Compare and contrast Nissan Juke and BMW 128i Coupe - Essay Example

The Nissan Juke is a crossover series with a controversial design. It has its fans however, with its muscular profile and sporty dynamics. The Juke is targeted towards a younger demographic, but is very quick and agile despite its look. The Nissan Juke sports a turbocharged 1.6 liter inline-4, 188 horsepower with 177 pound-feet of torque. It has a continually variable transmission (CVT) with a manual shift capacity that comes standard. Stomp on the throttle and after a slight hesitation the Juke moves out swiftly.

So strong, in fact that the steering wheel jiggles with torque steer. It has power across a broader range of rpm’s and not a lot of whine from the turbo as it winds up. It was tested at a quarter mile, and came in a 15.5 seconds and zero to 60 in 7.3 seconds. From 60 mph to zero, it came in at 123 feet. The estimates for the Juke’s fuel economy are 27 city and 32 highway. With well weighted steering and buttoned down suspension, the Juke provides a decisive response. Coming in at $20,000 to $25,000, the Juke is also comfortable to drive.

Firmly padded seats, adjustable height and steering tilts help the driver find the ideal position. It also has all wheel drive, Bluetooth and iPod capability, side and curtain airbags, as well as stability and traction control. It also comes with emergency braking assist, engine immobilizer, whiplash protection system, tire pressure monitoring and vehicle alarm impact sensor. Although the Juke comes in as an average vehicle in terms of performance, dynamics, comfort, quietness, ergonomics, visibility, space and overall build quality, it is a good vehicle with a very unique look at a fair price.

With overall ownership costs for five years coming in at $31,595, and depreciation at $10, 932, it’s a good deal. The 2011 BMW 128i Coupe is a smaller but still sleek version of BMW’s 3 series. It doesn’t have a super sporty look to it, but it is fun to drive, has a playful character whose target audience is mid 30’s to late 40’s people. Although the 128i is the beginner BMW, it has a beautiful direct injection inline -6 with a twin scroll turbocharger. It delivers 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

This car comes with an optional dual clutch automated manual transmission, called DCT. The transmission provides an interaction that is gratifying as a manual, but smooth as an automatic. Given its powerful engine, and sports style handling, this is a very spiffy car to drive. It has extensive power at any range of rpm’s and low whine from the turbo. At the quarter mile test, the BMW did it in 14.3 seconds, with a zero to 60 in 5.9 seconds. From 60 mph to zero, it came in at 113 feet. Estimated economy for the BMW 128i is 18 city and 28 highway.

Coming in at just under $30,000, the BMW is also comfortable to drive. Eight way manual front seats, tilt and telescope steering, dual zone climate control and this is the epitome of comfort. It is rear wheel drive, iPod and Smartphone integration, front and rear head airbags, dual front side mounted airbags and 4 wheel ABS. it also comes with emergency braking assist, engine immobilizer, stability and traction controls, post=collision safety system, emergency braking preparation, tire pressure monitoring and an anti-theft alarm system.

The 128i comes in as above average in terms of performance, dynamics, comfort, quietness, ergonomics, visibility, space and overall build quality. It is a superior vehicle at a reasonable price. You get BMW’s reputation at a lower than expected cost. With overall ownership costs for five years coming in at $40, 526, with depreciation at $14,508 it’s not a great deal, but a fun, sporty car to drive. By comparison, the Juke is less expensive to own, has less horsepower and overall torque, but is reliable and sound.

It is not as fast as the BMW in the quarter mile, but it gets much better fuel economy. In regards to safety, it is comparable to the BMW, and along with much better fuel economy and a lower price, the Juke is the better deal of the two. Although the 128i is the baby of the BMW family and comes with what people have come to know and love about the beamer, it isn’t an economically sound choice. Edmunds, Inc. (2011) Find Your Next Car. Retrieved from: http://www.edmunds.com/ BMW of North America (2011) The BMW 128i Coupe.

Retrieved from: http://www.bmwusa.com/default.aspx Nissan U.S.A. (2011) Shift the Way You Move. Retrieved from: http://www.nissanusa.com/ Kelley Blue Book (2011) The Trusted Resource. Retrieved from: http://www.kbb.com/