What is the Best Used Nissan SUV to Buy?

When it comes to purchasing a used vehicle, it is important to find a car that hasn’t had many recalls, is safe, and reliable. 

If you are looking to purchase a used Nissan SUV, there is one that stands out in comparison to the other Nissan models.

The overall best used Nissan SUV to purchase is the 2011 Nissan Juke. The 2011 model is a subcompact SUV that is highly rated for its minimal recalls, reliability, safety, and total cost of ownership. On Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle has a 4.3 consumer rating and is highly recommended by others.

If you are looking for a subcompact SUV that is sporty, safe, and affordable, you should consider looking into purchasing a used 2011 Nissan Juke. 

Let’s explore the benefits of the Juke!

Price of a Used 2011 Nissan Juke

Although car salesmen might save the financial talk for the end, let’s be upfront about the cost of a used 2011 Nissan Juke.

One of the reasons that this car is so highly regarded is due to its affordability. 

When the subcompact SUV was first being sold, the S model of the car was being sold for just under $20,000 while the more high-end packages, the SV and SL, were being sold at $21,000 and $23,000.

Now that the car has had time to depreciate, you can find a Nissan Juke for under $15,000 depending on the condition and mileage of the car.

Driving a 2011 Nissan Juke

Another important factor for purchasing a used car is the way that the car drives. 

According to US News and World Report, driving a used Juke is surprisingly crisp and has good handling. 

Kelley Blue Book also applauds the car for its intelligent all-wheel-drive package. 

The 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is the engine in all of the Juke packages, has high horsepower in comparison to other subcompacts. It has 188 horsepower, yet still offers great fuel economy.

In the city, the Juke gets 24-27 miles to the gallon. On the highway, it gets 30-32. 

Although the 2020 model has come far in fuel efficiency, the 2011 Nissan Juke had gas mileage that was above average in comparison to other cars in its class.

Juke owners boast about how fun the car is to drive. 

With the turbocharged engine and horsepower, the subcompact SUV feels sporty and fast.

It might not do the best over rough roads, but the all-wheel-drive makes the car a dream to drive in sleet, rain, or snow.

For as sporty as the 2011 Nissan Juke is, it is still a great car for commuting and driving around town.

2011 Nissan Juke Engine

As mentioned before, all 2011 Nissan Juke’s come with the 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. 

Each of these engines is classified as a “DIG” or direct injection gasoline car. It is important to mention that the Juke is also a manual car, which can play a large factor in purchasing a vehicle. 

If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, you might not want to drive a Juke.

If having a manual shift transmission doesn’t scare you away, there are a lot of reasons why you should consider purchasing a used Juke.

First of all, the engine gets 188 horsepower, which makes for a sporty SUV. 

Also, the Juke has 177 pounds-feet of torque from 2,000 to 2,500 revs, which gives the engine a lot of power.

One of the most fun features of the engine is how fast the car goes in comparison to other SUVs. 

With a front-wheel-drive and manual engine, the car can go from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds, which is pretty fast for a car of this size. 

Jukes with CVT or AWD are a bit slower than the front-wheel drive, but only by a few seconds.

2011 Nissan Juke Interior and Exterior Styling

One of the most prominent features of the 2011 Nissan Juke is the exterior style itself. 

It has one of those “love it or hate it” types of bodies. 

The style might not be everyone’s taste, but it just adds to the car’s sporty and fun style. 

On the bright side, you won’t have troubles deciphering which car is yours in the parking lot.

Although people might not like the Juke’s exterior, there is something to be said of the high-end interior finishes.

Not only is the interior fashionable, but it is also extremely functional.

The driver and passenger bucket seats are said to be very roomy and comfortable. 

The layout of the front two seats was definitely in mind when the car was being created. 

There is ample legroom, a raised center console, well-bolstered seats, three spoked driving wheel, and a well-positioned shift lever.

The back seats and cargo space of the car are one of the drawbacks to this car. 

Since the car was designed around the driver and passenger, there isn’t a lot of legroom or room in general for cargo. 

There are only 5 seats in the car, which doesn’t make for the best family transporter. However, if you don’t need to have three seats in the back, you can simply fold the rear seats so that you can have more cargo space.

2011 Nissan Juke Safety Scores

Another reason that the 2011 Nissan Juke is so highly regarded is because of the high safety scores. 

On US News and World Report, the SUV got an 8.2 safety rating overall, but let’s dig a little deeper and find out more about the safety score. 

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Nissan Juke got the best ratings on every category except for one, which was the “Small Overlap Front: Driver Side.”

