Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior: The paint coating here is very thin, but the body holds up well and doesn't rust quickly. Corrosion often appears around the roof rails or the fifth door, less frequently on the edges. The plastic in the interior is not resistant to wear and the sound insulation here is weak. The electrical system in the cabin regularly malfunctions, usually due to contact oxidation.
Engine: Since the catalytic converter is far from the engine, problems with scuffing are rare. The 1.4 and 1.6-liter engines are known for their low chain lifespan and often leak through the gaskets. On the other hand, the 2.0-liter engine has earned a practically exemplary reputation among the people. Both diesel engines are quite rare and do not stand out for their high reliability.
Transmission: Manual transmissions are frankly weak and often require repair around 100,000 km. However, the automatics here are good, just make sure to change the oil every 60,000 km.
Suspension: Suspension components do not have a long lifespan, but the prices for them are not high. By 100,000 km, it is usually necessary to replace the wheel bearings and all shock absorbers. The steering rack often starts knocking as early as 50,000 km, and the tie rods also have a short service life. There are minimum complaints about the braking system, everything works fine, no worse than competitors.
