NO matter which way you look at it the Nissan Juke generates opinion.

This quirky contender in the recently created Crosssover - hatch/SUV -sector is one of the true individuals in its class.

Another expression of Nissan's expertise in niche products it provoked varied opinions from interested bystanders mainly due to its styling.

One person pointed out that it looked 'a bit of an animal', and another said it looks like a Transformer.

Well, they are both right because the Juke's haunched styling looks like it is poised to pounce and it really is a transformer because you are driving three distinctly different cars.

No matter how you view it there is something of the jungle about this car but when you get inside, noting the raised driving position you realise that the Juke n-tec has three buttons - normal, sport and eco which set the car up for three different driving experiences. Normal is just normal, eco turns it into a fuel miser and sport allows you to let the car perform to its utmost capability. And the three characters are very distinct.

This being one of the more expensive choices in the Juke range it is, to say the least gadget rich.

For a start it features the Nissan connect navigation system which optimises your mobile environment to the max. Combining GPS with Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity it has all the  new must-have services.

A 5.8-inch touch screen display makes it easier to switch between your phone, music and driving information. In addition you get access to Google services like points of interest and sending your Googled map direct to the car.

This means that you can synchronise a route from desktop directly to your Juke n-tec.

And in true urban crossover fashion the n-tec is available in either two or four-wheel drive.

This two-wheel-drive version manual tipped the price scale at £17,690 which was not that bad considering the specification of the car which included a colour reversing camera, six-speakers, Nissan Dynamic Control System, cruise control and some very shiny and upmarket 18-inch alloy wheels, the sort of things you get very worried about when parking next to an unforgiving concrete kerb.

As far as road manners are concerned the n-tec was very capable with its three different driving modes and encompassed the now well-known Nissan handling features which include a firm but supple ride and easy progressive cornering capability.

In terms of performance 109mph is on tap from the 1,461cc, 81ps four-cylinder common rail direct injection diesel engine allied to a turbocharger and intercooler. Transmission is a smooth-changing six-speed manual which suited the car very well.

The interior is very much oriented towards the driver and front seat passenger. Rear seats are comfortabe but the sloping rear line of the car does not leave much headroom for very tall people. A could do better mark goes for boot space which is adequate only.

But this all ties in with the car's character of an urban crossover. This it lives up to in a vey impressive way indeed.