Long gone are the days when Britain was a true world leader in car manufacturing by British companies writes Sharon Walters.

The likes of Korea and Japan are instead up at the top with over the Pond companies Ford and GM. But we shouldn’t be so downbeat about the influence we still have in the automotive industry.

While the big names are not based in the UK many have substantial influence – from designers and centres of excellence to production lines. Toyota, Ford and GM are just three with major manufacturing presences. And then there are several niche marques based here.

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And then we have Nissan with its super efficient plant at Sunderland from where many models are made and then shipped abroad to foreign markets. Not bad eh?

Last September Nissan launched the Juke on to our roads – a car designed in London and made up in the north east. Now that really is something to be proud of.

And while Nissan along with Toyota, Ford and GM have their financial base on other continents, they still provide many jobs which in turn contribute towards the local economy from shopping to housing and also to the coffers of our government.

And I use the last few words advisedly as it appears to me that currently those of us who actually contribute in direct and indirect taxation are the last people to be considered by those that decide how our country is run. But enough of that rant . .

What has to be said for the Japanese is that they are not afraid to be bold. Nissan first spotted that car buyers were not happy with small family cars, andequally they didn’t want face the environmentalists in substantial 4x4s you need a stepladder to get into. And so the crossover was born in 2007.

Qashqai was was the size of a Ford Focus, but felt more like a Freelander in terms of size and driving and you could also go the extra mile and make it four-wheel-drive if you wanted it.

And it was a big success. Now Nissan have gone one better and produce a son of Qashqai – the Juke.

It does rather make a statement with its bulging front headlights, big wheelarches and roofline that looks a little at odds with all that – something like a coupe!

You can also get a 4×4 version like dad.

Now which market has this been aimed at? Those who like the Mini Clubman but want a more practical and more affordable car or even the Audi A1. You won’t get as much fun driving them but you never get 100 per cent out of anything you buy – there always has to be compromise.

And now to more detail. The boot is a good size and the rear seats fold down completely. There is decent leg space but rear headroom is a little tight for six footers due to the sloping roofline.

Trim level is good and you get a fair deal for your money. Drivewise the raised ride height is good for keeping an eye open all round and it is smooth and comfortable on the open road although the stiff suspension can struggle on rougher roads. On the plus side that stiffness and sporty set-up gives it very little body roll through corners.

There’s a choice of four engine options – a 1.5 dCi, 1.6i, 1.6 DiG-T with 2wd and a six speed manual box or a 1.6 DiG-T with 4wd and an Xtronic CVT-M6 box.

A lot of buyers have been going for the 115bhp 1.6 petrol engine (a revised version of the engine found in the Qashqai) which gives 55mpg and 134/km of CO2. I loved the 1.6 litre direct injection turbo petrol engine. So smooth and refined and still manages around 40mpg

Trim levels are based on Nissan’s established Visia, Acenta and Tekna lines and prices atart at £12,995. £20,345 for the turbo petrol top of the range Tekna may look a little expensive but drive it and you’ll see why it impressed me.

Standard equipment includes climate control, leather upholstery, rear view camera and intelligent key. Go up to Tekna and you also get Nissan Dynamic Control System, a central command and display module which allows the driver to alter dynamic drive settings and make changes to functions such as climate control. There is also 4wd as standard .

Drive this and you’ll get noticed and by buying it think of what you are doing for our economy.