Nissan Juke vs Polestar 2

What's the difference?

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.

The Polestar 2 Long range Single motor showcases a beautiful build and design. Not including the features from those optional packs just makes you focus on their individual price and devalues the relative affordability of the car compared to its competitors. The back seat isn't super passenger friendly when it comes to space, either. However, once you get used to its little quirks, it's a great car to get around in and the long driving range eases any range anxiety, which is often a cause for worry with EV ownership! My son loved the sunroof because it made him feel like he was in a spaceship, so it's a hit with the kids, too.

Urban style is clearly what the Juke is about. It’s always been about this, but the original incarnation, while unusual, was a bit bulbous and awkward. The current version is a razor-sharp re-interpretation of the original.

Ugly duckling no more, the Juke blends the elements of Nissan’s current design language with its own unique take, in a clever way.

The roofline and bulbous face of the original car, complete with its ‘eye’ headlights are all maintained, but this time they look more contemporary with a splash of chrome and gunmetal plastic in the face, offset by gloss blacks running down the doorline.

The new light fittings look great and the curviness is also gently off-set with some sharp angles. The massive 19-inch wheels finished in a two-tone gloss black and aluminium brush keep this car looking like a concept come to life. Just don’t crash them into the curb. It would be very easy to.

The cool elements continue inside, with rotary air vents, a blend of textures, including a gloss grey for the vent claddings, with white stitching for the wheel, seat, and into the door cards, too.

There are touches of chrome about the place, and an ambient red LED light surrounding the shifter, which sits on its own little pedestal thing.

It’s quirky and punches above its weight when it comes to soft trims in the doors. Like most higher-grade Nissans the seats are pretty comfy, too, clad in a hard-wearing synthetic leather material.

But it won’t be for everyone, and it’s not without its downsides. The abundance of grey plastic down the centre console is a bit cheap, and the tech offering doesn’t match the youthful style.

The centre screen is adequate, but compared to many rivals it’s a bit small and dull, and the Juke is still missing a digital overhaul for its instrument cluster.

The black headlining, usually reserved for sportier cars, makes the cabin feel smaller than it is.

The Polestar 2 has a more conventional design approach than some of its rivals but it maintains a futuristic EV vibe with its origami-like edges in the panelling and cool pixel LED lights at the front and rear.

It is not a large car and sits at 4606mm long, 1985mm wide and a low 1479mm high but that compact design makes it look sporty.

Expect a couple of grunts from the oldies (ahem) when exiting as ground clearance is 151mm at the front and 167mm at the rear.

The interior is pared back in true Scandinavian fashion but it's a nice to see some ethically-friendly design elements, like the vegan knit upholstery on the doors and dash and the Nappa leather is responsibly sourced. All of which makes an otherwise simple interior feel warm and inviting.

There is an overwhelming sense of the Polestar 2 being of a high-quality build. There are no squeaks or rattles, joinery is flush and the doors close with a soft thump.

However, the minor update still sees the dashboard headlined by a portrait-orientated iPad-looking 11.2-inch multimedia system. It seems at odds with the rest of the sleek design.

The panoramic sunroof creates a light-filled cabin and at certain times of the day, this makes it feel airy but underneath a blazing midday sun, you might miss having a sunblind for it.

The Juke is a small SUV in the true sense of the word, sitting below the Qashqai which is more like a mid-sizer these days in terms of dimensions.

However, it’s quite cleverly packaged on the inside and is more useful than it first appears.

The front seats, for example, offer heaps of headroom and a surprising amount of width, and while the seats are manual, they’re pretty adjustable. I was able to find a great seating position.

There are big pockets in the doors with an integrated bottle holder suitable for even the largest bottles, although the centre console area is a bit less versatile, choosing its funky design over additional storage.

It features two good bottle holders, but a tiny armrest box and a shallow tray with one 12V socket and a USB-A outlet, as well as an auxiliary audio input under the climate controls.

On the topic of climate controls, I love the fact the Juke maintains a dedicated ventilation panel complete with buttons and dials for all the core functions. No touchscreen nonsense here.

The media screen, as mentioned, is a tad small, and falls victim to glare easily.

The stock Nissan software is a massive upgrade on the brand’s previous-generation products, but while it’s functional it’s far from the prettiest or the fastest on the market.

The back seat offers more space than you might assume, but it’s not as well thought-out as the front of the cabin. At 182cm tall I fit behind my own driving position with just enough space for my knees and just enough headroom.

There are decent bottle holders in the doors, and a further two small ones in the drop-down armrest. The backs of the front seats are clad in that synthetic leather material, which is nice, and have soft pockets, too.

The back of the front centre console offers just a single USB-A outlet and a small cubby. There are no adjustable air vents for rear passengers. It also feels a little claustrophobic back there thanks to the black trim on everything and smaller windows.

Boot capacity for the Juke is impressive for an SUV in this class, with 422 litres on offer, which is close to the volume we’d expect from something a size-bracket up, and 1305L with the second row folded down. There is a space-saver spare under the boot floor.

