The Nissan Juke is, more or less, the one of the first cars that has been designed to attract someone of my generation. Nissan knew that young people want highly contented vehicles at decent prices that are capable of a wide variety of things... Although the Juke was initially designed for the Asian and European markets, it has done quite well in the United States based on its relative size, high ride height, AWD, and exceptional performance.
Although many would classify the looks as 'polarizing,' it is at the very least distinctive, and says a lot about the buyer. People who are looking for something different, and something that stands-out, the Juke is likely to take top-honors. Added to that, the funky powertrain is very different... Especially here in the States. A 1.6L turbo that pulls, and pulls, and pulls has gotten fairly unanimous praise, the gearboxes are rated quite high (even the CVT), and the AWD performance is admirable despite generally being catered to tarmac performance.
For the $23,000 or so for a mid-range model with AWD, I'd consider that a pretty good deal. For people looking to have a fun-to-drive, practical car, it isn't a bad idea. Although the actual interior space isn't that great, it is comparable with other small cars on the road today.
Personally, if I were making a little more money I'd consider buying one. I like them quite a bit, but, as one brand has success with that kind of design, others will pop up. Both Chevrolet and Ford will be offering Juke-like versions of the Fiesta and Sonic, and both will likely be quite capable... But probably not as sporty.
