BettyI’ve had the G4 for a week now and thought I’d do my own amateur review of my initial impressions, good and bad.
Initial good: I got a 2017 car with 27k on the odo and 2 years of the 5 year warranty remaining for $6500.
Exterior: it is a narrow car, especially when sitting in the parking lot among all the suv’s; fairly similar to an older Yaris. I have the ES, and while the thought has crossed my mind to add fog lights, I remember I had them on the Fit and never used them, so I won’t. Still mulling adding the oem rear spoiler, although I don’t want to mess with the mpg’s I’ve been getting. I know oem side runners are available, but I’m not sure I want to add weight to this little gas sipper.
Interior: it’s spartan (had to work that in there), but everything works. It does not feel cramped at all. Base stereo works fine. After reading other reviews, I was initially worried about the available volume, but it’s fine for me. It feels luxurious to me, because I’m coming from a car where, while the radio worked, some of the led’s were burned out and in the daytime I could never read the clock or radio station! The road noise is not that bad; I hear more engine noise than wind noise (but I have the 5 speed). Back seat is fairly spacious. I do see early signs of the seat material kind of loosening up, and I know that is a common complaint. I will likely get a seat cover to help protect that from further deterioration. Factory floor mats do not seem to be holding up that well in the front, so will look toward replacing them with maybe some hexmats. For a subcompact, the trunk is really spacious; I got groceries the other day and they all fit with room to spare. I know it’s a small car, but I feel the heat/ac fan could be a little stronger, for a more forceful airflow. Oh, and when I drive with one hand at 12, I can’t see the speedometer (minor gripe, I know).
Engine compartment: everything is layed out nicely. Lots of room to check what you need to check (oil dipstick, coolant, wiper fluid, air filter-after Dirk’s story I made sure one was in there). Oil filter location is good, not great, but I love the little trough to help direct the residual oil when you remove it. Thoughtful design.
Drivability: Have you ever seen an old World War 2 movie when they start the airplanes? That’s kind of the feel I get when I turn the key. I keep waiting for someone to yell “contact”, lol. It’s a little louder starter than I’m used to, but I’m chalking that up to less sound insulation. It immediately quiets right down into that little 3 cylinder idle we all know and love. For the first few days I babied the car, getting to know how it reacts to different situations. The last couple of days I’ve gotten more aggressive (within legal limits, of course), and it’s here that the smiles kick in. That snarl of the engine when you down shift to get on the highway or make a passing maneuver is awesome. I’ve driven the CVT before and you just don’t get this; of course the CVT provides a lower RPM at highway speeds and a quieter ride, so there is that tradeoff. This car is NOT underpowered by any stretch of the imagination. Even cruising in 5th gear at 70 mph, there is more than enough there to make a pass. I do have a little age and experience to judge this by; if you’ve ever driven an older 4 cylinder SOHC without variable valve timing or fuel injection, you know how truly slow a small car can be. This is not one of them. I’m thinking back not-so-fondly to you, 1974 Mustang ll…
Handling: Here’s where things get dicey. Way too much body roll on not very aggressive maneuvers. I’m talking a cloverleaf on ramp, where I’m having to get on it to get up to speed and I find myself leaning against the door. Going over average bumps in the road and having all four corners wallow one at a time absorbing them. Even small bumps in the road, I get the feeling the back end is moving around for no reason. With the steering, I initially thought I had the rear axle alignment issue (as I was constantly correcting the wheel), but I think it is really just a lack of road feel. The steering works, it just feels oddly removed from the tire contact to the road. Now, I’m coming from a 2007 Honda Fit, which was like driving a kart, so maybe not a fair comparison. But it is one thing that is standing out to me, right or wrong. Does a Daox sway bar help with this any? I think I could tolerate the floaty suspension if I could just feel the road a little better.
Efficiency: Saved the best for last. This car is meeting and exceeding my fuel mileage exectations. My daily commute goes as follows: a 2 mile city drive to the freeway, 16 miles at 70mph, 5 miles at 65mph, 5 miles at 55mph and the last 6 miles at 50mph. If I drive these posted speed limits (or 1-2 miles under), I’m routinely getting 46-50mpg! Even at highway speeds with the 5 speed, at 70mph with the eco light on, I’m in the 40’s. This is what this car is made for: it’s light, adequate power to weight ratio and aerodynamic. And this is where it excels.
Honestly, right now, I like it but I want to love it. If I can fix the steering feel (or get used to it), it would go a long way. And reduce the body roll a bit. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not some wannabe street racer, I just like a little more connection to the road. Otherwise, she’s doing everything I want her to.
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Originally Posted by AtomicPunk
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