FANCY having lots of fun on four wheels? Presuming the answer is an unequivocal ‘yes', here's a way to do it without sacrificing those back seats, too much luggage space or taking on the national debt.

From these early clues, clearly we aren't looking at a Lambo, Ferrari or the like.

In fact, the car I've got in mind is an SUV, albeit a rather unusual one.

Even before you climb into the Nissan Juke Nismo a wide grin is forming. With fat wheels, spoilers and bulging bodywork, it looks like a skateboard on steroids and its bright red external mirrors stick out like a small schoolboy's ears after a close haircut.

The bog-standard Juke - a model that attracts the fashionistas like moths around a street light - has an acceptable 93bhp, which is fine.

But the Nismo has more than double the power, 197bhp to be exact. So it is hardly surprising the little £22,600 five-door picks ups its heels and flies.

Despite the tall stance, the 1.6litre petrol turbo drives more like a hot hatch with ultra direct steering that turns in early and feeds loads of info back to the helm. Sixty-two comes up in just over seven seconds and max is 134mph.

It's not the most silent form of travel and as the revs rise through the continuous variable transmission there are times you wish for a more refined form of transport.

The automatic gearbox is always in the right ratio but the jerkiness of this form of transmission doesn't make for the most relaxed progress

Unlike the lesser Juke models, this car was driven by all four wheels (although the manual version is just front dive). This removes the risk of wheel spin and torque steer that can result from lots of power being fed through purely the front.

While there's bound to be a boost to traction in snow or muddy conditions, its chief reason for being an all-paw is handling rather than improving the Nismo's off-road credentials.

On a smooth surface the ride is roll-free and comfortable but over uneven roads some of the imperfections are passed back into the cabin.

The cabin design continues the stylish theme of the exterior.

A chunky leather steering wheel sets the sporty trend with deep wrap-around bucket seats that are hugely supportive and comfortable.

The dash is contemporary and sprinkled with cute racy touches. Space in the front is more than adequate but rear seat passengers will struggle for legroom if the front seats are extended.

Although at just 4.13 metres long, the Juke has four doors - plus a tailgate - so getting in and out is easy.

The boot platform is quite high meaning luggage space is somewhat limited beneath the parcel shelf. It can take 251litres of cargo which is a shade less than a Fiesta. But fold down the back seats and this grows to more than 1,300 litres.

Press hard in the eager Nismo and you'll notice the fuel gauge needle sink quite quickly.

Normal running produced around the 40mpg mark, but an enthusiastic burst of 50 or so miles saw this drop to under 30mpg.

It's good to see a car that looks like it's destined to stay in the drawer marked ‘Concept Cars' actually make it to the showroom.