Nissan Juke Acenta Premium 1.6 DiG-T 5dr

What is it?

NISSAN introduced the segment busting Juke to the UK a year ago (September 2010), shifting over 20,000 of the part-coupe, part-SUV cool-mobiles to a receptive audience. When the Juke graces suburbia, the temperature rises just a tad.

You can see why Jukes have flown out of showrooms. Although too funky for some, the car is not just about looks. It feels like a substantial, quality piece of kit the moment you sit in, belying the super-mini Micra platform it’s built on. The value proposition is high, and you get the illusion of a small SUV without the withering running costs of a real 4×4 (4×4 is an option on the highest, Tekna trim Juke but this pushes the price over £20,000).

The front-wheel drive model tested here benefits from turbocharging, which translates into a handy turn of speed when required, but still acceptable fuel economy the rest of the time. Only individual use-patterns will determine whether the relatively high CO2 and VED is offset by Nissan’s claimed higher residual values for the Juke relative to other models in this sector. Cost of the Juke Acenta tested here is £17,095.

What’s hot?

• Still new, still cool
• Turbocharging means 0-60 in 8 seconds
• 2WD/petrol is much more engaging than diesel or 4×4
• Standard AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Nimble handling despite SUV looks
• Claimed combined mpg of 40.9
• The ‘Premium’ trim is desirable…
• …adds reversing camera, 17ins wheels, privacy glass, better seat fabrics
• 44 litre underfloor storage conceals laptops

What’s not?

• High CO2 and VED for what is essentially a supermini on steroids
• So company car tax is on the steep side for a supermini…
• …but at least it sneaks under the 160g/km capital allowances tax break
• Metallic paint costs £455
• Max 300 litres luggage space less than ‘much smaller’ Nissan Micra…
• …so you trade stowage for style

What you need to Know?

P11D Value:	17,095
Monthly Rental*:	225 (CH)/£271 (PCH)
Tax Band when posted:	21%, 22%, 23%
Monthly BiK:	Click link for BIK
Engine:	1.6 litre 4-cyl turbo
CO2 Emissions:	159g/km
Power/torque:	190ps/240Nm
Economy:	40.9mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

A fifth of Juke sales to date have been fleet sales, proving that strong residuals and high value make for a tantalising proposition, especially if you dig (excuse the pun) the look-at-me styling. As is the case with lots of superminis, the petrol variants outshine the diesels and keep the handling nimble. In fact the Juke is composed on bad British lanes and marries a good chassis with supple damping.

As long as the band G VED isn’t a problem, and the 21% company car tax band, this is a fine car to consider and we rate this particular model, the turbocharged Acenta Premium a top pick. Just make sure you opt for the manual and avoid the hectic continuously variable transmission (CVT) version.