Nissan Juke vs Ford Puma
What's the difference?

Nissan Juke

$22,990 - $36,485

2024 price

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Ford Puma

$14,990 - $24,990

2021 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Summary

2024 Nissan Juke

2021 Ford Puma

By Tom White

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 3, 1.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

5.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Funky looks
Decent interior space and boot
Full safety equipment

Strident performance
Driver-focused handling and control
Comfort and refinement

Dislikes

Frustrating dual clutch auto
Missing a few tech items rivals get
Could do with a hybrid version

Dreary dashboard presentation
No cheaper base-grade or manual options
Requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol

2024 Nissan Juke Summary

The Nissan Juke was meant to herald a new era for Nissan in Australia.

It was the first in a slew of new-generation SUVs and has now been joined by the Qashqai, X-Trail, and Pathfinder as part of a new-look Nissan.

Unlike those others, though, the Juke hasn’t quite resonated with buyers. Since arriving to what Nissan probably expected to be fanfare back in 2020, the new Juke has since sunk to the bottom of its compact SUV segment, outselling only a handful of other models.

So, what went wrong? Is the quirky styling of the Juke too much? Are there too many appealing choices in the compact SUV space? Alternatively, could the Juke be an underrated gem worth checking out?

I find myself in an upper mid-spec ST-L to find out.

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2021 Ford Puma Summary

S FAR as makeovers go, Hollywood has nothing on the transformation of Ford's small SUV.

Based on the Fiesta supermini only sold here in sizzling ST form, but using a stretched and widened version of its platform with heavily reworked underpinnings, the strikingly styled Puma is as charming – beguiling even – as its EcoSport predecessor was awkward. And we're talking about capabilities that are more than merely skin deep here.

We're not alone in our admiration – one respected UK publication awarded the Ford a 'car of the year' gong – and after nearly a month with our range-topping ST-Line V (for Vignale), we can understand why.

But the German-engineered, Romanian-made Puma is also a complicated proposition in Australia that requires some context, because it is certainly not for everyone.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Nissan Juke 2021 Ford Puma

Verdict

The Juke is a fun little car. It looks cool, it packs most of the important features and safety equipment, but while it can be fun to drive, it’s also a little clunky around town.

It’s so frustrating, because there is a great car in there somewhere, and it would take only small tweaks and enhancements to bring it out.

Verdict

If a minimum price and maximum interior space are your priorities, then the Puma is not for you. Especially so in the flagship ST-Line V, which may seem too small and a tad cramped compared to, say, a Seltos, C-HR or ASX.

Where the Ford excels, typically, is in the way it encourages the keen driver while cosseting four occupants (and a surprising amount of their cargo). There's a poise and maturity to the way the Puma moves that puts it on a par with or even beyond some premium compact SUVs. Even the styling is a statement. If the badges (and dashboard) were covered, you might be convinced this cat is actually a Jag.

If all that is more important, then the ST-Line V is for you. The very antithesis, then, of the unassuming and unloved EcoSport the Puma usurps.

Nissan Juke vs Ford Puma What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Nissan Juke vs Ford Puma
What's the difference?