The Sirion has been awarded a four-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, with all models coming with driver, passenger and side airbags – which is still rare for a car of this class – ABS and front seatbelt pre-tensioners. There are Isofix anchor points in the rear, though a rearward facing childseat shouldn’t be used in the front passenger seat, as the airbag cannot be deactivated.

Security is taken care of by the remote central locking and immobiliser, both of which are standard across the range.

The boot is quite large for a car with such compact proportions and loading is made easier by the low load height. Inside there are a number of cubbyholes and storage boxes – such as the flip-down compartment under the centre console, which is ideal for concealing a mobile phone – plus there’s a reasonably sized glovebox and cupholders throughout. The rear seats fold down – but not totally flat – for added interior space, and a neat trick is that they can slide forward and butt-up against the backs of the front seats, so any items on the back seat do not fall onto the floor.