I really like the 1.3 engine, even though it's kind of gutless over 80 km/h. It'll still get you past the speed limit on those long highway stretches. And I can't wait to see that modified 1.5 again on our next track-day.
RE: space? Seat space is really good, even better than some compacts, in terms of legroom, but it's not as wide as a modern Altis, Corolla or Mazda3. But we're talking one or two-elbow-widths... not really that much if you're used to cramming people in pinoy-style.
Our record is 9 guys (pero high-school pa ito, so that includes two or three 90 pounders) in a Toyota Corolla... a 70's Corolla, actually.
My recent record is 9 people in a 00' Sentra. Short distance only, back-streets, emergency... because normally, I won't let anyone ride without fastening their seatbelts. Of course, since the Sentra's suspension tuning is so soft, the whole thing squeaked for weeks afterwards.