2011 Nissan Juke Priced at $18,960

If there were any doubt that Nissan’s new Juke hatchback was aimed directly at the Mini Cooper, its price answers that question. Starting at $18,960 for the Juke S, with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, and topping out at $24,550 for the Juke SL CVT with all-wheel drive, it’s priced nearly identical to the Cooper. However, the 188-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo engine with all-wheel drive promises more enthusiast bang for the buck than the more expensive Mini Cooper S. 

We break down each trim level and price below – the destination fee is additional $750 – but we want to point out for enthusiast fans that the six-speed manual transmission is only available on front-wheel-drive models and costs $500 less than CVT-equipped models.

Standard across all trims is a six-speaker stereo with steering-wheel controls, iPod integration as well as Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, cruise control, express up/down front power windows and a trip computer are also standard. 

Comments

Looks like somebody bred a Pontiac Aztek with a Murano! YUK!

Which MINI are you suggesting this is comparable to? "MINI Cooper" is rather vague given that Cooper is a trim level (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW) and not a Model (Hardtop, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman).

Nissan is really going to produce this?!?!...Gross!

Blainestang,
We usually mention the bodystyle when it's not the hatchback. Often we say hatchback as well, but that's usually assumed.

I have been wondering for a while and have never found a real answer. Why are automakers so loathe to pair AWD with a manual transmission?

Son of Aztek/Citroen is here! If there was any doubt before,there is no doubt now that Nissan is partly owned by RENAULT.The ones to watch....!!

This is NOT ur typical car - not for the conservatives, but for those of modern lifestyles (i.e. not for mid-west states, not including the city of Austin, Texas).

I think that it'l brutalize the sales of Rogue - with a 1600cc turbo engine that produces more power than Rogue - cheaper too! I think that the Juke is a winner for Nissan (i.e. meeting its sales target - and I bet that it's not gonnabe set as that of a Versa or Altima).

Lets put it this way. As whole this car is not that bad. It has stupid front. Ok. It's biggest shortcoming is that for the car this small it only goes 32mpg highway. It has big wheels which is expensive to maintain. This car is not practical. And if they want it to go against Mini Cooper then they signed themselves up to low sales, niche vehicle. Most people can't buy car like that because they looking not for uniqueness but for pure practicality and comfort.

Doug G,
I don't get the AWD and manual either. Subaru and Audi don't have issues with it right?

Tony,
I don't think they're aiming for high volume on this one and because it is a global car R&D costs are low. Nissan/Datsun used to be known for inexpensive sporty cars but with the 370Z being so expensive there's nothing really youthful and fun about the rest of the lineup. The latest Sentra SE-R was less than thrilling.

It's priced near the Honda CR-Z and Scion tC and Mazda3 and I could see this stealing some of those folks. Especially because of the AWD factor. Only Impreza and Suzuki Kizashi have AWD at similar pricing. And this could be much more fun.

@David,

That's what I typically assume, as well, but given that the Juke has 4-doors to the MINI Hardtop's 2, I thought you may have meant the Countryman (one of the mags did such a comparison).

Now knowing that you're referring to the Hardtop, I have to disagree with the claim that "the 188-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo engine with all-wheel drive promises more enthusiast bang for the buck than the more expensive Mini Cooper S."

For one, Motor Trend says that Nissan claims a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds for the AWD Juke, which is much closer to the 8.5 seconds it takes for the 2010 Cooper Hardtop (Non-S) than it is to the Cooper S (6.7s, and the 2011 added ~9hp). Additionally, I can't imagine anyone suggesting that the Juke handles better than a MINI Hardtop. Lastly, the price difference between a base Cooper S and an AWD Juke SV (which adds predominantly items that are standard on the MINI) is negligible. In fact, when you include delivery, the Juke SV AWD is actually $10 MORE than a base Cooper S ($23,010 and $23,000, respectively).

To be fair, the Juke SV has a CVT, Sunroof, and Ipod connection for the price of the Cooper S Hardtop, but people shopping for "Performance bang-for-the-buck" might not even WANT the CVT or Sunroof... I know I wouldn't.

I would say the Juke compares more favorably to the 4-door, chubbier Countryman than it does to the Hardtop, performance-wise. For $19,600, you could have an equally-quick, better handling Cooper Hardtop or pay the same ~$23k for a significantly more performance-oriented Cooper S hardtop.

