If you could get over the looks it was the only small hatch you could get at the time with torque vectoring AWD, a turbo and under $20k. Fun to drive, horrible on gas (for a 1.6L). The Mav rear seats offer a lot more leg room too.
New one's definitely an improvement looks-wise, shame we only got the heavier, slower, more expensive Kicks as a replacement in the US.
I don't know... it looks...... conflicted. Angry Carp lower Grill, bulgy eyes from previous generation and then that transformers badge wing grill chromy thingy....