Used Daihatsu Sirion review: 1998-2002

In these days when fuel economy is such a burning issue, the Daihatsu Sirion looms as a real contender for those who want cheap and reliable transportation. The Sirion has never been one of the best-selling cars in the small car segment, it tended to go unnoticed, but those who paid more attention to it found it to be a well-built and well-equipped small car that lived up to promises of reliability and fuel economy. .

WATCH MODEL

The Sirion's appearance is a matter of taste, and when it was released in 1998, opinion was divided.

Its overall shape was round and rather squat, not at all smooth and slender like its rivals of the time. It had large headlights that gave it a bulging look, a large oval grille, and an oddly offset license plate.

The use of chrome also somewhat clashed with the look of the time, which was bleaker with body-coloured bumpers and the like, when the small Daihatsu used flashy chrome trim.

But at the end of the day, style is a matter of personal taste, and there's no doubt that some will find the Sirion cute and cuddly.

Among other things, the Sirion five-door hatchback may appeal to many. As an offshoot of Toyota, Daihatsu's build integrity was undeniable, even though it was a budget brand.

Let's be honest, the Sirion was never meant to be a family car, at best it was a car for singles or couples with no kids who only needed a backseat for a dog or the occasional haul of friends. This is not a criticism, but simply an acknowledgment that the Sirion is indeed a small car.

It was small by all measures, but still had ample head and leg room given its small overall size. The trunk was also quite large, mainly because Daihatsu used a compact spare tire.

The engine was a tiny, fuel-injected, DOHC, 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit that produced a modest peak power of 40kW at 5200rpm and just 88Nm at 3600rpm.

You don't have to be an Einstein to know he didn't have the performance of a sports car, but that wasn't the point. On the road, it was a lot of work to keep up with the backpack, especially if it was loaded with a full complement of adults, which meant constant use of the gearbox. It struggled when it hit a hill, and overtaking required planning and patience, but if you were willing to let go of the backpack, you could enjoy a more leisurely ride and save fuel at the same time.

At launch, the front-wheel drive Sirion was only available with a five-speed manual transmission, a four-speed automatic was not added to the lineup until 2000, but this only highlighted the Sirion's performance limitations.

Although the Sirion was not a sports car, the ride and handling was quite acceptable. It had a small turning circle, which made it very maneuverable in town and in parking lots, but it did not have power steering, which made the steering quite heavy.

Despite its modest price, Sirion was fairly well equipped. The list of standard features included central locking, power mirrors and windows, and a bi-folding rear seat. Anti-skid brakes and air conditioning were installed as options.

Fuel consumption was one of the Sirion's most attractive features, and in city driving you could get an average of 5-6 l/100 km.

Before we rush, it's important to remember that Daihatsu exited the market in early 2006, leaving the Sirion something of an orphan, even though Toyota has committed to providing ongoing parts and service support.

IN THE SHOP

The solid build quality means there are few issues with the Sirion, so it's important to check each machine thoroughly. Although there are no common problems, individual vehicles may have problems and need to be identified.

The dealer reports strange cases of engine and transmission oil leaks, as well as leaks from the cooling system, possibly caused by lack of maintenance.

It is important to use the correct coolant in the system and follow Daihatsu's recommendations for changing it. Unfortunately, this is often neglected and can lead to problems.

Look for signs of abuse inside and out from an inattentive owner and check for crash damage.

IN ACCIDENT

The dual frontal airbags provide pretty decent crash protection for a small car.

Anti-skid brakes were an option, so it would be wise to look for brakes equipped with them to boost the active safety package.

SEARCH

• Quirky style

• Sufficiently roomy interior

• Good boot size

• Modest performance

• Excellent fuel economy

• Several mechanical problems

BOTTOM LINE

Small in size, balanced in performance, the Sirion is a pump winner.

EVALUATION

80/100