MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 vs. Nissan Juke 1.6T by DRIVR magazine

First... the shot above is one of the best MINI Countryman photo I've encountered with so far. Taken by Ken Divjak of DRIVR magazine of Belgium, the fantastic setting and the dynamic angle/composition of the shot of Countryman in motion is simply amazing! There are other really cool shots included with the article as well. As for the comparison review itself (You will have to translate with Google as it is in Dutch), they say that while there are so many similarities between MINI Countryman and Nissan Juke, these two are also quite different as well. Who is the winner? Read more to find out.

[ Source :: DRIVR | Image : DRIVR ] 


FROM DRIVR magazine translation by Google

SHOOTOUT: NISSAN Juke 1.6T vs MINI Cooper S Countryman All4

Are you the sober type, then ordinary crossover vehicles with SUV features. Are you more cynical, then the compact SUV with no off-road capabilities. And you're Nissan, it is no less than your own invention. The rumors going around that even Nissan Jidōsha Kabushiki-gaisha (look for the brand at its full name) the term "crossover" gecoined at the launch of the Qashqai, but forgot to give an explanation. Or maybe BMW board know?

Seriously: crossovers are hot. So much so that its USP Mini Maxi creating a contempt order and a piece of cake to take supper. Not long Nissan's cash cow - but since that gasoline up to 140 horses, we have the smaller Juke cheated for a double test with the Countryman. The Juke is in fact for sale with a direct injection 1.6 turbo 190pk which in all likelihood the next Clio RS drives, while the Cooper S now also produces 184pk. The only hair in the butter oil is the drive wheel of the Mini, found in the Juke, then you get willy nilly a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with. And we're not so fond of. Still not as Nissan € 3.200 less a gearbox offers to the front wheels to command.

Close your eyes and you feel much Clio in the Juke - by those handy speed gearbox, the sporty pedals and the steering light is not adjustable in depth. The driving position is also compromised, as the front seats lack support for the inside track. And the Nissan despite its high design certainly capable, the nose is willing, the boundary traction and the ESP high-minded enough to see the whole character. Because let's be honest: how many crossovers panache you have a roundabout with a smoking inside wheel and tachometer in the red? To the surprise of diesel drivers anyway, since the Juke nearly eight seconds faster than his touch sprint suggests. For this implies that a new block with dual variable intercooler (both in and exhaust) and 240Nm from 2000 to 5800 rpm. Nice toys in this application lacks only one voice to entertain for long.

The Juke 1.6 DIG-T offers a serious dose of fun so, but not completely without error. Ills normally found in traditional media coverage, but even with the knife between our teeth are noticed. Thus, the Dynamic Control System that lets the driver choose between Eco, Normal and Sport as annoying as it is superfluous. Nuisance, since it uses the same display as the air conditioning settings (which are not visible), and unnecessary because only "Normal" provides an honest feeling. The bold snout is also under discussion, from inside it is indeed used to the two headlights of pimples disorienting at the apex or in narrow passages. And then there is the general level of finish is clearly in a different class than the Mini. Damping is excellent, and a more than acceptable test average of 10.9 liters per 100 kilometers sporting test.

After the Juke feels substantial to the Countryman. With its improved materials and Golf Plus dimensions, but also by the fact that just as ALL4 250kg heavier than the classic Mini. 70 of them are held by four-wheel drive (actually an electronic differential for up to 50% of power to the rear wheels) and you can feel from the first meters. Because what's with the other Mini turbo block known ever dared to be boisterous, it remains as stoic as ALL4 Zeno. Its performance is therefore better than one of comparatives superlatives, as if the volume is a good blow reversed. And that creates a driving experience that mature from the rough edges are planed, one that is little to be desired, but little to stoefen. With the exception of the damping is, because that is zeventienduimers better than ever thanks to the longer suspension travel - albeit still on the hard side.

Also commendable is the tuning of the Sport button that the weight of the wheel for the first time and not overdo throttle feasible means. In that position, the manual ALL4 S in 8.2 seconds for the 100 to go, but that's happened to us 163pk teruggeschroefde not copy. Fairer still, this Countryman feels never really quickly, which is anyway in favor of the lighter front-wheel drive goes. Moreover, 4 × 4 for our country about how effective the power thus to the ground. The standard S Countryman brings a fun enough to send the C-segmentation and the Gulf difficult to make, but not the playful Juke of crossover throne. At least not this surprisingly enjoyable 1.6 Tekna DIG-T for € 22,000 on your driveway is.

VERDICT
2nd Place : MINI Cooper S Countryman All4
1st Place : Nissan Juke 1.6T

Head over to DRIVR for the original article and great photos!

[ Source :: DRIVR | Image : DRIVR ]