Autocar September 04, 2019

WHILE THE QUALITY of big-range electric cars to rival Tesla has caught up with and in some cases gone past the Silicon Valley disruptor, the original EV maker remains untouchable still in one area: the Tesla Supercharger network of high-speed roadside chargers. As our group test of Tesla rivals reveals (p66), the state of the public charging network on major trunk roads for non-Tesla owners remains embarrassingly behind the quality of the cars that can now use them. Tesla owners retain a greater variety of sites to choose from that are better maintained and quicker and easier to use. One of the biggest electric-car question marks remains just how they’re all going to be charged on long journeys, and from our test, a compelling case for the defence simply cannot yet be made. A…

WHILE THE QUALITY of big-range electric cars to rival Tesla has caught up with and in some cases gone past the Silicon Valley disruptor, the original EV maker remains untouchable still in one area: the Tesla Supercharger network of high-speed roadside chargers. As our group test of Tesla rivals reveals (p66), the state of the public charging network on major trunk roads for non-Tesla owners remains embarrassingly behind the quality of the cars that can now use them. Tesla owners retain a greater variety of sites to choose from that are better maintained and quicker and easier to use. One of the biggest electric-car question marks remains just how they’re all going to be charged on long journeys, and from our test, a compelling case for the defence simply cannot…

Nissan has revealed the second-generation Juke, claiming that the trendsetting compact crossover has “grown up”, with improved performance and practicality. The new model was unveiled at events in five European cities and is available to order now in the UK, priced from £17,395. The original Juke was launched in 2010 and Nissan has sold nearly one million examples since then, but having effectively founded the compact crossover class, it has come face to face with increased competition from a glut of new arrivals. Nissan sold 67,763 Jukes in Europe last year, compared with more than 100,000 a year between 2011 and 2013, according to figures compiled by Jato Analytics. By comparison, Renault sold 121,970 examples of the Captur in 2018. The Juke has received a thorough makeover for its second generation, with sharper lines…

Nissan has revealed the second-generation Juke, claiming that the trendsetting compact crossover has “grown up”, with improved performance and practicality. The new model was unveiled at events in five European cities and is available to order now in the UK, priced from £17,395. The original Juke was launched in 2010 and Nissan has sold nearly one million examples since then, but having effectively founded the compact crossover class, it has come face to face with increased competition from a glut of new arrivals. Nissan sold 67,763 Jukes in Europe last year, compared with more than 100,000 a year between 2011 and 2013, according to figures compiled by Jato Analytics. By comparison, Renault sold 121,970 examples of the Captur in 2018. The Juke has received a thorough makeover for its second…

SKODA KAMIQ Out: now The latest Volkswagen Group crossover is sensible, practical, affordable and very competent but lacks the Juke’s visual character. FORD PUMA Out: late 2019 The new Puma is a key part of Ford’s European recovery plan and it aims to bring some of the Fiesta’s dynamic sparkle to the class. PEUGEOT 2008 Out: early 2020 Like Nissan with the Juke, Peugeot is also claiming its new 2008 has grown up. It’s bigger, bolder and more sophisticated – and also comes as an EV. RENAULT CAPTUR Out: late 2019 Current European market leader has been refreshed with a switch to the new Clio’s platform and fresh engines, including a PHEV.…

It’s easy to paint the outgoing Juke as a prime example of style over substance, yet it isn’t quite that bad. However, it isn’t great. Dynamically, the Nissan is average at best, and it’s hobbled by a range of characterless engines. Driven sensibly, the Juke is agile enough. Yet push on and it quickly reveals its limitations, with plenty of body roll and poor traction. The steering is also pretty dead and the ride manages to be brittle at low speed yet wallowy when pressing on. There are other flaws, too. Practicality was sacrificed at the altar of style. And the interior is full of cheap materials, which makes the Nissan out of step in an increasingly premium market. Yet when the Juke first burst onto the scene, none of this mattered since…