Long-legged drivers no longer need to endure a parking brake biting into their right knee. The three-spoke Nardi steering wheel has character, something the old car's featureless rudder lacked. The armrests and door grips aren't tacked-on afterthoughts. A cubby in the trunk accommodates the folded boot when it's not in use. The trunk floor is flat because the spare has been lowered into a well below the floor.
Acceleration is smooth and responsive.
The gauges have a cool, raked appearance that suggest speed. There's a storage net mounted to the windblocker. The wheels are attractive and easy to clean. And, hard plastic door map pockets don't stretch and sag after stuffing them with CDs. Specifically, we have problems with the rear end, which is wide and tall with a long license plate recess to accommodate Euro tags.