AS the Government's so-called scrappage scheme continues to attract customers wishing to benefit from the £2,000 trade-in allowance when purchasing a new car, a whole host of new vehicles have become decidedly hot property.
New cars which are lean and green currently attracting buyers to the already value for money small family car and supermini sector include the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, Fiat Grande Punto, Kia Picanto, Renault Clio, SEAT Ibiza, Hyundai i10, et al.
When studying any form of line-up there are always a number of relatively unsung heroes to consider before the final choice is made and one such example is the Daihatsu Sirion.
Welcomed to the UK motoring scene in the early summer of 1998, the Sirion made steady progress up the supermini league and, boasting a slightly retro look, spacious interior and fine fuel economy this five-door hatchback has proved very reliable and good value for money.
Said to take its name from the river featured in the Lord of the Rings, today's Sirion comes with a trio of petrol engines on offer, the 1.0-litre 68bhp, 1.3-litre 86bhp and the latest power source driven here, the 1.5-litre 102bhp, while trim levels of S, SE and SX prove progressively generous.
All of the Daihatsu Sirion range received a complete makeover recently with new bumpers, air intakes, wheel designs, improved rear suspension, plusher fabric trim and more figure hugging front seats while generous standard kit at entry level includes the likes of air con, alloy wheels, electric windows all round, dual rear speaker radio/CD player with MP3 or ipod input port, passenger and side airbags, including a front passenger bag which can be deactivated, plus remote central locking.
The range topping Sirion 1.5-litre SX driven here also adds further evidence of this sporting life via a deep front spoiler with mesh grille, front and rear fogs, eight-spoke alloys, side skirts and rear tailgate spoiler while also included in the inside story are front map lamps and digital clock. In addition, there are places in which to house those bits and bobs including a useful glovebox, front door storage pockets, plus cupholders front and rear .
While the luggage bay isn't huge it is user friendly shaped and provides 225 litre of luggage space with all seats taken which extends to 630 litres of flat load area to accommodate larger items.
Large windows add to the feeling of spaciousness, front seat occupants can enjoy some fine headroom and with plenty of leg and head room for a couple of six foot adults, the rear is surprisingly accommodating.
Facing a neatly laid out dashboard which includes a pod like moveable steering wheel and LCD panel complementing an easily navigable centre console, an agreeable driving position is painlessly arrived at with driver's seat height adjust and a height adjustable wheel.
Powered by an efficient new 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual gear change (there is a four-speed automatic gearbox alternative available for a further £800) the Sirion sits in neat and businesslike fashion on the tarmac showing off its wide stance styling complemented by striking flared wheel arches.
The 1.5-litre power source proved surprisingly spritely, its 102bhp being more than adequate for quite comfortable family motoring while boasting sufficient mid range torque to help deliver some quite effortless acceleration when required on the cruise while progress is pretty refined with engine, road and wind noise all taking quite a back seat for the most part.
Despite its high stance which introduces some body roll when cornering, the Sirion goes through corners in quite businesslike fashion while the standard vehicle stability control system in the 1.5 model helps to control traction when conditions demand.
Overall, the Sirion 1.5 SX is certainly good value for money, endorsing Daihatsu's product confidence with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty while agreeable CO2 emissions, insurance grouping and the promise of more than 54mpg over the extra urban cycle all contribute to some very user friendly running coasts.
FAST FACTS
Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 SX 5dr
Price: £10,280
Mechanical: 102bhp, 1,495cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 10.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 45.6
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage