Nissan Juke 1.6 Turbo Nismo 4WD CVT 5dr Car Review - June 2013

Nismo is an abbreviation of 'Nissan Motorsport' and is the first performance version of the Juke that has crossed British shores, with the engine offering an additional 8bhp to the standard 1.6 litre engine. This helps to give the give the car the ability to go from 0-62mph in a tidy 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 124mph, which is not bad at all considering that this is the four wheel drive version of the vehicle. Refinement is still generally good despite the sportier performance, with a little bit of wind noise being the main irritant while driving at motorway speeds.

Getting comfortable is not a problem, with the excellent sport seats being easy to adjust, while offering plenty of side support to keep the driver and passenger in place while negotiating the corners. The centre console is generally easy to use while driving, and helps provide good access to the features included with this version of the car.

The styling kit that has been added to the standard Juke package is likely to be divisive, with looks aimed to appeal to younger drivers and a large air intake and chrome detailing around the car highlighting the bulging body kit. The contrast wing mirrors and the spoiler at the back of the car also help to highlight the sportier features in this Juke. The split-spoke alloy wheels help to finish off the look, which is certainly going to stand out when compared with many other vehicles on British roads.

The level of equipment included with the Nismo is generally very good, with leather seats and satellite navigation helping to give the cabin a premium feel, while the Dynamic Control System is also an innovative feature. Rain sensing wipers and a reversing camera also helps to make the car an easy companion while driving, while cruise control and climate control make the Juke a civilised car on the motorway.

The original Juke was marketed as a crossover between a 4x4 and a standard hatchback, and this means that it still enjoys a good level of practicality, with a cabin that offers plenty of legroom and headroom for four adults. While the boot isn't huge, the back seats do fold completely flat to offer additional load space where necessary.

The Juke achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, and comes with a good package of six air bags to help look after the driver and passengers. The car is also supplied with traction control to help keep it under control, and those with larger families will be pleased with the three point seat belt in the centre seat in the rear of the car. Nissan is known for making reliable vehicles, and this version of the Juke should be no different.

The list price of £22,600 does mean that it is in the price bracket for those who are looking for a hot hatch, and the bold looks are likely to draw many fans for this version of the car. Running costs for this version are slightly higher than the front wheel drive model, with the 1.6 litre engine offering an average 38.2mpg, while the insurance group isn't as expensive as many other hot hatchbacks.

Resale values for the Nissan Juke have been strong so far, and this version should also be popular on the second hand market, although it is worth looking after the alloy wheels and the seats to get the best prices. The car is delivered with an on the road package of a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has a three year roadside breakdown assistance policy.