Base models with the manual are still impressive, with a 28/37/31 mpg rating, which is midpack compared with base versions of the Civic (28/36/31 mpg), Focus (26/36/30 mpg) and Elantra (28/38/32 mpg).
When you start comparing it against other cars in the segment — both on paper and in a more subjective sense — it falls firmly midpack, despite it benefits.