IF you're looking for a five door supermini that stands out from the crowd and has an excellent reliability record, see if you can find a Daihatsu Sirion.

The first model made between 1998 and 2005 was an odd rounded shape, but it has reasonable space and 1.0-litre or much quicker 1.3 engines .

This 1.3 was borrowed from Toyota and modified to give over 100bhp. With wider wheels and tyres it's a cracking car to drive.

Later, four-wheel-drive and Rallye models were devised purely for the UK market, with even more power and kit.

The Sirion Mark II is still available and has better, chunky good looks. It is also immensely capable, with five doors and better than average performance from very good sounding engines.

Even the 68bhp 1.0-litre does not often feel slow, and the 86bhp 1.3 is hugely willing and free revving. The performance is matched by very good road-holding and decent comfort.

Equipment is good as standard and the interior quality is a big step up in the latest model, which also has more space.

: Ford Fiesta