Nissan Juke 1.5 dCi Acenta + Sport Pack 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The driving experience for the Juke is very good, and although it is quite a tall car, it really does handle like a sporty hatchback, and the feedback through the wheel makes it great fun. The suspension may be a little stiff for some, but it isn't uncomfortable and this helps to ensure that the body roll when cornering is kept to a minimum. The higher driving position means that forward visibility is improved, but the small rear window means that visibility to the back of the car could be improved.

Many people may think that the 1.5 dCi engine would be a little weedy, but in reality it can deliver some reasonable performance figures. The top speed of 109mph is perfectly adequate for travelling on the motorway, and the acceleration from 0-62mph is a good 11.2 seconds. The Juke is bigger than a sporty hatchback, but this doesn't stop it from being a good car to drive.

The front of the Juke is one of the most interesting things about the car, and the three tiers of lights certainly help to make the look of the car unusual. The air vent along the bottom of the front bumper is also interestingly shaped, and the shape of the wheel arches is echoed in the bodywork itself, making it truly unique in its shape. The interior also has a high quality look, and the chunky controls for the stereo and buttons mounted on the steering wheel are very good innovations.

This particular version of the Juke may not be the cheapest, but it is certainly given plenty of features, and the Bluetooth connectivity and hands free phone kit will be a bonus to those who like to keep in touch on the go. Cruise control and climate control are all featured in this edition of the Juke, and the alloy wheels are also nice to have and improve the overall look of the car.

One of the benefits of a crossover car is that it does improve the overall space available, and the legroom in the rear means that it can comfortably accommodate four if not five people. The boot space isn't particularly good, but the folding rear seats do give the car a level of flexibility in the loading space. Nissan are known for producing cars that are efficient and reliable, and so far the Juke is living up to that reputation.

In terms of the safety features available on the Juke, it does have the standard number of airbags on a vehicle of this kind, and the driving aids such as traction control, ESP and ABS all help to keep the driver and passenger safe. This helped the Juke to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.

The price for this version of the Nissan Juke is £16,395, which does put it in competition with mid-sized hatchbacks, and the level of equipment will make the Juke an attractive proposition for families that want a little more flexibility.

The diesel engine is able to deliver reasonable fuel efficiency, achieving an average 57.6mpg, and the relatively low insurance group will also help avoid the insurance premiums getting too high. Depreciation on larger cars such as this one does tend to be lower, although the Juke is quite a new model and this is yet to be seen. A three year warranty with three year's RAC roadside breakdown assistance complete the package offered by Nissan for this car.