2013 Nissan Juke

Nissan took the lead in producing some innovative crossovers. Following in the footsteps of the popular Qashqai, comes the Nissan Juke. It’s a size down from the Qashqai but it has adopted the same formula - a car type with a hint of SUV. It has the distinctive and unusual styling which tends to appeal to younger drivers, but has the practicality of an SUV. It is, however, built to drive and handle like a coupe, so already it seems like a better option than most of its rivals. The unique styling continues on into the cabin, the centre console looks well and there is a distinct feel of it being a modern, youthful car. There’s good space too, leg/headroom is decent and the boot is big enough for a fair amount of luggage. Behind the wheel, the driving position is nicely elevated, the handling is nice and crisp and there's plenty of feedback from the steering. As you’d expect in a Nissan, gear change is smooth and slick. There are some excellent engines; all have good fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.

• There have been some complaints that the cylinder heads can be faulty

• Looks fun but is practical; lots of room in the cabin and boot
• Generous amount of standard equipment and safety features
• There are some impressive engines
• It feels comfortable and refined on the move
• The cabin is comfortable and nicely designed

• The looks can be divisive