Compared to other cars in this class I test drove, the ride was way above and beyond. Smooth with just enough feel that I know what's going on with the road beneath me.
I find this car quite fun to drive, and I'm the kind of person who grins with glee when there's 2 feet of snow to blaze a wild bumpy trail through. Good braking, good cornering. Do keep in mind, it is an entry level, subcompact hatchback.
I amaze people with how much I can fit in this car. I wasn't a hatchback fan when I bought this car, but I am now. It's nearly as good as having a truck with the seats all folded flat. The truck bed just doesn't have a roof.
I'm short, and never buy NA cars because I have to kiss the steering wheel to reach the pedals. This car lets me keep the steering wheel a comfortable distance away, but it's also comfortable for my leggy 5'10" sister to drive.
The competition when I was buying this was the Toyota Yaris, and this car was quite a bit less than the Yaris with AC, automatic transmission, and power locks/windows, etc., even when you counted in the government grant for $1000 for the Yaris.