To call the Nissan Juke a divisive car is putting it lightly indeed, and it’s one of those rare cars on today’s roads that absolutely everyone will have an opinion on, for better or for worse.

Hats off to it though, we say. In a world where nearly every car is starting to look so German, it’s nice to know that there are still some manufacturers unafraid to make something that bit different. At least it’s not a car you’ll ever lose in your local Tesco car park.

The little Juke also happened to be something of a real trendsetter when it first arrived too, and even now it still remains one of the top selling small crossovers in Britain. But a long time has passed since it kicked off the mini-SUV trend, so while it might be the original, is it still the best?

Performance

You can have your Juke with a variety of engines, from the entry-level 93bhp 1.5-litre petrol to a Renault-sourced 1.6-litre diesel and all the way up to the 187bhp 1.6-litre petrol that powers the hot Nismo RS version.

In our opinion, it’s the 114bhp 1.2-litre DIG-T engine that’s the pick of the bunch. Available in several of Nissan’s other cars like the Pulsar, it’s got enough punch to make it more entertaining than the diesel while it’s also low on emissions and more efficient than the other petrol options.

While 114bhp isn’t much these days, gobs of torque and short gearing means that the 1.2 Juke actually feels quite nippy when you’ve got your foot down and squirts up the road at a surprisingly brisk pace.

The Juke also features three selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. Plonk it into Sport mode and the throttle response sharpens up while a digital turbo gauge appears on the screen to please juveniles like ourselves.

0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds and it’ll top out at 111mph, which doesn’t make it mega quick but it isn’t bad for a car like this and it’s surely enough to cause the average driver to cock an eyebrow in surprise at how eager the little Juke feels.

Ride and Handling

It’s a pleasant car to drive in town, where most buyers are likely to drive it

While the 1.2 petrol is probably the pick of the bunch for fun factor, that’s pretty much as good as the Juke gets in terms of sportiness. The steering’s too light and dead even in Sport mode to really offer any confidence in its abilities, while the suspension lacks the depth of dynamic character achieved by sportier rivals like Mazda’s CX-3. Granted, it resists body lean well for such a tall car but the stiff suspension means it can clatter and judder over uneven surfaces and the large wheels fitted to our test car did little to improve comfort. It’s a pleasant car to drive in town though, where most buyers are likely to drive it, and its compact dimensions make navigating urban streets a breeze. Do be aware that the chunky pillars and high waistline can make visibility poor when pulling out of junctions, while the fact that the wheel adjusts for rake but not for reach means it can be tiresome to drive long distance. It’s things like this that mean the Juke isn’t anywhere near the top of its class in terms of on-road ability, though it must be said that the little 1.2-litre engine is a real highlight. It makes an otherwise fairly average small crossover entertaining to scoot along in, but the Juke can never really be called a fun car, and there is a difference.

Interior and Equipment

The Juke’s controversial appearance is actually inspired by the contoured design of the original glass Coca-Cola bottles

If there’s one thing the Juke can’t be accused of, it’s not having a personality. Our test car came complete with a bright yellow interior to match the yellow paintwork, the primary colours instantly dispelling any notion that this is one of them frumpy and boxy small SUVs. 'Funky' is one word you could use to describe it; 'vulgar' might be another, but while this particular option is a bit much for us personally it’s easy to understand why some buyers would find the Juke’s playful looks and attitude appealing. The cabin is an okay place to sit in as well, if a little cramped, though the heated leather seats that come fitted to this range-topping Tekna model are comfortable and the controls are all easy to read and use when on the move. Two display screens sit on the centre console, a touchscreen to access infotainment features and a smaller one below which houses both the air conditioning and Drive Mode selector. Both are on the small side and can be hard to concentrate on when you’re driving, and we can’t quite work out why Nissan wouldn’t have just made one larger screen to house all functions, but you get used to it quick enough. Equipment levels are pretty good too, with our car featuring cruise control, sat-nav and Bluetooth, along with a surround-view reversing camera and rear parking sensors which make parking the car a doddle. But while it’s got the chunky looks, the Juke is actually quite a compact car with a limited amount of space inside and this is definitely something to bear in mind if you’re in the market for a family car in particular. The sloping roofline means headroom is tight, while even children will outgrow the cramped rear seats quite quickly. In honesty, this is a car probably best suited to drivers to looking for an alternative to a supermini or city car. A 354-litre boot is decent and better than the older Jukes which only had 251 litres, but it’s still a long way off the best in the Juke’s class.

Cost

If low running costs are a priority, you’ll be better served by the 1.5-litre diesel engine

The Nissan Juke has always been great value for money, and the same is still true now. The basic model starts from £14,520 on the road while the range-topping Tekna trim we tested here starts from £19,085, undercutting many rivals by quite a few quid. In terms of running costs, the 1.2-litre petrol is about on par with its competition. Nissan says it’ll return 50.4mpg combined though we could coax only around 37mpg from in it in the week that we had it. If low running costs are a priority, you’ll be better served by the 1.5-litre diesel engine, which can return up to 70mph if you’re careful enough with your right foot.

Our Verdict

At the end of the day, the Juke will always remain one of those cars that you either just like, or you just don’t. Us? Well, we like to give the car credit where it’s due: it’s quirky, it’s playful and above all it’s different – that alone is worthy of praise. Its drawbacks can’t be ignored though, and although it might have been the car to kick off the mini-SUV trend, it hasn’t really been the pick of the bunch for quite a while now. That said, for many buyers its unique looks, decent amount of equipment and affordable pricing will be enough.