When the Juke crossover was unveiled in 2010 I can’t have been the only person on the planet scratching their head and wondering how on earth Nissan were going to convince anyone to buy it.

Its quirky styling was either silly, or sensational, depending which half of a very divided camp you were in. Like nothing else on the road, its huge circular headlamps, gaping grille and boomerang light clusters – the front pair mounted high on the wings – was a daring, and potentially risky, exercise in design.

It turned out all right in the end. Better than all right, in fact, and the Juke has proven to be a huge hit, frequently making its way onto the UK’s top 10 bestsellers list.

It was given a subtle facelift in 2014. So subtle, in fact, that you’d be hard pressed to spot the difference.

With a footprint the size of a family hatchback, it stands to reason that there should be a ‘hot’ version and Nissan have duly obliged with the Nismo RS. To accompany the added performance there’s a beefed up body kit which includes a small front splitter and huge grilles, wider wheel arches to accommodate the bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and deeper side skirts while the rear bumper features a small diffuser and a large single tailpipe. A roof-mounted spoiler and trademark red door mirrors and brake callipers complete the transformation.

The interior continues the sporty theme with suede sports seats and Alcantara-bound steering wheel with contrasting red stitching. While those seats are, despite their lack of padding, incredibly comfortable once ensconced, straddling the side bolsters to get in or out was an exercise in agility, something I discovered I lacked in greater quantity that I’d imagined.

Assuming that you’ve avoided an embarrassing impaling you’ll discover that equipment levels are generous, with a 5.8in touchscreen, sat nav, Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming, cruise control and reversing camera.

Although it’s all very well bolted together and the Nismo flourishes help lift the ambience there’s no doubt that the interior could do with an update. There’s far too much hard plastic on display and the fascia design is crying out for a refresh but it would do the Nismo an injustice to suggest that the cabin is not a place you’d want to be.

Except if you’ve been plonked in the back. In that case you might not quite be so happy because room in the rear is limited so taller passengers, particularly on longer journeys, might find conditions a little less palatable.

The storage bins and glovebox are quite small and unspectacular, but the boot does at least offer some innovation and swallow 354 litres of your luggage thanks to a flexible floor that can also provide a secure area for your valuables, should you require it.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit producing 215bhp. It proved to be a willing performer with a surprising turn of pace. It’ll hit 62mph in just seven seconds. To achieve that figure you’ll have to cope with a sizeable amount of torque steer as well as managing wheelspin as the tyres struggle to supply the grip the power demands.

Though the springs are stiff clever damping ensures that the ride is never less than comfortable. Indeed the Nismo copes admirable with high frequency imperfections as well as more profound bumps and humps.

The tall body means that the high-performance Juke suffers from some body roll in corners but it’s unlikely that will prove too much of an issue as there is a shortage of grip which means the front end will quickly wash out if you enter a corner too quickly and that should keep speeds and, consequently, body roll, at a manageable level.

The steering is a little light and on the vague side. This might normally be an issue but given the Nismo’s lazy turn-in any attempts at high-speed cornering should be discouraged, something that the lack of feel at the wheel does admirably.

It may be the same size as a hot hatch but its credentials don’t quite stand up to scrutiny when compared with the very best. That said, its quirky design and raw pace lend it undeniable appeal. It’s also very comfortable, well put together and comes with a long list of standard equipment.

When it launched in 2010 I wasn’t convinced by its looks and, if I’m honest, my week with the Nismo RS has done little to change my mind but, sat behind the wheel, I rarely gave those looks a second thought. It may be flawed but the Juke has a huge personality and that, in the end, is what won me over.

Nissan Juke Nismo RS

Price: £21,995

As tested: £23,495

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Power: 215bhp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 206ibft @ 3,600rpm

Maximum Speed: 137mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 7sec

Urban: 29.4mpg

Extra urban: 49.6mpg

Combined: 39.2mpg

Emissions (CO2): 168g/km

For more information visit www.nissan.co.uk