Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior The paint coating is thin and chips quickly, but the body itself does not rust. Some rust may appear on the edges of the rear door or on suspension components. The interior is made of cheap materials, but it looks nice and has decent durability. On forums, it is criticized for poor assembly quality, frequent squeaks, and weak sound insulation. There are no major issues with the electrical system, but the available trim levels are usually not rich. Engine The 1.0-liter G3LA engine is a fairly reliable unit with a lifespan of up to 200,000 km. Like many 3-cylinder engines, it is noisy and prone to vibrations. The 1.2-liter G4LA engine is known for its excellent performance. Its downsides include a relatively short lifespan of the timing chain and less durable supports. Transmission The 5-speed manual transmission M5EF2 is considered quite reliable and only suffers from minor leaks. The control cables may stretch around 100,000 km, resulting in difficulty shifting gears. The 4-speed automatic transmission A4CF0 serves well only for very careful drivers. Overly active owners often experience gearbox issues before reaching 100,000 km. Common weak points of this automatic transmission include finicky electronics and low support lifespan. Suspension The suspension is somewhat stiff, giving a European feel, but driving on rough roads can be uncomfortable. There are no reliability issues, and only the shock absorbers and stabilizer bushings tend to wear out quickly. Around 100,000 km, the bearing supports or shocks are often replaced. So far, there are no specific complaints about the steering or braking system of the car.
