Seating space for passengers is generous, and the rear bench is firm and placed high, resulting in a comfortable seating position for back seat riders. In the middle of the back seat is a fold-down armrest that is actually of some use, thanks to thick padding and a perfect location when flipped down. Front seat riders get very supportive, chair-like seats. Unfortunately, they are as flat as Kansas, one American-car holdover that we did not appreciate in the Cutlass. Storage space is plentiful, and the four well-placed cupholders are sized to hold more than a can of Coke.
Throttle response is typically American, causing the car to almost lurch away from every stoplight.
But the engine is well suited to duty in the Cutlass, making decent power throughout the rev range and giving the Cutlass acceptable passing ability. It sure looks funny, but the height of the shifter serves two very important functions. First, the knob at the top becomes a perfectly positioned handrest because it is set at the same level as the center console armrest. Second, shifting down into 3rd, and even 2nd, to use engine braking to slow the car is easy to do. Manual shifts are smooth, not clunky and awkward like in many cars and trucks.