Back in the driver's seat it is easy to get comfortable due to a height adjustable shoulder belt, plus all controls fall easily to hand with nothing placed in an awkward, unintuitive position. The steering column stocks feel substantial, clicking up and down in a precise manner, and again featuring standardized actuation - or in English the headlight switch is actuated by a twist of the turn-signal stalk and the wipers by a flick of the right hand.

Even those in the backseat will find high levels of comfort and ample space. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

That hand, as well as the one on the left, should find the steering wheel to be relatively comfortable, although its design is not to the level of the Mazda3, for instance. The same can be said for the stereo interface, that although produces good sound for an OEM system isn't as cohesively integrated into the center stack as some of its competitors.

A less than ideal steering wheel and aftermarket-like audio system interface integration are the weaker points of an otherwise well executed interior. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Of course, it's easy to tell that a car is good when its critics nit and pick over tiny design details that merely impinge on aesthetics. The crux of the matter is there's little else to fault it on when it comes to design and execution.

Can this be said of the driving experience? That is probably the most important question I wanted answered when I set out from Santa Monica to Malibu. Exiting the hotel parking lot I couldn't help but notice how maneuverable the car was, and a quick glance at the spec sheet told me why. Its turning radius is a tight 5.1 meters (16.7 ft).