Sizing up a Nissan

These siblings are two of the best-known SUVs on the market, but is it a case of bigger is better when choosing between them? We find out

1 Well-sited physical dials and switches make it a doddle to adjust the air conditioning settings when you’re driving

2 Driving position is good; it’s a shame you can’t adjust the lumbar support, but the heated seats are welcome

3 Interior quality reflects the Juke’s lower price; the hard plastics on the dash and doors have a downmarket air

1 The Qashqai’s interior is classier, with plenty of soft-touch materials and well-damped switches and knobs

2 Fully digital instrument display is easy to read and looks much more modern than the Juke’s analogue dials

3 Adjustable lumbar support and a sound driving position make the Qashqai comfy for long stints behind the wheel

When you’re buying a new car, the higher trim levels are undeniably appealing. They tend to come with all the best gadgets the model can offer, along with a longer list of creature comforts and flashier looks to boot. But have you ever stopped to wonder whether you might be better off looking at the next size up, rather than a smaller car with all the trimmings?

As a case in point, we’re looking at Nissan’s two most popular SUVs. Of these, the Juke, in Tekna trim (one down from the very top trim) costs about £4000 less than you’ll pay for the middle-rung Qashqai N-Connecta. Fairly obviously, the Qashqai is the bigger car; it’s a family SUV rather than a small SUV. But is it worth the extra outlay, and will the long-term costs be as different as the price gap suggests? Read on to find out.

DRIVING

Performance, ride, handling, refinement