2014 Nissan Juke NISMO Preview: Chicago Auto Show

The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO is an even more dynamically interesting version of the already fun to drive compact Juke crossover.  The Nissan Juke NISMO represents the efforts of Nissan’s in-house high performance engineering team, and as such it brings more power, better handling, and sporty styling to the table.  Nissan’s highlighting of the Juke indicates that the quirky little SUV is likely here to stay in the North American market, and it also underscores the excellent chassis underpinning that model – a secret that not many who haven’t actually piloted the Juke actually know about.

What’s New for the 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO:

• Revised turbocharged engine
• Aerodynamic improvements to the body work
• Sporty, driver-focused interior touches
• New suspenson tuning

New 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO: Styling and Design

The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO enhances the individualistic design of the small crossover via a body kit and front fascia tweaking that improve the amount of air flowing into the engine compartment as well as around the vehicle itself.  Nissan claims that the NISMO components increase downforce at speed by as much as 37 percent.  Other notable touches include swapping out the crossover’s big front foglights for smaller LED accents, and the carving of a tiny front-mounted fender vent that cools the transmission on all-wheel drive models.  Inside the passenger compartment are more aggressively-bolstered seats and a number of red accents and unique trim additions to impart the feeling of being behind the wheel of a performance vehicle.

New 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO: What’s Under the Hood

The 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the standard Nissan Juke has been massaged by the talented group at NISMO to deliver a small bump in horsepower and torque.  The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO offers up 197 ponies and 184 lb-ft of twist, which is an increase of nine horsepower and seven lb-ft, respectively, over the standard model.  Front-wheel drive editions of the Juke NISMO come with a six-speed manual transmission, while those featuring the crossover’s torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system are equipped with a continuously-variable automatic.

New 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO: Features and Technology

Nissan didn’t forget about the handling side of the equation when they asked NISMO to pump up the volume under the Juke’s hood.  The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO rides on lowering springs and its electric power steering offer more resistance in order to improve its feel.  The all-wheel drive editions of the Juke NISMO come with a multi-link rear suspension system that offers a dynamic advantage over the front-wheel drive model’s more basic setup.  Torque vectoring from the all-wheel drive system, which enables the transfer of engine power to the outside wheel while cornerning, also adds an extra dimension to that version of the Juke NISMO.

New 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO: What Autobytel Thinks

There’s a lot to like about the 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO.  Provided that the cost differential between the standard Juke and the NISMO version isn’t that great, the temptation of additional performance and arguably the slickest take on the crossover’s stand-out looks could prove an appealing combo for young shoppers.  The decision to produce a NISMO version of the Juke also calls attention to a member of the brand’s lineup that really doesn’t fit comfortably into comparison tests and which has always been somewhat polarizing in terms of styling.

Photos by Megan Green