The reason that this received lower ratings was that the experiment showed that those in the driver’s seat were more vulnerable to lower leg and foot injuries. 

Although this was not given the best ratings, the rest of the car, including the moderate overlap front, side, roof, head restraints, and seats were given top markings. 

Other Nissan SUVs To Consider

Nissan makes six styles of SUVs, and they all have different strengths. 

Before deciding which year of Nissan to buy, you’ll need to know which one is best for you and your family’s specific needs. 

The company itself has a record of innovation and strength when it comes to mid-sized SUVs. 

Originally a Japanese company, Nissan is not known for larger trucks, but the small sedans and crossover SUVs have won multiple awards throughout the world. 

Each of these vehicles has strengths and weaknesses. It depends on what you need it for. 

Some families need a more spacious SUV, while others are focused on winter tire usage. 

Although the strongest in most of these categories is the Pathfinder, you might decide that one of the other cars on this list fits you better. 

Nissan Pathfinder

Where the other SUVs on this list fall short in at least one category, the Pathfinder seems to answer them all.

It’s a mid-size RV that checks all the boxes: it’s safe, large, spacious, and good in all weather conditions. 

The Pathfinder is a popular model, so it’s relatively easy to find at used car dealerships. 

Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue is a mid-sized SUV, right between the huge Armada and the tiny Kicks.

It can seat five or seven people, depending on the model. 

The Rogue is one of the most reliable SUVs on the market and definitely worth the money. 

Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano has many accolades, including being one of the safest SUVs on the market. 

Its backseat has more space than any other SUV its size and can easily fit up to three car seats. 

The Murano also does well in winter and rainy conditions. 

It’s available from 2003 onward, with the best years being the early 2010s. 

Nissan Armada

The mother of all Nissan SUVs, the Armada has the body of a truck. 

It boasts the most cargo and foot space of all Nissan SUVs but still manages to drive smoothly like a smaller car. 

While the Armada is great for cross-country trips and larger families, it may not be the best fit for other families. 

Nissan Rogue Sport

The Rogue Sport is just what the name implies—a smaller, sportier version of the Rogue. 

It’s the second smallest SUV that Nissan currently offers. 

This size makes it an excellent choice for couples or small families on the go. 

The Rogue Sport is also a great city car and does well during urban winters. 

Nissan Kicks or Juke

The Nissan Kicks is the smallest Nissan SUV, having replaced the Nissan Juke in 2017.

You won’t find as many used Kicks, but Jukes are excellent options for a smaller SUV. 

If you don’t have too many other people and want a great car for the city, the 2011 or 2017 Juke is an amazing choice for a used car. 

Best Nissan SUV for Winter

Each of the Nissan SUVs has the option for four-wheel drive, except the Nissan Kicks. 

However, even the Kicks are good in the winter, especially in city driving. 

The best SUV for winter, however, is probably the Nissan Pathfinder. 

The Pathfinder is big enough that it can handle deeper snowdrifts but small and agile enough to be able to control well on slippery roads. 

Like other Nissan SUVs, the Pathfinder features 4X4 functionality and a complete four-wheel drive. 

You will be safe in winter with the Pathfinder. 

Best Nissan SUV for Legroom and Trunk Space

When it comes to space, the largest Nissan SUV is the Armada. 

It seats seven and still has a huge truck area. The Nissan Armada is one of the two SUVs that is a truck crossover. 

Even an older Nissan Armada will have more space than any of the other SUVs. 

However, any of the Nissan SUVs have great space for their size.

The Nissan Pathfinder is larger than the Rogue or the Kicks but not as huge as the Armada.

 It utilizes its space very well without compromising on style or function. 

Best Nissan SUV for a Family

Families need space for people, car seats, and all the luggage you need. A larger SUV is generally better for a family. 

A larger SUV, like the Pathfinder or the Armada, can seat seven or have large trunk space. 

The Armada is the largest of the Nissan SUVs but doesn’t always have the flexibility needed for a family. 

If you have a large family with older kids, the Armada is a great choice. 

However, a smaller family would work well in Pathfinder. 

Best Nissan SUV for Gas Mileage

The smaller the car, the better the gas mileage, as a rule. The best Nissan SUV for gas mileage is a used Kicks or a Juke. 

Either of these two cars will get an average of 18-20 miles per gallon in the city and upwards of 24 on the highway. 

For the larger SUVs, gas mileage is best in the Rogue or the Pathfinder. 

They aren’t quite as large as the Armada or the Murano, so they don’t use as much energy. 

Of course, a newer car will get better mileage than an older model.