Understated, Classy-Looking, Little Big Car
Surprisingly roomy interior, front and back. The bucket seats are just about right—you feel secure, but not trapped. The trunk is roomy as well, just right for my wife's cake business, while the fold-down rear seat backs allow plenty of room for my guitars and music gear. Ride and handling are nicely tight and quick, but not too firm for comfort. There are nice touches for this price point, like the switch which folds both side mirrors in, and the six-speed manual shift option for hilly or slippery conditions. Acceleration is a little better than OK. But you can't have it all with such a low price point and a 2.0L motor that gave us 37 mpg on our first road trip.
Tech is basic, but adequate with SiriusXM radio, CD/MP3 player and USB /AUX ports that allow for music devices and/or hands free talk on your phone. Controls for radio and phone are on the steering wheel.
A couple caveats: The roomy trunk and the high-backed rear seats, with even higher headrests, mean poor rear visibility. You'll have to depend more than usual on the side mirrors. The other issue is the front headrests. The anti-whiplash, tilt-forward design may be good when rear-ended, but meanwhile they can wear the hair off the back of your occipital lobe.