Nissan Juke redesign targets Hyundai Kona

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【Summary】Nissan plans to target the Hyundai Kona with a radical redesign of the Nissan Juke. The new Juke will have a bold design with angular surfacing and a chunky stance. It will be part of Nissan's goal to go fully electric by 2030 and launch 19 new EVs by the end of the decade. The Juke EV will likely share EV technology with Renault and may offer a dual-motor variant. It will sit below the next Leaf crossover in Nissan's lineup and compete with rivals like the Jeep Avenger and Kia EV3.

FutureCar Staff Nov 02, 2023 4:16 PM PT

Nissan Juke redesign targets Hyundai Kona

The Nissan Juke has always been known for its bold design, and it seems that this trend will continue with the upcoming model. The concept images reveal sharp, angular surfacing and a chunky, squat stance that is accentuated by darkened wheelarch extensions. The iconic hidden rear door handle remains, and the rear of the Juke is expected to feature some influence from the Ariya, including a lightbar.

Nissan recently made a significant announcement that by 2030, it will transition to fully electric vehicles and will only launch new EVs in Europe. As part of this plan, the company aims to have 19 fully electric cars by the end of the decade. It is likely that some of the concept cars showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show, including the Hyper Punk small SUV, will make it into production and serve as a precursor to the Nissan Juke EV.

The Tokyo Motor Show was a platform for Nissan to reveal its vision for the future and provide hints about upcoming models. The new Juke will compete in the B-segment, targeting rivals such as the Jeep Avenger, Hyundai Kona, and the upcoming Kia EV3. Positioned below the next-generation Leaf, which is set to become a crossover, the Juke will offer a unique proposition in the Nissan lineup.

Nissan's partnership with Renault means that the two manufacturers will share EV technology. The upcoming Renault 5 and Nissan Micra will utilize the same CMF-B EV platform, likely offering battery options of 40kWh and 52kWh for a range of up to 249 miles. It is expected that the Juke will also be based on this architecture, but due to its higher positioning in terms of size and price, Nissan may need to find a way to offer larger batteries to provide more range.

While the Juke is likely to initially use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, Nissan has plans to launch its first EV with solid-state batteries by 2028. The company aims to stick with NMC chemistry for models like the next Leaf, Juke, Micra, Renault 5, and R4. It is speculated that the Juke EV could feature a single motor mounted on the front axle, but there is also a possibility of a dual-motor variant that could utilize the Ariya's e-4ORCE electric four-wheel-drive system, potentially paving the way for a high-performance Juke Nismo EV.

Despite maintaining a similar footprint to its predecessor at around 4.2 meters, the Juke EV is expected to offer a roomier interior with seating for five and a decent-sized boot. With the next-generation electric Micra positioned below the Juke and the upcoming Leaf crossover set to undercut the Ariya, Nissan will need to strike a balance between size and practicality to ensure the Juke remains competitive in its segment.

For those looking for a small SUV, check out our list of the best small SUVs currently available in the UK.