Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 SX

The Daihatsu Sirion probably isnt the most obvious supermini choice, but in 1.5-litre guise it has a lot going for it. Andy Enright reports

Sometimes the obvious choices arent always the most rewarding. Yes, there is an element of meritocracy that makes a best selling car, but is it outweighed by the depressing feeling that youre following an extremely well-worn tyre track? If that is indeed the case, the next option is to search for an alternative thats a bit different but which wont punish you financially nor be obviously off the pace. The Daihatsu Sirion is just that car and in 1.5-litre SX guise, its punchier than the class average too.

The Sirion has had quite a big job to do, having been given the task of replacing two car ranges. Not only did it pension off the old Sirion, but the latest car also had to cover for the YRV which bit the bullet. Marketed in Japan as both the Daihatsu Boon and the Toyota Passo, the Sirion has already got off to a sharp start. Since Daihatsu is part owned by Toyota, it has access to a huge amount of know-how when it comes to small cars.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

Not that the marque lacks anything in pedigree itself having been selling cars in the UK since 1964 longer than any other Japanese manufacturer. Driving a Sirion feels as if youve stumbled onto a secret that other supermini buyers arent privy to. While its resolutely modern in all the regards that matter, there remains an effervescent liveliness to it that seems to have been engineered out of many of its rivals, buried beneath layers of sound deadening and heavyweight materials. That lack of inertia gives the Sirion real get up and go and although the 1.

5-litre engine only generates 102bhp, itll still sling the Sirion SX to 60mph in 9.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 109mph. Peak power arrives at 6,000rpm, so youll need to give the throttle pedal some aggro to extract the best of the Sirions performance but there is some low down torque thanks to Daihattsus Dynamic Variable Valve Timing system. Handling is sharp with quick steering helping the Sirion to an almost neurotic ability to change direction.

Roll resistance is better than the class average although the brakes and gearchange can be bettered elsewhere. The fitment of stability control adds a welcome safety net to the cars handling repertoire, braking each wheel individually to prevent a loss of traction and to help correct an incipient skid.

"Driving a Sirion feels as if youve stumbled onto a secret that other supermini buyers arent privy to."

The truncated nose and nicely contoured rear wheelarch and rear wing combination are redolent of the sharply-styled Mitsubishi, although the front grille is a little anonymous. The front end of the car has been designed to do well in pedestrian safety tests, the deformable bumper and nose cone section and ample space below the domed bonnet being a whole lot friendlier than many rivals. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard on all models, as are ISOFIX child seat fixings in the outer rear seats and a trio of three-point seat belts in the rear. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are also included.

Theres certainly no shortage of headroom inside the Sirion. Six footers should find no issues in either the front or the rear and legroom is also surprisingly good. Its even possible to adjust the rake of the rear backrest. Naturally this abundance of cabin space comes at a price and rear luggage space isnt the best.

Like most modern superminis, the Sirion features a multitude of cup holders, stowage spaces, trays and cubbies and it also includes a split level glove box, neither compartment yielding much in the way of useable space. Rather surprisingly, the seats are firmer than youd expect and give good support, even to broad-shouldered drivers. To date, the Sirion has campaigned with either an 87bhp 1.3-litre, developed from a unit shared by the previous Sirion and indeed, the Toyota Yaris - or the entry-level engine which is a 1.

0-litre three-cylinder unit that punches above its 69bhp weight. The addition of the 1.5-litre powerplant in SX trim moves the range a little further upmarket but Daihatsu has been realistic about the limits of this cars badge equity and kept the price sensible at £9,495 on the road. This means it undercuts cars like the 86bhp Mazda2 1.

3, the 1.2-litre Vauxhall Corsa and the 1.2-litre Renault Clio. Although these cars are bigger, the Sirion counters with more engine.

Its also very well equipped, a consequence of buying a range-topping car rather than one at the foot of its line up. Expect to find stability control, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric windows all round, twin front and side airbags, a CD stereo and remote central locking. Theres also a rev counter, an LCD info panel on the speedometer that shows current and average fuel consumption plus an auxiliary input for your iPod. Add to that a deep front spoiler, front fog lights, side skirts and a tail spoiler and the package looks very competitive, Fuel economy is strong with the Sirion 1.

5 SX able to return 54.3mpg on the extra urban cycle, which is manufacturer jargon for typical A-road driving. Specify the car with an automatic gearbox and that figure drops to 51.4mpg which is still hardly ruinous.

The auto box tacks another £800 onto the price and is really only worth it if much of your driving involves schlepping along through city snarl ups. You should see around 36 per cent of your initial investment back three years down the road if you choose to resell the car. This is the one area where Daihatsus poor product recognition will hurt the buyer, this figure being far worse than a Mazda2 or even a Mitsubishi Colt. Insurance is unlikely to be too steep, with the Sirion being rated a very safe bet and unlikely to draw the wrong sort of attention.

Security is also well rated. Going determinedly against the flow has to have a caveat somewhere but in the case of the Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 SX its easy to argue that the benefits outweigh the costs. Its important to go into buying any car with your eyes open and factoring in the Sirions modest residual value will enable you to compare it with rather more boring rivals that will nevertheless cling onto their value a bit better.

As with anything else, weighing the cost of this transaction will enable you to come to a decision as to whether the Sirion represents a decent value proposition. Much will depend on how much you actually enjoy driving. If a car is little other than a motorised shopping trolley, look elsewhere. If youd rather have something that will paint a grin on your face as soon as you turn the key, the Daihatsu Sirion 1.

5SX is money very well spent.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 SX
PRICES: £9,495 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 142g/km [est]
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 109mph / 0-60mph 9.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION:(extra urban) 54.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, EBD, stability control WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length 3600mm/Width1665mm/Height1550mm