The Nissan Juke will reportedly be discontinued in North America, according to multiple sources.
When you burst out guns blazing from the get-go, it’s sometimes difficult to follow up with an impressive sequel. Such is the case with the Juke, which will have no second generation model in North America.
According to two sources familiar with Nissan’s future product plans who spoke with on the condition on anonymity, the Japanese automaker will kill off the funky four-wheel-drive subcompact crossover after the 2017 or 2018 model year and replace it — in body and name — with the Aguascalientes-built Nissan Kicks.
ALSO SEE: 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport Review
Nissan representatives said they would not comment on future product.
The Juke entered the North American market in 2010 to mixed reception thanks to its Kermit-like posture and awkward front styling.
Inspired by the GT-R-powered Juke R, Nissan attempted to offer increased performance to enthusiasts during the Juke’s later model years when it cranked up the Juke’s 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and added NISMO badging.
Still, all was for naught, it seems. Juke found just 19,577 driveways in the United States in 2016, down from its peak of 38,184 units sold in 2014, according to GoodCarBadCar.
In global markets, both the Juke and Kicks are powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine, but don’t expect that engine for North America. It’s more likely the Kicks will arrive with the Juke’s 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder. However, the sources claim the replacement may arrive without all-wheel drive.
