Nissan Juke - Interior, design and technology

The second-generation Nissan Juke is instantly recognisable as an evolution of the original compact crossover. The car’s slim daytime running lights and oversized headlamps mimic the old version’s, while the pronounced haunches and hidden rear door handles are another nod to the original.

The Juke shares plenty of common parts with its French siblings, the Renault Clio and Renault Captur, because it’s based on the same platform. The Captur is more intelligently packaged, offering a sliding rear bench and up to 536 litres of boot space. Still, there’s much to like about the Nissan’s interior, including a logically laid-out dashboard and lots of adjustment in the driver’s seat.

The Juke perhaps doesn’t feel as well built or high-quality as a Skoda Kamiq, but there’s loads of kit, and the dials are easy to read. Provided you avoid the entry-level Visia trim, all other trim levels get an eight-inch central touchscreen. It isn’t the most responsive, but at least you get physical shortcut buttons along the bottom of the screen to make it easier to use on the move.

You get Nissan’s Advanced Safety Shield if you go for Tekna trim. This offers various semi-autonomous features such as the firm’s Intelligent Around View Monitor, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Elsewhere, entry-level Visia cars get LED lights, a DAB radio, cruise control and traffic-sign recognition. Acenta builds on this with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera and the eight-inch touchscreen we mentioned above with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, which is much more usable than Nissan’s sub-standard infotainment set-up.

N-Connecta features keyless go, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and climate control, while Tekna and Tekna+ pile on the kit with 19-inch wheels, a Bose stereo and a Heat Pack with heated seats and heated windscreen

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Nissan Juke’s infotainment system isn’t as intuitive or as responsive as the one found in the Hyundai Kona, but at least it’s packed with functionality; all but the very cheapest Visia model gets a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We’d step up to at least the Acenta to get this kit. Doing so also gives you access to NissanConnect Services, as well as a useful (if slightly grainy) reversing camera. That rear window isn’t the biggest, so this could come in handy when parking in tight spots. Stepping up to N-Connecta adds sat-nav to the infotainment system.

We love the 10-speaker Bose Personal Plus Audio System on Tekna and Tekna+ grade cars. This set-up features speakers set into the front headrests, which means you not only get a much clearer sound, but it’s less harmful to your hearing. The quality is excellent, and works well no matter what kind of music, radio or podcast you like to listen to.