PLAYING ITS OWN TUNE

Turbocharged Nissan Juke compact SUV is definitely one outside the conventional box

Trendsetting has been the trajectory of the Nissan Juke from day one.

Launched in Australia during 2013, the styling drew dramatically contrasting perspectives. Despite its compact dimensions, the Juke is bold and proud with bulging wheel arches combined with muscular lines.

Arriving about the same time as Mitsubishi’s ASX, they were the trailblazers in what has become a segment more popular than pursed lips on Instagram.

The small SUV segment has since been besieged with new additions, with the Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and the equally sharp-looking Toyota C-HR among the genre’s most popular.

Resigned to the shadows, those who like the Juke’s styling can currently jag a bargain as it aims to compete with the influx of competition.

Currently the Ti-S is available for $33,990 drive-away — essentially a saving of all on-road costs.

VALUE

Sitting mid-rung on the Juke tree since a flashy Nismo derivative was introduced last year, the Ti-S still gets some impressive fruit to warrant the price tag north of $30K.

Among the inclusions are 18-inch black glossy alloys, push-button start, six-speaker CD stereo with a 5.8-inch touch-screen and in-built satnav, leather-accented seat trim, heated front seats along with auto wipers and lights.

Basic external colour options are white and red, costing $550 extra are ivory, black, platinum, blue or gun metallic.

Personality is integral to the Juke’s appeal and the Ti-S can be individualised inside and out.

There are $800 “myJuke” packs where the compact SUV can feature coloured highlights on the bumpers, wheel inserts and mirror caps. While inside there are blue, black or orange treatments available for the console, air vents and door trims. Not all colour configurations are available ... some people need protection from themselves.

Capped servicing is $2197 for six maintenance visits, plus $32 for brake fluid every two years or 20,000km, while intervals are annual or every 10,000km.

All Nissans have three-year or 100,000km coverage.

SAFETY

The Juke scored five stars when tested back in 2011, it wouldn’t get close now due to the absence of the latest active technology.

There is no issue with the car’s structural integrity and it does come with blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, tyre pressure monitoring and an around-view monitor.

DRIVING

Motivating the Juke is an energetic turbocharged four-cylinder engine which offers some serious zip off the line.

With grip from all four wheels and equipped with torque vectoring, that can automatically send power to individual corners, it’s a surprisingly fun drive especially when the going gets twisty.

Aiding the cornering prowess is independent rear suspension (manual and base models get a torsion beam) and 18-inch rubber. There are also three drive modes, normal, sport and economy, offering varying levels of throttle response and steering weight depending on how spirited you’re feeling.

The high-riding driving position will find favour with those seeking extra vision, but the Juke feels more car-like with it’s ability to carve into the bends and rip away from the lights.

One trade-off with the suspension set-up that virtually eliminates body roll is a firm ride and road rumble at highway speeds. Those who stay in town or in suburban areas will barely notice the shortcomings, except on speed bumps and poor quality bitumen.

Fuel consumption is relatively thrifty at less than seven litres for every 100km, but it does require premium 95 unleaded.

Boot space is compact at just over 200 litres while the console (modelled on a motorcycle fuel tank) has dual cup holders and a small spot for your phone below the centre stack — the hand brake is positioned on the left side showing its overseas origins.

HEAD SAYS

Life doesn’t need to be mundane, the Juke