It can be an easy thing to forgive (or overlook) a car's deficiencies when said car delivers an ear-to-ear grin due to its crisp performance and extrovert styling.

Such is the Eagle Talon TSi Turbo AWD, which looks like it can go 200 mph even when parked in the driveway. A strong, free-revving engine and tenacious grip are its claim to fame. The TSi is a hot rod that uses Japanese engine/drivetrain wizardry to extract power and put it to the ground, instead of relying on a big V8 and bigger tires.

But, lose the turbo boost and the all-wheel drivetrain, and what have you got? Pretty much a poseur in the sporty car market, albeit a really good-looking one. Specifically, you've got the Talon Esi.

Instead of the Mitsubishi-built turbo 2.0-litre, the ESi is powered by a normally-aspirated, Chrysler-built 4-cylinder of the same displacement, a version of which is found in the Neon. The engine delivers 140 hp, which puts it in the same room with other sporty coupe pretenders such as the Hyundai Tiburon FX, Acura Integra or Ford Probe.

Chrysler is not known for ultra-smooth, high-revving powerplants. The 2.0-litre is no exception. Anything above 4,000 rpm and the motor gets zingy and then takes on a decidedly harsh tone. To its credit, off the line the motor hustles the Talon up to normal speeds in good time, which is no mean feat in that the small car is a fairly chunky 2750 lb. (1247 kg). Coupled to a light, smooth-shifting 5-speed, the engine's passable low end power allows the driver to point and squirt in heavy traffic hustle.

The tester was shod with optional 205/55HR16 Goodyears, an upgrade from standard 195/70HR14 tires that several people had warned me are next to useless. The upgraded tires fill out the wheelwells a lot better, but more importantly, provide decent grip for twisty road running. The fully independent front and rear suspension is up to the task, body roll is negligible and the tires stayed planted.

Overall, with a certain amount of prudence exercised, the performance capabilities of the ESi are sufficiently sporting. Note, however, that this Talon does not come with standard ABS. It is optional with the front disc/rear drum setup. Four wheel discs, with or without ABS, are the exclusive property of the TSi.

Rear view vision is never a strong point with any sporty car. Two things exacerbate the Talon's blind spots. The first are the side mirrors which are far too small for proper viewing. The second is the rear spoiler, with a horizontal plane that neatly bisects the rear window view, and is particularly adept at obscuring smaller cars.

Any smile created by the sporting pretensions of the Talon, is quickly removed by the interior accommodations. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I felt like sardine, freshly canned. I can now understand the Talon's appeal to women (who account for 60 per cent of its sales); their physiology is far more suited to the car's compact cabin. Any male adult over average size is going to be compromised by the interior dimensions.

At a hair under 6'-2", I found myself driving with my knees splayed to each side of the steering wheel, my head brushing the roof. The seat was as far back in its tracks as it could go, the steering wheel tilt mechanism in its uppermost position, the seat bottom in its lowest position. After 15 minutes, my back started to complain. Call me a wuss, the Talon just didn't fit!

The vestigial back seats are for small fry only. With the front seat back in the track, there is literally no room for rear seat passengers' legs. Consider the back seats to be a padded receptacle for whatever you care to throw back there. For real cargo, the rear hatch opens wide to reveal a deep, tub-like compartment.

Unfortunately, lift height for heavy objects will prove to be inconvenient, if not an actual strain on the back.

Most instrument panel controls and gauges are well marked and in easy viewing distance. As for the interior materials used, it's strictly average at best. The dashboard plastic looks cheap and mating surface fit and finish is indifferent

The first generation Talon TSi was one of my favorite sporty cars, a giant killer among its higher horsepower competition. Even the second generation Talon TSi, now in its third year, can be forgiven for its cramped accommodations, because of its entertainment capabilities. But, the Talon ESi is too much of a compromise in my books.

At $23,415 for a base ESi ($25,285 as equipped), good looks only goes so far. Middling engine performance, uninspired interior, non-standard ABS and 4-wheel disc brakes, and interior dimensions that limit functionality, are significant factors that would lead me to seriously turn to the competition.

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