2015 Juke models is a RearView Monitor, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start, NissanConnect with Mobile Apps – including a 5.0-inch color display — Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and streaming audio, a Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices. Available in 10 different variations on the theme, pricing for the 2015 Nissan Juke ranges from $21,075 for a front-drive Juke S with CVT to $30,845 for a Juke Nismo RS AWD also with the CVT. 

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