Who would have thought that the quirky-looking Juke, with it’s bug-eyed face and raised haunches would prove such a runaway hit. There’s no disputing that it’s looks divided opinion. Whenever I saw one – and I’ve seen a lot because Nissan sold a lot – I was never quite sure whether I wanted to laugh or cry.

Still, what do I know? Not a lot, by all accounts because whatever I thought of its looks, the original Juke sparked a revolution. It’s a car – an SUV with the footprint of a small hatchback – that people didn’t even know they wanted until Nissan built it. Other manufacturers quickly introduced their own models – with varying success – but it was the Juke that has consistently led the market.

Still, as you get older it becomes harder to get by on just your looks alone, you need a little substance beneath the façade and, so, here we are with the second generation model.

The first question that should be addressed is, how does it look? I think it’s best described as a little more “ordinary”, but just a little. Nissan have retained that bug-eyed look and the distinctive haunches and rising windowline, but the 3D arrowhead light clusters have been replaced with sleeker, more sophisticated-looking units. Overall, the company has done an excellent job of retaining the car’s individuality while giving it a more contemporary makeover.

Anyone who has driven the first generation will appreciate the step-up in quality when you climb inside. It boasts a significant improvement in both build and material quality. Range-topping trims like Tekna+ are wrapped in swathes of Alcantara and glossy black plastic that add a real upmarket ambience to the cabin. Even the turbine-style air vents, with their metal-like finish, feel satisfyingly robust.

It isn’t perfect – there are some hard plastics on the tops of the doors that are a little disappointing – but in terms of overall material quality, the Juke stands comparison with, and bests, most of its rivals. In fact, it’s only premium manufacturers that can claim to have more impressive cabins.

Drivers should find it much easier to get comfortable thanks to a steering wheel that now adjusts for reach as well as rake. This wasn’t the case with the first gen model. There’s no lumbar support, which may or may not be an issue for some on longer journeys. I certainly didn’t have cause to lament its omission during my week with the car.

The view out of the front and sides is quite good thanks to a relatively lofty seating position and narrow A-pillars. That rising windowline, thick rear pillars and a small rear windscreen mean obscure the view out the back, however. There is some assistance in the form of a rear-view camera on Acenta-trim and above. Tekna and Tekna+ models are also fitted with a 360 degree system that gives the driver a top-down view of the car and its surrounds, making manoeuvring in confined spaces much easier.

There’s plenty of space for tall people in the front thanks to a generous amount of headroom and seats that slide a long way back. The amount of legroom n the rear is surprisingly impressive and there’s ample room to accommodate two six-footers in tandem. Headroom is merely adequate, though, so bouffant hairstyles are out of the question.

Infotainment needs are served via a very basic monochrome system in the entry-level Visia trim. You do get DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB socket, however. Step up to Acenta time and you’ll find a much more satisfying eight-inch colour touchscreen mounted high in the centre of the dash. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. N-Connecta trim and above adds built-in sat-nav.

The screen isn’t the sharpest and there is a noticeable amount of lag between touching the screen and it responding. Some of the icons are on the small side too, making them difficult to hit on the move. Thankfully there’s a row of shortcut buttons below the screen to simplify navigation and Nissan have seen fit to retain physical controls for the air con too. There’s some “clutter” I just can’t do without.

The eight-speaker Bose audio system which is standard on Tekna and Tekna+ models is excellent and includes some rather snazzy speakers that resemble headphones built into the side of the headrests.

The only engine available at the moment is a 115bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which you can mate with either a six-speed manual or DCT automatic. Keep the revs above the 2,000-mark and it proves pretty perky, as demonstrated by the reasonably spritely 10.4-second zero to 62mph sprint. The manual gearbox is light but there are more precise units out there.

It’s also quite refined, with little more than the occasional high-pitched whistle from the turbocharger for company when you drive with a little more enthusiasm. Unfortunately all that good work is undone by the amount of wind and road noise that permeates the cabin.

The Juke does a good job of smoothing out most of the bigger bumps and other imperfections but it can be a bit fidgety over smaller bumps in built-up areas or on faster roads. It can be particularly draining driving quickly along winding country roads with high-frequency bumps and lumps.

Body-roll is reined in admirably for a high-riding compact SUV and there’s a decent amount of grip, too. That doesn’t mean it’s a huge amount of fun if you’re a keener driver, however, because there’s a disconnect between driver and road.

The Juke isn’t without its weaknesses – the handling isn’t the sharpest and some rivals are more spacious – but equipment levels are good if you avoid the entry-level Visia trim and the interior is certainly among the very best in its class.

Nissan Juke Tekna

Price: £24,460

As tested: £25,435

Engine: 1.0 DIG-T 117

Transmission: 7-speed DCT

Max power: 117PS

Max torque: 180 @ 1,750 – 4,000rpm

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 11.1

Fuel consumption (WLTP) mpg:

35.8 (low)

47.9 (medium)

52.3 (high)

40.9 (extra high)

44.1 (Combined)

Emissions (CO2): 116g/km

For more information visit www.nissan.co.uk

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