Motor Trend did a comparison of the Countryman and Nissan Juke and the Juke won. They summed it up as:


(They tested the All4 which may give up some handeling for the 4 wheel drive)

Read More:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

 

I subscribe to the magazine and read the article over the weekend. Since I haven't driven either one yet, I can't really agree or disagree with what was written.

What I can conclude is that the Juke is freakin' ugly.

 

That Nissan is so ugly that I've just ripped out my eyes just from the picture of it on the first page of that article.

 

All that means, particularly with Motor Trend, is that Nissan spent more money in advertising, with them, than MINI did.

How many times have you looked at their choice for Car of the Year and thought WTF? Now you know.

Dave

 

Agreed

 

Juke=Puke

 

Can't argue the publisher's findings because I haven't test-driven either and probably never would even test-drive the Juke. It's not bad from the side or back but WTF is up with the front?!? Did Nissan hire the Aztek designer from GM's now defunct Pontiac?

 

Countryman = More Car + Less MINI.

Couldn't resist! Apologies.

I've not driven a Countryman yet, but in the videos I've seen there seems to be body roll present. Perhaps MT is biased, but it sure looks like they're not far off.

Guessing it will fast become requisite to add the sport suspension option or JCW suspension upgrade. Then, no one will complain about MINI-like handling.

 

Sorry, they are both ugly from the front.

 

 

While I'm not a big Nissan fan the car does bring out some new ideas and the drivetrain looks like a winner. In today's market "ugly" can sell, and with a model year change they can drop the upside down headlight look. Its harder to fix performance than looks.

If the MINI Countryman gets beat on performance then it says MINI lost its vision of their main attraction: Handling and Power.

http://www.nissan-carz.com/2010/06/2...juke-photos-2/

 

steal that intercooler lol

 

Having been waiting for the release of the Countryman for a while now, the only thing that sticks out for me in the comparison is the handling is "unMINI" like. I would assume the extra lbs. and the higher center of gravity has a bit to do with it. I was surprised the Juke won as they seem to only praise the drive system and the exoctic/cute looks. IMO, just add the optional $500 sport suspension to the Countryman and we have a new winner.

 

also have torque vectoring AWD? If you've never driven a car with it, it's quite surprising how well it works. I was beating the snot out of a 2010 MDX with it and the system made the thing turn in like a much smaller, lighter car.

Matt

 

It really looks awesome. This is like having a fighter jet flight computer take your steering input and maximize the control.

http://motorsports.broadbandsports.com/node/38836


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsaIYEv39s

 

I thought the article had a pretty bad anti-MINI slant to it. Then again, I've always thought that Motor Trend was best suited for lining bird cages.

 

Agreed. Though even that may be overvaluing the rag.

 

The Juke is already out and costs far less. Probably a great AWD value vs competitors for 2011. Also comes in FWD. Helped by the larger Nissan dealership network. Ugly? Well.

The Countryman will appeal to those on a bigger budget and allow far more upgrades than one could possibly use. Prices will remain higher with fewer numbers arriving than the Juke. MINI could use more dealerships in some areas. Ugly? More like a homely MINI.

Want to really compare them? Go for a test drive in both (AWD versions).
See for yourself and stop reading MT.

 

AWD in Juke is not similar to GTR.
Juke : Torque vectoring All-Wheel Drive (AWD),Xtronic(TM) Continuously Variable Electronically Controlled Adaptive Automatic transmission
GTR:ATTESA E-TS® All-Wheel Drive
(Juke can transfer power right to left on the same axle)
(GTR is mostly RWD except at stop then up to 50% power to front)

review of Juke
http://drivencarreviews.com/?p=3035
AWD Juke S from $21,550
http://autos.yahoo.com/2011_nissan_juke_sl_awd/
188 HP Turbo with Intercooler
25/30 mpg

 

Both have the look of Toads to them. Pick your poison.

I think it is a real shame the Juke with it's torque vectoring awd only comes with a CVT. Holy carp what were they thinking?

 

Saw a Juke on the highway today. I wouldn't want to wake up to that every morning.

 

I like the look and interior space of the Countryman better but it looks as though the Juke has a better all wheel drive system and the Juke comes with more standard options. I would still get the Countryman but Juke will sell like hot cakes because of its cost point and targeted youth market being able to afford it.
the Countryman will sell like a boutique car, for a select market that can afford to pay for all the options and the exclusivity. Both good cars.

Just my take on it.

 

Agreed. I'm not buying a Countryman specifically because of it's AWD technology. It's just one part of the equation. I could not ever envision my wife and I selecting the Juke which to us is the automotive equivalent of budget hair plugs and collagen injections, at least for our demographic.

 

It looks like the Fired Pontiac Engineer, who came up with the AZTEC working for Nissan now.

 

One thing you probably can't compare is the rear passenger head room and entry. The pillars in Juke in combination with the the door design create a very uncomfortable entry for passengers. Countryman wins in rear passenger seating set-up, in my view.