The Polestar 2's cabin is generous up front with plenty of leg- and headroom to enjoy. You don't have to jostle for premium armrest position, either, which is nice given you still feel 'tucked' into the car.

A feeling that is enhanced by the solid, and rather tall, centre console that divides you from your co-pilot.

The electric front seats are delightfully comfortable with their padding and Nappa leather trim. Both feature four-way adjustable lumbar support and extendable under thigh support.

The heat and ventilation functions will ensure comfort, no matter the season but the ventilation system is quite loud.

In the rear, space is tight with my 168cm (5'6") height just fitting behind my driving position. The footwells seem cosy as well due to the limited under-seat space but the seats are fairly comfortable, if narrow.

However, the small door apertures in the rear and the narrow seats make it feel more suited as a four- than a five-seater.

Individual storage options are okay throughout the car with a couple of cupholders in each row, drink bottle holders in the front door storage bins, as well as a middle console and glove box.

There are two skinny shelves on either side of the centre console that would reasonably fit a wallet or phone and the rear also get two map pockets.

Amenities in the rear are enough to satisfy a mature occupant on a longer journey as the outboard seats feature a heat function and there are directional air vents, a fold down armrest and two USB-C ports.

Front occupants enjoy two USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad to charge their devices.

The rest of the technology is a bit awkward to use. The 11.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system is responsive to touch but you can't access a lot of basic information on it and I didn't like how the climate control is embedded in it as you have to touch the screen a few times to even see the controls.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel looks nice but isn't all that customisable. It takes a while to get used to how to access all of its functions, too.

It's easy to connect to the wired Apple CarPlay and there is wired Android Auto and in-built google apps, too.

The optioned Harman Kardon sound system with its 13 speakers means you can listen to your music as if you're in a private show performed by your favourite artist!

To round out the practicality of this sedan, the boot is large enough to carry your gear at 405L and the large compartment underneath the floor is super handy to store smaller items.

There is a panel that lifts up to make a cosier storage area, say if you only had a couple of bags of groceries you didn't want rolling around.

And because the Polestar 2 lacks an engine, there is frunk storage of 41L at the front which is perfect for any charging cables.

The compromise for getting all of this space is that you only get a tyre inflator repair kit, which is housed in the frunk storage area.

And lastly, having a powered tailgate is always a bonus but I miss having a good old-fashioned button on the boot lid to open it.

There are four variants available for the Polestar 2 and our test model is the Long range Single motor which costs $71,400, before on road costs and before any optional packs or paintwork options.

Relative to its nearest competitors, it seems like the most affordable but our model has been optioned with a few packs, which add a host of features that mostly come standard on its rivals.

Standard items include 19-inch alloy wheels, frameless side mirrors (very cool), pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beam and some decent technology, like four USB-C ports, an 11.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. But more on tech later.

Our test model has the 'Pilot Pack' fitted, which tacks on $3500 and includes safety items like 'Emergency Stop Assist', which brings the car to a halt safely if the driver is unresponsive, and adaptive cruise control with 'Pilot Assist' (helps keep the car in its lane).

Our test model also has the 'Plus Pack' which adds luxury items like a panoramic sunroof, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, powered front seats with four-way lumbar support, extendable under-thigh support and net map pockets.

You'll also enjoy 'vegan knit' upholstery trims on the doors, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear outboard seats, as well as a powered tailgate with foot sensor, all for an additional $6000.

But wait, we're not done. Our model also has the optional Nappa leather upholstery which includes a ventilation function on the front seats for an eye-watering $6000 extra.

So, when it's all done and dusted… this model will actually set you back $86,900, before on roads. That puts it on par with its rivals but it's a bit of a bugbear of mine when the pricing is set out like this as it makes it feel more expensive for some reason.

I like the fact that Polestar throws in the carpet mats and a charging cable but the paintwork options are a little expensive at $1500 and only one colour ('Magnesium') is included.

In the Juke’s messy engine bay lies a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine which sends 84kW/180Nm to the front wheels.

Nissan has its own 'HR10DET' engine code for this unit but it’s actually a Renault 'H5Dt' engine as evidenced by Renault logos all over the place.

Power is communicated by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic which has been a source of strife for this car since it arrived. This very European engine and transmission combination is one which the Juke shares with its Renault Captur cousin.

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I would prefer a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which Nissan uses elsewhere in its range. It would solve maybe the main issue with this car, which we’ll explore up next in the driving section of this review

The name of our model says it all, as it has a long range, single motor electric powertrain.

Coupled with a large 82kWh lithium-ion battery, which is a 4.0kWh increase from the previous model, the maximum power output is 220kW and 490Nm of torque, which is also up from the previous model.

The Polestar 2 is now rear-wheel drive, superceding the previous front-wheel drive model.

The regen braking isn't as strong as the previous model and although it is called 'one-pedal' braking on this system, it's not truly a one pedal driving experience.

You can change the strength levels from low to standard and I kept it in low for most of the week.

One of the reasons this car comes equipped with a dual-clutch automatic is to chase fuel efficiency as well as emissions output. On paper DCT autos don’t suffer the inherent losses of a traditional torque converter transmission.

