GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Daihatsu - Sirion - 5-dr hatch

Our Opinion

We like
Value, equipment, engine performance
Room for improvement
Automatic transmission, driving dynamics, premium unleaded, refinement

10 May 2001

DAIHATSU launched the all-new Sirion in July, 1998. The diminutive four-door marks a return to form for previous baby-car leader Daihatsu.

Cute and fresh describes the inspired, upright design of the quirky Sirion.

Toting an all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, twin cam, multi- valve engine that sings its heart out, a well stocked equipment list and a low price tag, Sirion is an understandable sales success.

Dual airbags, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners and frontal offset and side impact beating bodywork are standard. Anti-lock brakes are optional.

Plus, in a crash, the doors unlock, the hazard flashers activate and the fuel supply is cut.

Inside there are two vanity mirrors, electric windows front and rear, power door mirrors and plenty of storage bins. A height- adjustable driver's seat and rear speakers are about all you will miss.

The hatch lifts to reveal a wide, surprisingly spacious boot, complete with a space-saver spare stored under the cheap-looking boot carpet.

The dash is functional and quite nicely laid out. Seats are covered in office chair-issue cloth bearing a snazzy if restrained pattern.

If the interior is a little more downbeat than the exterior, the levels of fit and finish lift the spirits.

But the test car's build quality was suspect with a multitude of squeaks, rattles and groans when under way. Body rigidity may be suspect because the front doors creaked every time the car was accelerated from a standstill.

The gearbox also whined intrusively - particularly annoying when the constant thrum of the busy, gutsy, three-cylinder engine was factored in.

The apparently paltry 40.5kW peak at 5200rpm and 88.3Nm at 3600rpm is enough for the Sirion to buzz around effectively in town. At 800kg all up, it is little wonder.

The ride is pretty good - the long wheelbase helps - and the steering is direct although the Sirion is not a class-leader for straight-line stability as it is easily nudged off line by bumps and lumps in the road. At parking speeds the weight of the non- assisted steering also becomes noticeable.

Overall, the Sirion is a spirited Japanese baby car that oozes value and charm. It is not perfect but if you stay in town, it is probably all the car you will need.

- Automotive NetWorks 05/07/1999

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Sirion

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here