We’ve hit hump day and that can only mean one thing – it’s time for another installment of Car Wars Wednesdays. This week it’s the battle of the SUVs, as the very best of Japan’s automobile industry go head to head – and there can only be one winner. Nissan Juke vs Nissan Qashqai: which car will come out on top? Let’s find out.
Design
Inside and out, there’s no denying that the Juke is impressive. It’s wide as well as tall, giving it a powerful and commanding presence on the road. Climb inside the cabin and the interior resembles a motorbike, with ‘floating’, easy to navigate instruments. Space in the Juke is reasonable – but as far as a family car goes, any Nissan Juke review will tell you the low roofline and limited room in the rear mean this SUV lacks the practicality we’d normally expect from this class. While the new Qashqai no longer offers 7 seats, the car still boasts plenty of space. With ample head and legroom, only the tallest of adults will find it a squeeze. For its practicality and family friendly cabin, the Qashqai scoops this round.
Features
In the Juke, the basic spec Visia trim comes with electric windows, air-conditioning and alloy wheels. Moving up the range, the Acenta adds climate control and Bluetooth – while the Acenta Premium is a popular choice, thanks to its reversing camera and colour Sat Nav system. If you’re willing to pay range-topping prices, the Tekna trim comes equipped with automatic lights and wipers, as well as heated leather seats. The Qashqai’s Visia trim also comes with air-con but adds cruise control and Bluetooth. The best choice for kit in the Qashqai is the N-tec trim – which adds front and rear parking sensors, Sat Nav, digital radio and side and rear cameras. The Qashqai also has a pricey Tekna version which adds a self-parking system, LED headlights and heated leather seats. The Qashqai wins again, offering more kit for less cash.
Performance
Diesel engines in the Qashqai include the efficient 1.5 litre and a 1.6 litre, managing 0-62mph in 12.4 and 10.5 secs respectively. The 1.2 litre petrol engine is most at home in the city and 0-62mph takes this 114bhp powertrain 11.3 secs. For the most powerful performance of the bunch, the 1.6 litre DIG-T petrol engine is the way to go – reaching 62mph in 9.1 secs and topping out at 124mph. The Juke’s 1.6 litre petrol engine comes in a choice of two powertrains. The 93bhp manages 0-62mph in 12secs, while the 115bhp gets there slightly quicker at 11.5 secs. The Juke’s 1.5 litre dCi isn’t as efficient as the Qashqai, returning 67.3mpg and emitting 104g/km of CO2, for an annual road tax bill of £20 a year. For overall efficiency, the Qashqai takes the performance points.
Price
As the bigger, more spacious car, it’s no surprise that the Qashqai is more expensive than the Juke. Entry-level Jukes start at just £13,620, while the basic spec Qashqai will set you back £18,265. While any Nissan Qashqai review will tell you it’s worth shelling the extra cash for the bigger SUV, there’s no denying that the Juke is the cheaper alternative – making it our pick when it comes to the price tag.
The verdict: it might be the pricier option, but our winner has to be the Nissan Qashqai. Thanks to its efficient engines and perfectly practical interior, the Qashqai is an SUV more than worth having to spend a little extra.
Do you agree with our choice of winner? Whichever of these cars takes your fancy, the Car Loan Warehouse can help you find the funds to finance your new ride. If you’re looking for Nissan Qashqai or Nissan Juke finance, we provide flexible lending options to suit any budget. Check out our Nissan finance page to find car finance deals that suit you – or if another model’s caught your eye, head over to our car finance calculator for an instant quote!
