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car review

The Nissan Jukes has a bold, polarizing design.Nissan

Let's get to the "ugly" cracks right off the top. Then I'll explain why the critics are wrong.

We've heard the one about the Nissan Juke being hit by the ugly stick – twice.

This is Frankenstein's monster, if it were a car.

The Juke is one vowel away from a Freudian slip.

Enough. In last year's Globe Drive judging of the ugliest cars sold in Canada and of all time, these are the voices of judges who ranked the Juke No. 1 in the former and No. 9 in the latter.

The panel was wrong, and not because some members wear white tube socks with sandals, and others think a flannel shirt with car designs on it is fashionable, not merely a pajama top. For the record, the Juke did not make my top 10 list of all-time uglies.

Sure, it's an evocative, even polarizing design, a car/crossover with a roofline shaped in a kind of reverse wedge, fenders so muscular they look like Marshawn Lynch's thighs and blinding paint colours that range from Cosmic Blue to Solar Yellow. The turn signals integrated into slits in the front fenders are bold, projector beam headlights are powerful, fog lights (standard on the Juke SL) are useful. Lights and action are what the Juke is about.

You will not find a more entertaining small crossover in this price range, especially the top-of-the-line Juke Nismo with all-wheel drive ($28,978), though Subaru's XV Crosstrek and Mitsubishi's RVR come close when fitted properly. That Juke, and all the others, including the base front-wheel drive SV, are powered by a 188-horsepower turbo four – which is lively and reasonably fuel-thrifty, though premium is recommended.

If you want to stay connected, NissanConnect Apps allow for hands-free testing, streaming audio and more. Your smartphone can become one with the car. Heck, the available around-view monitor was a luxury feature just a couple of years ago.

The cabin is roomy and functional, from the folding 60/40 rear bench to the flat load floor. Seats are properly padded for long distance, more expensive buckets are racy and the high stance is good for outward visibility. Even the CVT avoids rubber-banding, though some models have a basic six-speed manual gearbox.

Different isn't ugly. And where the Juke is truly a stand-out is not in its looks, but the dynamics.

You'll like this car if ... You want a quick and nimble crossover and have the courage to be different.

TECH SPECS

  • Base price: $20,498; as tested: $28,978
  • Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder, turbo-charged
  • Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT) or six-speed manual, depending on the model.
  • Fuel economy: (litres/100 km): 8.8 city/7.5 highway for SV AWD Xtronic using premium fuel.
  • Alternatives: Jeep Renegade and Cherokee, Subaru XV Crosstrek, Mitsubishi RVR, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage.

RATINGS

  • Looks: Yes, the Juke is a slap in the face. It’s daring, and polarizing and so far out there, Pluto is a next-door neighbour. The big fenders, the rally-inspired lighting, the muscular fenders that pop like Mr. Olympia’s biceps. Nothing look-alike here.
  • Interior:The screen for managing the many “smart” features is about the size of your smartphone. But pocket-size isn’t good inside a car. Seats are excellent and there’s room for lots of cargo, but the legroom up front – side-to-side – is tight.
  • Performance: That little turbo four-banger comes alive when you goose the throttle, launching you down the road. The handling is right at the top of its class and braking is almost too responsive, especially in the Nismo model.
  • Technology: The youth market is the obvious target, which means NissanConnect apps and smartphone integration are part of the package. The available all-wheel-drive system is a good bad-weather package.
  • Cargo: Space behind the rear seats is adequate. The rear seats fold 60/40 and the load floor is flat. What’s missing in the cabin is enough creatively designed spaces to store the endless oddments of Gen Y.

THE VERDICT

8.5

The affordable Juke is a hugely entertaining small crossover and it looks the part.

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