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.

There aren't that many about, but the last model, built between 2005 and 2010 was spacious and comfortable.

It's available with 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol engines from Toyota, with power outputs of 68, 86 and 103bhp.

All are economical, but the willing and lively 1.0 and 1.3 models are the best. The 1.5 I found a bit gruff and hardly faster than the 1.3-litre.

Chunky good looks are backed up by ability and you get a more practical five door for the same price as other car makers' three doors.

Performance is good in the 1.0-litre and better in the 1.3, and it's matched by very safe road holding and handling.

I once drove 500 miles in a day in one and was still enjoying it when I got back home.

Equipment is good as standard and the interior quality is very good. The cheapest 1.0 S comes with four airbags, air conditioning, height-adjustable steering, remote locking, four electric windows and colour keyed bumpers.

SE spec adds alloy wheels and rear parking sensors so it's well worth hunting for.