Review: Daihatsu Sirion
Daihatsu has given its dinky Sirion a facelift. The little 1,3-litre car now has a reworked front grille area and headlights, new instruments, additional stowage bins in the cabin and improved soundproofing. Mechanically everything remains unchanged — the same 1300cc 75kW 16-valve engine gives the Sirion lively performance and the four-speed auto gearbox with Steershift is still an option.
The Sirion is about the safest and best-specced car in its class, with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, dual air bags, aircon, electric windows, central locking, power steering and electric side mirrors. The five-speed manual costs a few bob less than R120 000, with Steershift auto transmission adding another R10 000. We think the auto is the best small self-shifter around, but for the price we’d like to see remote door locking, a sound system and alloy wheels.