- The electric-only third-generation Juke will go on sale in Europe next spring.
- It will be sold alongside an updated version of the current hybrid model.
- Both generations of the Juke will be made in the UK.
The Nissan Juke has never matched other subcompact crossovers. It had a striking design from day one, and although it was a risky bet, it paid off in the end. In Europe alone, Nissan has sold 1.5 million units since the original debuted in 2010, replaced nine years later by an equally polarizing second generation. Fast forward to 2026, and the third generation model is here, looking even more eccentric.
The all-new Juke is full of edge and stands out in a segment dominated by curvy, often bulbous crossovers. We think Nissan must have used a razor blade during the design process, as the body has sharp angles. Even one of the wheel designs gives off a strong concept feel, ditching conventional spokes in favor of a pixelated pattern.
Like the previous two generations, the rear door handles are “hidden” in the pillars to create the illusion of a two-door coupe. Overall, you’d be hard-pressed to guess the origami-like new Juke is closely related to the more conventional-looking Leaf, as both share the same CMF-EV platform. Yes, the next Juke will be electric, and only electric.
Photo by: Nissan
However, Nissan will not say goodbye to the second generation. Current hybrid cars will continue to be used, which seems like a smart move, as using electric vehicles alone would be premature. Both versions will be built at the Sunderland factory in the UK, with the third generation scheduled to launch in Europe next spring.
For now, Nissan is only showing the exterior design. We’ll have to wait a little longer to see the interior and learn its technical specifications. Considering the new Juke is so close to the Leaf, it’s worth noting that the Leaf is sold in Europe with two battery packs: 52 kWh and 75 kWh. It offers a WLTP range of 271 miles (436 kilometers) with the standard battery and up to 375 miles (604 kilometers) with the larger battery.
If it follows the Leaf formula, the new Juke will most likely be front-wheel drive, with a single motor driving the front wheels. The base Leaf makes 174 hp and 255 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque, while the more powerful version makes 215 hp and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. The latter takes 7.6 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h).
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Source: Nissan
Motorcycle Pickup1: It’s understandable if the arrangement doesn’t suit your taste. “Wacky” doesn’t even begin to describe the exterior of the new Juke, but that’s precisely the point. If you want to fly under the radar, the Leaf is by far the safer choice. For those who want to stand out, the Juke’s highly sculpted body is a surefire way to make a splash.
While concept cars like the 2023 Hyper Punk often feature excessive amounts of detail, Nissan has surprisingly managed to retain much of its essence in the production-ready Juke. Of course it’s not for everyone, but it’s worthy of praise: the company deserves credit for daring to greenlight such a radical design.
