IT is true to say that the car-buying process is often a dilemma between head and heart.

For instance, that three-door small hatchback may look cute but will it really make sense when it comes to loading the children and the shopping?

And will that coupe bring with it some drawbacks on space, even though it will massage my ego?

Or should I opt for an SUV, even though I really want something a little more sporty?

Nine years ago, Nissan pulled on our heartstrings by introducing the most radical of compact crossovers, the Juke. A million sales later, it has now morphed into a more sensible purchase.

What the first-generation Juke had by the bucketload was style. It offered a combination of crossover and coupe that broke the mould, and your heart would forgive its foibles.

Now that sleek and athletic stance is complemented by increased roominess – the Achilles heel of the previous version – a modern interior and a raft of new technologies that bring it bang up to date.

Nissan ProPILOT and the NissanConnect infotainment system with on-board Wi-Fi, smartphone integration and over-the-air updates bring a new wealth of features and make the Juke the most connected Nissan ever.

And in a surprising move the Japanese company has elected to offer the Juke with only one engine choice. The1.0-litre three-cylinder 117PS turbocharged engine is paired with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It remains a car that is fun to drive, but it now feels more grown-up.

On the downside, the engine is quite noisy and the automatic system tested here seemed quite sluggish in the standard drive mode. There are three modes to choose from – Eco, Standard and Sport – and if you want the Juke to live up to its reputation as a lively and fun car then you will need to select the latter mode.

Although the official mpg figure for the automatic version is about 46mpg, I found that I could return a fuel economy figure of 56mpg on a A-road run.

Everything comes nicely to hand in the sporty driver’s seat, while passengers will appreciate the extra room to be found. Rear-seat knee room is increased by 5.8 cm and rear head room by 1.1 cm, while the boot capacity is now 422 litres – providing 20 per cent more storage room.

These changes are accommodated in a slightly larger body that comes with 19-inch alloy wheels and coupé-style ‘floating roof’ design. Thanks to high strength steel, the new model features a more rigid platform that offers better stability, performance and cornering capabilities, and despite its bigger size it is 23kg lighter.

Equipped with full LED technology as standard, the iconic circular headlamps remain but there’s a new Y-shaped signature which complements Nissan’s V-Motion grille.

The safety technologies include intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot intervention, which warns the driver when a car gets into its blind spot and brings Juke back in the lane.

With the new NissanConnect infotainment system, customers can use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to mirror their favourite smartphone apps on the eight-inch touch screen display. Drivers can also access TomTom Maps & Live Traffic or activate their on-board Wi-Fi hotspot to allow passengers connecting their laptops or tablets.

In addition, the NissanConnect Services app lets owners lock or unlock their car, while Google Assistant compatibility gives control over functions including sending destinations to the car’s navigation system by talking to their smart device.

It certainly is an impressive package. You can now buy a Juke with your heart or your head.