Daihatsu Terios
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. A big improvement on the last one but still not great on-road.
Review
Remember the kid at school who shuffled off at the end of the summer term all braces and acne, only to return as the best looking in the year come the autumn term? That's what's happened to the Daihatsu Terios, with a little help from Toyota.
If you're wondering why the Terios looks suspiciously like a scaled-down Toyota RAV4, that's because the Big T had a guiding hand in the design and even sells the same car badged as a Rush in Japan. We can only praise the ugly-duckling-into-swan transformation that has been wrought on the Terios as it's now one of the smartest looking small SUVs on the market. Its dimensions are just right and it should help the car find a few owners who would have baulked at the idea of parking its predecessor on their driveway.
The Clearasil-style makeover continues on the inside where the Terios provides decent accommodation for four proper-sized adults, helped by deep rear footwells and an upright seating position in the rear. The boot is up to the job of carrying four people's luggage, though folding the rear seats to extend the luggage space is a palaver. Still, a low load sill will ensure the Terios remains popular with dog owners, even if the side-hinged rear door is not as practical as a top-hinged item. A smart, modern and clean dash style shows the Terios carries through its exterior style promise.
It's a shame, then, that the Terios cannot cut it when it comes to driving. The 1.5-litre engine works hard, but you can hear it doing so at all speeds. Hit the motorway and you'll find the engine is a rowdy companion, while wind noise is also a steady burr on the senses.
Firm suspension does not fully contain body lean through corners and the Terios' high-sided stance only accentuates this feeling. There's no problem with grip through corners, though the steering has little in the way of feel and requires a lot of twirling. However, off-road the Terios is a real Sherpa and makes surprisingly adept progress on slippery surfaces, helped by a tight turning circle. As with the kid who gets all cool over the summer holidays, the Terios is now a good looking small SUV, but it needs to go to finishing school for its driving manners.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
4 star
If you have a problem with perspective, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Terios for a Toyota RAV4. Daihatsu has got the style and dimensions of its dinky 4x4 spot on.
Handling
2 star
The high-sided Terios leans a fair bit in bends, but it hangs on gamely. Much more of a problem is steering that needs too many turns for the desired effect, though the turning circle is impressively tight.
Comfort
1 star
The firm suspension may help the Terios feel agile in town but it ruins any notions of comfort, and it only gets worse as speeds rise. Noise is also directly linked to the rate of travel and the Daihatsu's engine drones incessantly on the motorway.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
Daihatsu has a good reputation for building cars that last and the Terios is no exception. Some of the cabin plastics look built down to a budget, but they're well put together. The engine and transmissions should not give any trouble.
Performance
2 star
You'll need to keep your foot down hard to get the best from the 1.5-litre engine. Its 103bhp does its best, but a more leisurely approach is preferred. Off-road, the engine works well and hides its small capacity with decent low-down shove.
Roominess
3 star
Four adults can fit in a Terios without the onset of arguments about leg- or headroom. The upright seating position in the rear helps, while the boot is a good size for such a small off-roader and is easily extended by dropping the 60-40 split rear seat.
Running Costs
3 star
You can expect 35.8mpg on average from the Terios, which is decent for an SUV and group 7 insurance is affordable. Daihatsu asks you service the car every 9000 miles, which is more regular than some rivals, but the three year warranty comes with unlimited mileage cover.
Value for money
3 star
A Terios should hang on to its value much better than many rivals thanks to its looks and a steady stream of used buyers keen to get their hands on one. All models come well equipped, including air con, CD player and rear parking sensors.
