It is let down by narrow driving position. (I had to remove the lower console cover to gain more room.
The wheel wells intrude way too much on the pedals of the manual transmission models It is too easy to end up in the wrong gear of the 6 speed manual transmission.
The front seats are too narrow and very very poorly padded. They are over bolstered and have no lumbar support !!
The interior plastics are hard and shiny. Poor Quality!!
The steering wheel audio controls are onthe worng side of the steering wheel
Exterior styling
Great look ! Very different from all sub-compacts out there.
Fuel economy
Have never got below 37.7 miles to the gallon. I do drive conservatively but even when my husband who drives significantly more aggressive the gas mileage has been excellent
Handling
For a low priced sub-compact the handling is GREAT ! I test drove everything in its class and it by far had the best handling of any of the competition.
Powertrain performance
The 1.4 liter Turbo is quiet, responsive and fast. In my opinion it is very much worth the $700 cost. in 25000 miles of mixed driving it has not had a problem.
Controls and instruments
I was first apprehensive of the analog and digital guages. That concern was unfounded. They are legible and easy to understand. I digital disply is easy to read in all light conditions.
Front seat room
The front seating position is cramped, but even worse is the footroom !!!! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and the clutch pedal feels like it was an afterthought. The wheel well intrudest so much that is difficult to engage the clutch without my foot being moved inward due to the lack of room. I have a mens 9 shoe so it is not because I have huge feet. My leg hits the center console while using the gas pedalso far to the right. IT IS SO BAD I TOOK THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AT THE GAS PEDAL OFF TO HAVE MORE ROOM !!!
I have a friend in England he told me it was not as much of a problem due to the placenet of the pedals in the right hand drive models. It also makes sense this car sells more in right hand driving counties, the radio control are on the right hand side of the steering wheel. This is a stupid position considering having to change gears with the right hand.
I am not a small guy, but I am not huge. I am 240 at 5"9'. with a passenger of similar size I feel very cramped. I had a buddy with me, He is a mountain of a man at 6'3" and having very broad shoulders like my self. It was a scream! We were smashed together. I had to work hard to change gears. The car is about 3" to narrow. I previously owned a Nissan Versa. It was considered a narrow car but we never had this problem. It was so cramped if it was a much longer ride, I would have had him get in the back seat.
CRAMPED IN THE FRONT TO THE EXTREME DEGREE !!!!!!!!
Front seat support & comfort
THE SEATS ARE LIKE MIDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES !!!
I am not a huge guy. I have am 5'9" tall with a 40" waist. I have a wide stance. I did take a long test drive in this car. I noticed that the seats were not terribly comfortable but I had run into that with several cars. The seats got better as the broke in.
THESE GOT WORSE !!!!
It got so bad that I had themreupholstered!!!!! It helped very little !!!!
They are too narrow, overbolstered....poorly padded....no lumbar support...the armrest is usless (it sits too low and angled down)....If i could trade it in tomorrow it would be gone. I drive 4 hours a week at a mininimum to school round trip. the next day I am sore. I am going in for time 2 to see if I can FIX the seat comfort.....ARGG
Powertrain performance
The 6 speed manual tramsmission action.
It is very easy to miss gears due to the stickshift action.
I have been driving stick since I was 12. I have driven everythig from trucks, economy cars even a volkswagen camper.
They all had a better feel. The transmission has too much positive return to neutral.
It also needs too much for and aft pressure to select a grear this makesit very easy to miss a gear. This is dangerous when downshifting then upshifting to merge onto the highway.
Materials & workmanship
I regularly describe the interior plastics as being similar to those used in happy mealtoys.
The plastics are shiny and hard. There are NO SOFT PLASTICS AT ALL !!!
THE DOOR ARMRESTS ARE USLESS !!! AFTER AWHILE THEY HURT !!
THE DASH UNDER THE WINDSHIELD IS SO SHINY IT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE TIME!!!! IT DOES THIS RIGHT IN MY LINE OF SITE.
THE CENTER CONSOLE HAS A CREASE LOCATED RIGHT WHERE MY LEG RESTS (BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FRONT SEAT SPACE...SEE ABOVE.)
IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE THE INTERIOR IS VERY ATTRACTIVE.
Controls and instruments
THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FOR THE RADIO ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE !!!!
EVERY CARE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN HAVE HAD THE RADIO CONTROLS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL !!!!!!
THIS CAR IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION...AND THE RADIO CONTROLS ARE ON THE RIGHT......DO NOT EVEN THINK USING THEM IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC !!!!!
Price or payments
IT WAS CHEAP TO BUY 16000 OUT THE DOOR WITH EVERY TOY AVAILABLE.....NO SUN ROOF AVAILABLE.
BIGGER WHEELS AND FOG LIGHTS ONLY AVAILABLE WITH THE BASE ENGINE ? (MADE NO SENSE)
Ride smoothness
Rides like a much bigger car.
Quietness
VERY QUIET !!! Very little engine or wind niose at +80 MPH
Audio & nav systems
Great Audio system !!!!
The 2012 had the older non-touchscreen unit. LESS FEATURES BUT IT DOES NOT CRASH ALL THE TIME AND IS MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY
Rear seat room & comfort
REAR SEAT IS CRAMPED WITH POOR FOOT AND KNEE ROOM
I MIGHT BE A LITTLE SPOILED...MY LAST CAR WAS A VERSA WITH A HUGE ROOMY BACK SEAT....BEST IN CLASS
