While small overall the interior seems quite spacious. Its wide rear hatch makes loading easy while the rear 60/40 split seatbacks fold completely flat. Honda opened up floor space by incorporating an all-resin fuel tank, safer and easier to fit into compact spaces.
With safety in mind 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD) as well as second-generation dual front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, an ECU immobilizer and child safety seat anchors with outboard LATCH system are included. Through no fault of my own I found out personally how well its crumple zone architecture works. Just a few blocks away from the Honda facility where I was dropping off my test car after the week's ride, I was rear-ended by three guys in a Ford F150 pickup. The SiR had lost its right-side tail lamp, smashed in the lower half of the hatch and bent its bumper severely, but the rear glass was still completely intact and the car was also 100% drivable, but maybe not legal considering a shortage of brake lights. The F150 on the other hand had bent up its bumper and smashed its grille and left headlight. All in all, the little car had performed flawlessly and I was kept safe and sound inside, hardly worse for wear.
Safety issues aside how do I like it? To be honest I have no real complaints. It's a blast to drive and absolutely easy to live with day in and day out. That should also be true for its reliability, a Honda strong point, while fuel economy is above average too. Of all its attributes my favorite has to be the interior. It is faultless, offering excellent build quality and great styling. And when it comes right down to it, the inside is where we spend the majority of our time anyway. Honda has created a cultured little super hatch, destined to become a cult favorite among the brands loyal enthusiasts.