IMAGE takes the new Nissan Juke Hybrid for a Sunday Spin

Join IMAGE staffers Simone Kennedy and Soraiya Ryan as they take the new Nissan Juke Hybrid for a spin around Dublin city, sharing their perfect Sunday of yoga, vintage shopping and brunch.

PHOTOGRAPHY Melanie Mullan

Living in Dublin 15, one of the highlights for me of any trip into town is the route I take through the Phoenix Park to get there. On a chilly winter morning, with the grass glittering in frost, a drive through the park really lifts your spirits.

This time, the experience was elevated even more, as I was driving the new Nissan Juke Hybrid; it was my first time driving a hybrid car and from the moment I turned it on I was struck by how remarkably quiet and smooth it was. It was so easy to drive; helped by the innovative and smart gearbox, it drives like an automatic car. No clutch is required, and it can switch between driving modes to match your driving conditions…. leaving you to drive in great comfort.

Combined with the car’s high-riding seating position, it made me feel like I was gliding, with the added feel-good factor that the fuel-efficient hybrid model reduces the car’s environmental footprint.

Picking Soraiya up from Portobello, she commented on how eye-catching the sleek and sculpted new model exterior was coming around the corner. This slick exterior is matched by the smart interior and sporty yet comfy seats. The interior lighting set the mood as we drove around and, with great connected technology onboard, it was really easy to connect my phone to the hands-free system.

Our first stop was at Little Bird yoga studio and café, for a Slow Gentle Flow class. This is such a great spot for all yoga and food lovers, offering freshly made, and super tasty, vegetarian and vegan dishes, great coffee and home-made sweet treats in a really welcoming setting. Opened eight years ago by former architect and passionate sustainability champion Eileen Fitzpatrick, the place has gone from strength to strength. The new all-weather cover makes a great addition to the outdoor terrace, as pretty as a picture no matter what the weather.

Parking around the narrow yet picturesque streets of Portobello, however, can be challenging but with the Nissan Juke’s 360-degree camera system providing a bird’s-eye view of the car, parallel parking is a dream.

Next up, we made our way over to Francis Street to stock up on lush greenery from Hopeless Botanics, a gorgeous plant shop owned and run by Erin Thomas. From floor-to-ceiling jungle ferns to petit cacti, they have it all.

Followed by a stroll up the street to Aideen McHenry’s Ruby Ruby designer consignment store, where I was so excited to find the most amazing pair of butter-soft black leather Balenciaga wedges in my size (a teeny three), never easy to find.