Behind its funky exterior, Juke is a true CUV

It was not love at first sight, but after a four-day test drive, I had to admit that the Juke had a host of odd charms.

The Juke, by Nissan, made its Korean debut in early October. The car has already made a strong statement here, with its funky looks garnering it nicknames including “jumping spider” and “horned lizard.”

This is mainly due to the Juke’s bug-eyed front features and swollen front fender matched with a high waist, tapered side windows and a steeply descending roofline. Accordingly, I turned many a head while driving it.

The quirky styling, however, seems to have received global approval. It is the world’s best-selling car in the fast-growing compact crossover utility vehicle segment.

Since its global sales started in June 2010, the car has sold more than 650,000 vehicles, including some 370,000 in Europe alone.

The driving also lived up to its nickname. The jumping spider was always ready to pounce and accelerated quickly. Perhaps this is because the Juke is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine that generates 190 horsepower. Fuel economy is also excellent at 12.1 kilometers per liter.

I was not impressed by the same engine in Renault Samsung Motors’ latest downsized SM5 midsize sedan. But in the smaller, sportier Juke, the engine had real value.

The steering was quick and precise. Paired with the sport-tuned suspension, the ride was more like that of a sports car than a sedan, which is what driving a crossover vehicle should be like.

That is also why I’m waiting for the four-wheel-drive model to arrive in Korea soon. Especially, its sport torque-vectoring technology is said to split torque between the front and rear axles and heighten cornering agility.

The bolstered seats allow a higher driving position than one would expect from a compact, although there is really only room for four people despite its five seats.

Compared to its distinctive outside, the inside styling is clean and well organized, staying true to its Japanese origin. One of the few unique features is the high-gloss center console inspired by a motorbike fuel tank.

In Korea, the Juke will become a real challenger for the top-selling, more fashionable BMW Mini, considering its price competitiveness and the fact that it’s fun to drive.

Its more practical rivals such as the Kia Soul and the Chevrolet Trax (the Mokka in Europe) will need to boost their power and styling overall.

Considering the two Korean-made cars are keen on luring European customers, the designers should take some cues from the Juke.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)