Daihatsu Sirion GTvi Car Review

If your budget will only stretch to a small hatchback and your transport needs are mainly urban commuting with some occasional open road touring, the Daihatsu Sirion GTvi could be your answer.

Based on the standard Sirion hatchback, the GTvi boasts a heap of extra safety and comfort equipment plus a greater capacity high performance engine.

Externally, its alloy wheels, front, rear and side body skirts, rear spoiler, chrome protection moulds, bumper mounted driving lights and GTvi badging, set it apart from the base model Sirion. Basic differences on the inside are the sports steering wheel and front seats, instrument cluster and trim fabric.

The GTvi with manual transmission is priced at $16,990 and the automatic transmission version is priced at $18,790. A metallic or pearl paint option is available at no extra cost, but air conditioning is an additional $1570 (approx.).

The standard equipment list is high and includes dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, engine immobiliser, power windows, mirrors and door locks, alloy wheels, sports steering wheel, body kit, single CD player, sports instrumentation, tinted glass and height adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners.

The 1.3 litre, DOHC, 16 valve engine is a completely new Daihatsu developed power unit, featuring Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT), plastic intake manifolding, direct fuel injection, an alloy oil pan and electronic spark advance with knock control. The intake valve timing can be varied over a 42 degree range and is controlled electronically through a hydraulic valve mounted adjacent to the camshaft sprocket. At a signal from the engine management computer, the timing is fully retarded for start-up and advanced as driving conditions demand.

A conventional five speed manual transmission has been designed to complement the high performance, or alternatively, a four speed, dual mode, electronically controlled automatic transmission with a 'Steer-Shift' function is available. The automatic transmission can function normally, or at a flick of the dash-mounted switch the driver can control the gear changes using the 'plus and minus' switches mounted on each side of the steering wheel. While this mode enables closer control of gear change intervals, it will prevent the engine from labouring by automatically selecting the lower gears at very slow speeds and preventing upshifts when the road speed is too low for the position selected.

The overall bodywork of the GTvi is a little disappointing with ill fitting trim and carpet in the luggage compartment, flimsy bumpers, limited underbody and panel soundproofing and maladjusted door strikers. Door and hatch seals were unable to seal the interior from dust ingress.

The GTvi is fitted with sports-style front seats offering the driver and front seat passenger good support and comfort, although legroom may be limited for taller drivers. Rear seat comfort is not as generous as the front, with limited head and legroom and shoulder room suited only to two adults or three children. The seat contours and the lack of a head restraint in the centre position render it suitable for occasional use only. Storage areas are adequate but not as generous as some competitors. The 60:40 rear seat fold does increase the storage capacity, but fails to provide a flat floor area.

Most controls are positioned for easy operation, although I thought the 'Steer Shift' switch was awkwardly placed and the stereo controls were fiddly. Anti-lock brakes and dual airbags provide additional safety, while an engine immobiliser and stereo coding boost the GTvi's security rating.

Although marketed as a sports type vehicle, the GTvi is a compromise at best. The high performance engine needs to operate in the high rev range to achieve its best and while it is responsive under those conditions it is not entirely conducive to either suburban or highway driving. When encountering twisty sections of highway the automatic transmission's 'Steer Shift' mode adds a dimension of pleasure, although there are times where the system overrides the driver's wishes resulting in some dissatisfaction.

The GTvi's handling and braking ability is an adequate match for its on-road performance, and the power steering improves its manoeuvrability compared with the base model.