1.4i ES i-SHIFT 5dr Auto Hatchback

Sensible and practical car for every day use

The dealer warned me that I might not like the iShift box as it is nothing like the CVT box of the earlier model. He was right that it is nothing like the CVT, but wrong about me not liking it. For a start, I was replacing the earlier model primarily because of niggling gearbox issues with the earlier version and the warranty had expired.

The iShift box takes a little getting used to as it is not a true automatic. Once you get away from that and accept what it really is - a manual gearbox with computer operated clutch and gear changes - you can move on. 99.9% of the time the gearbox makes the correct selection, and does so faster and more smoothly than most drivers of manual gearbox cars I have had the misfortune to accompany. Unlike conventional automatics it holds the lower gear when descending hills and does not change up.

As for the 0.1%, very steep hills (e.g. turning left into a very steep side road) approached in second gear will sometimes confuse it, and produce a sudden unwanted change into first gear, and it shows a reluctance to kick down while overtaking, but the paddle response is an instant change into manual mode.

The ride is excellent, despite the rather noisy factory fit Dunlop tyres (I will replace them with softer riding Michelins soon), much better than the earlier model, which had a rather choppy ride. The road holding too is very much better than the earlier model.

I don't live in the UK and a drive to the capital here is an hour and forty five minutes by motorway. The old model seating was so uncomfortable on such a longer journey that I never wanted to get back in the car for the return leg. The new model is far more comfortable and there is no discomfort on long journeys.

Most of my motoring is on fast mountain roads with indifferent, even poor, road surfaces. Here the car excels, though there is an occasional 'chirping' of protest from the tyres on fast bends and a little more power would sometimes be welcome. With 1600ccs rather than 1400, this car should be remarkable.

It is not all perfect. Someone commented on the irritating streak across the passenger's view from the wiper edge. There is also a lot of reflection in the windscreen from the dashboard top. The wide screen pillars seriously obstruct view around bends and the boot is narrower than that of the earlier car. I also don't like the choice of material for the interior trim. The door panels always look grubby and the seats attract dust and hair and need constant cleaning.

The brakes are far too light and need to be treated with caution, and I wish the gear change paddles were fixed to the column and did not rotate with the steering wheel.

On balance it is a far better car than the popular model it replaced. It is cheap to run (52 mpg - which drops to 48 when the aircon is used) and has been completely reliable, with no work whatsoever between services. I would certainly buy another and there are not many cars I would say that about.

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