City car so practical.

ECONOMY cars are all the rage at the moment and the Daihatsu Sirion series runs to no less than 14 versions.

From 1.0 to 1.5 litres, all are petrol with five-door body, four-speed auto on some and prices spanning pounds 8,300 to pounds 11,780.

Three trim levels of S, SE and SX can be added to with a + pack.

We wanted to test the model which many are now ordering, the entry level S+.

The three-cylinder engine is perfectly capable of delivering good performance when lightly loaded with a driver only aboard. It's an instant starter, pulls quite well and very willingly.

You have to stir it along on the five-speed gearstick but that's no hardship either thanks to a very light clutch and a direct action.

The ratios mean a quick flick out of first and little time is spent in the intermediate gears before you arrive in top.

The steering is very light because even at this level it is powered and town driving is very easy. The Sirion can be parked in the smallest places without wrist-breaking force being needed.

The Sirion scrambles for grip on some surfaces but its overall tendency was to gently run wide around bends. Lift off and the nose comes back on line very easily.

There is no doubt that as a city car the Daihatsu Sirion+ is a good choice if you do not need to carry a lot of people.

CAPTION(S):

DECENT DRIVE - the Daihatsu Sirion is a good choice for town routes