Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior: The paintwork is weak and easily gets chipped, but the body is galvanized and does not rust. The metal of the body is very thin and can dent even from just leaning on it. Corrosion is most likely to occur on the edges of the rear door and the exhaust system. The interior of the car is nicely designed, but it's a bit cramped in the back and the trunk is small. The plastic in the interior is cheap and rigid, and it doesn't withstand wear and tear well.
Engine: The 1.0-liter G3LA engine is quite reliable and runs without any problems for up to 250,000 km. Like all three-cylinder engines, it is noisy and vibrates. The 1.2-liter G4LA engine has four cylinders and is more comfortable to use. Both engines are known for oil leaks and have a low timing chain and engine mount lifespan.
Transmission: The 5-speed manual transmission M5EF2 does not cause any particular trouble. However, the synchronizers can wear out quickly with frequent abrupt starts. The 4-speed automatic transmission A4CF0 is also not considered particularly problematic. However, with excessively aggressive driving, it may require repairs as early as 60,000 km. Some owners have also experienced sensor failures or rapid wear of bushings.
Suspension: The suspension of the car is clearly tuned for better handling and is quite firm. Up to 50,000 km, only the shock absorbers and stabilizer bushings are often replaced. By 100,000 km, the strut bearings may also need replacement, as well as the shock absorbers. So far, there are no complaints about the steering or braking system.