Blainestang
I think you're taking a bit too critical a look into my comment but you shouldn't compare an AWD and FWD car re: 0-60 times as AWD adds weight. My point basically had to do with the engine which by specs is closer to a Cooper S than Cooper while the Base Juke price is within $50 of the base Cooper.

Also base prices on Minis rarely are what they sell for, while the Juke is equipped by trim level for the most part.

To be honest I haven't tested the new Juke yet so can't say it is better or not or good enough. I probably shouldn't have phrased it so strongly above. But the only AWD Cooper will be the Countryman and that will be MUCH more expensive than the Juke.

I think it's just cool that another automaker is even attempting an entry into this niche segment.

So which of the lights up front function as the low-beams (headlights)? The top ones look too high, and the bottom ones too low.

@David,

I read your statement as "The Juke will be a better performance bargain than the MINI", which I disagree with for the reasons mentioned above. However, if you simply meant that you can get Cooper S power for Cooper money, then you are correct. That said, it takes the Juke Cooper S power to get Cooper-esque acceleration and handling likely won't be as good, so to the enthusiast, the bang-for-the-buck might not be THAT great, IMO.

Regarding "not comparing AWD to FWD", I would normally avoid that, but those were the two cars you compared re: "enthusiast bang-for-the-buck."

Regarding MINIs selling for their "base price", I agree that most have many options added (and some are stupidly overpriced), but those that are looking for performance bang-for-the-buck will custom order and keep it near the base price.

Ultimately, though, I agree that it is cool to see another automaker building an interesting small car, given how few non-appliance small cars are available in the US.

I like it alot. However, it is over my budget. I guess will start saving for the second generation. Hopefully, by then Nissan does not increase the price.

I'm with Doug G.: Why no manual on the AWD? This enthusiast is unenthused.
And even Audi and Subaru limit the manuals on certain AWD powertrains (i.e., MT not on A4 Avant and Legacy 3.6). BMW offers both on certain vehicles, but they are not available with the sport suspension option found on their RWD stablemates. Confounding!
Until I see some test results, it seems to be a stretch to put this in any Minis' company.

I take the no manual tranny thg as a sign of how the US markets are. Like both D.T. and I've suspected, this is NOT gonnabe set as a volume seller w/i Nissan, so it most likely won't import a ton of these into the country.

You then have to take into account what 99.9% of Nissan dealerships / fleet sales will order (wink wink, not manual tranny), which makes the AWD model - the premier or more expensive model relative to FWD, and probably the model that will sell not as many as the FWD - not financially feasible to offer manual tranny.

Really, this is how Nissan operates - just take a look at their Versa / Cube / Rogue / Sentra lineup! No standard tranny on the upscale/less "popular" model.

I like it a lot-even the front-end. I hope the wave of SMALLer vehicles continues. Small can be fun, safe and economical and I'm happy to see another entry - especially with AWD available. Americans are whiney image-conscious, lazy, crybabies that mostly refuse to learn to drive stick because they can't handle the embarrassment of stalling at an intersection once or twice when they're just learning.

I hope I'm in a position to buy a new car while they're still making these. Heeheehee

Really tremendous, Nissan Juke is looking cheerful. Although the price of this model is slight high for me, but I'll try to buy it soon. Nissan Juke is looking as a running zebra. Fruitful post by you.

^^ That must be the chief designer speaking.

I think it's over priced. Comparing it to what the European version costs (and taking VAT into account) it's priced higher for the states.

I'd rather get something else for the money. It should have been about $3000 less than what Nissan priced it at.

Too bad the Rogue doesn't get this engine, then that would be a car to talk about!!

Who is going to develop the VW R-32 comparable? 300 HP with an added chip, AWD automatic or six speed using DSG. A skiers Porsche when blizzack snow tires are on. The Juke may be chasing the Cooper, but no one, even VW is making an R-32 type vehicle at this time. Having had sports cars and SUV's, the R-32 has attributes of each with comfortable seating for four adults and with a Thule box on top, can carry everyone's ski's as well. With only 5,000 made for the states and the Scirroco being held for Europe without the AWD, an opening exists to replace for the states... The Juke, in my opinion, just needs to have a name change: Juke-Bug!