The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 5.8L/100km. My week of driving, weighted slightly more towards freeway conditions, produced a marginally higher average of 6.8L/100km. It’s not the claim, but it’s pretty good.

This little engine requires mid-shelf 95RON unleaded fuel, and the Juke has a 46-litre fuel tank, suggesting a driving range of 793km using the official fuel consumption number.

The Polestar 2 Long range Single motor has a great driving range of up to 655km (WLTP). Goodbye range anxiety!

It also has a Type 2 CCS charging port and can accept charging speeds of up to 205kW, which is 50kW more than the previous model, and that means you can hook up to an ultra-fast 350kW charger.

On DC you can expect to see a charge time of 28 minutes to get from 10 to 80 per cent. On an 11kW AC charger, expect to see that time jump to around eight-hours for a zero to 100 per cent charge.

The official energy consumption figure is 14.8kWh (WTLP) but my on-road average was 15.0kWh after a fair bit of open-road driving, which is a great result.

The Juke can be fun to drive, and I wanted to like it more, but the transmission its peppy little engine is paired with is frustrating.

Outputs of 84kW/180Nm doesn’t sound like a lot, but power isn’t the problem. The little engine has a fun turbo-surge which pairs with the Juke's light frame to make for a car which is quite athletic when you push it.

The issue is a mountain of turbo-lag conspires with the clunky dual-clutch automatic to make it far too sluggish off the line.

There’s a full second (or two, at times) to wait for any power to arrive, which simply isn’t good enough at T-junctions and roundabouts, the kind of situations a little urban SUV like this will constantly be encountering.

Nissan says the transmission software was even updated after the Juke’s launch, but it’s still not where it should be.

It has good traits, too. When you’re out on the open road, it has quick, snappy and well-defined shifts, and the engine is much better when it’s being properly pushed, too.

It has a gruff, entertaining tone, and the Juke’s light frame, firm ride, and comparatively heavy steering make it a joy to throw into some corners.

The long wheelbase for such a small SUV, paired with a decent set of tyres, also keeps it confident when its predecessor was a little clumsy.

Again, though, the reasonably hard ride, not helped by the very large wheels, isn't its best trait in an urban environment. The Juke is by no means uncomfortable, it just seems like the priorities for this little SUV aren’t in the right place.

I’ve said this before but there’s a great car in here somewhere. The Juke is fun to drive in the right environment, it’s just this environment is not where most prospective buyers will primarily be looking to use it.

What could fix this issue? A different transmission perhaps. Better yet, an e-Power hybrid powertrain.

The Polestar 2 is a pretty conventional car to drive because an EV newbie will be comfortable behind the wheel… once they start driving it!

You see, there is no 'ignition' switch but so long as you have the key with you, you simply get in and shift into gear to 'start it' or get out and lock the car to 'turn it off'. It's weird and I'm not sure I will ever get used to it!

The motor has a lot of grunt and it's fun to put your foot down whenever you need to get up to speed or overtake. The power output is responsive and well-balanced with the rear-wheel drive delivering a sporty on-road experience.

If you're tackling winding roads or sharper corners, you can customise your steering responsiveness to 'light', 'standard' or 'firm' but remained on standard for most of the week. It's the best mode to handle stop-start running in town and highway cornering.

The Polestar 2 sits quite low to the ground and feels stable when you hit corners or the open-road. Although, the suspension feels on the firm side, which can make a bumpy road very noticeable.

Overall, the parking experience is good but the 360-degree view system is just too wiggy-woo for me to love it.

The images from the four cameras aren't well-stitched together and the angles seem to distort the overall image, too. It just looks confusing. So much so that you might not depend on it all that much.

When it comes to safety the Polestar 2 doesn't quite have the same level of standard features as its parent company Volvo is renowned for.

It has the necessities for a family car, but having to fork out extra for adaptive cruise control feels a bit cheeky.

The update sees some previously optional features come as standard now, such as rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree view camera and blind-spot monitoring.

The following safety features come as standard at this grade level - LED daytime running lights, forward collision warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, lane keeping assist, lane departure alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

The Polestar 2 achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2021 and has a total of eight airbags, including a drivers' knee airbag and front centre bag. 
The autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection is operational from 4.0-85km/h (up to 205km/h for car detection).

If you need to fit a child seat or two (definitely not three), there are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seats and three top tethers.

Nissan offers the Juke with a five-year, unlimited km warranty, with five-years of roadside assist included.

It requires servicing every 12 months or 20,000km and the cost is subject to a capped price servicing program for the first six years.

This averages $651.33 annually, which is not cheap for a small SUV in this class.

However, there is also the option of a pre-paid five-year service plan which brings the annual cost over five years down to a more reasonable $429.60.

But, notably, it does not include the pricy $1521 sixth-year interval. It’s worth asking yourself how long you’ll own the car for before splurging on it.

The ongoing costs for the Polestar 2 are fantastic because the servicing costs are complimentary for the first five-years or up to 100,000km, whichever occurs first!

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every two years or 30,000km, which is a usual term to see for an EV.

The normal car components are covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty but the battery is covered by an eight-year or up to 160,000km warranty.