Best Dollar Spend On A Vehicle of It's Class
I will start out this review stating I work in Automotive, and know what to look for in vehicles, mechanically, and superficially, on what will last for a long term investment. Vehicle in the compact/sub-compact class are not vehicle normally leased, due to the pricing, and are almost always bought. That being said, as a consumer, you are going to want a vehicle that is reliable for longer than just the 5 years of the loan, and will not develop into a rattle trap. I have personally driven a Mazda 2, Nissan Versa, and two Japanese made size equivalents, and have found this one to be above the rest. Mechanically, this is a simplistic 1.6l GDI engine; a design that hasn't changed drastically going back even to the 2000 1.6l's, sans the direct injection. 6 speed trans is nice, considering many competitors use a 5 speed. There is nothing wrong with a 5 speed, but the 6th gear for the expressway helps with keeping the inherent engine and trans noise down while on the expressway. 138hp coming form the engine makes it, to my knowledge the highest of it's class. Space wise, the front seats have plenty of room. My friend who is 6'5" can sit in the front seat fine. The rear seats are left best to women and kids if someone large is in the front seats, however it won't crunch you so long as you're around the average build of someone who is 5'10". I've taken mine on a trip before, and the trunk gives enough space for two to have a camping trip for a week, and the sedan version has a bigger space. The hatchback standard is the GS trim, so you get a couple more features than the base sedan, but you do sacrifice some trunk space. MPG wise, the sticker says 27-37, however I have found mine to get an average of 33mpg on 50/50 city/Highway, and have seen as much as an average of 42mpg in an unloaded car by myself at 75mph. Interior, at least on my hatchback is made of good quality fabric, and a textured bubble-divot dash, as well as some fabric build into the door panels, so it's not as mundane as some other vehicle's in it's class. All in all, if you are a driver that has one or two people in the vehicle more than 70% of the time, and need something that isn't ugly to look at, at gets great gas mileage without people passing you on the freeway, this is the strongest contender for your hard earned money.
Recommended
Verified Owner
