Terios review
If ever a dog needed taking by the scruff and shaking, Daihatsu’s first Terios was it.
Now the little woofer is history, replaced by a bigger, five-door version. With permanent 4wd and off-road capability, could it make a good second car for a farming family?
Standing a tad too tall for its width, the snub-nosed, bob-tailed body seats 4/5 and is just high enough to give some view over hedges.
At this end of the market you do not necessarily expect much quality or kit but an SX-spec Terios surprises: while some of the trim is flimsy and the carpet paper-thin, the outside is tidy and nothing rattles.
Inside you’ll find aircon, side airbags, parking sensors, a heated front screen plus the now-obligatory black rear glass. Basic comforts are handled by softish seats and reasonable ventilation.
Driver’s seat height adjustment and a tiltable wheel set up a good driving position, promptly wrecked by a low-set gearstick and a flat-action clutch pedal. Cabin decor is funky enough to impress the kids and bright with it, despite the predominantly black trim and no sunroof.
Two grownups can sit (rather than lounge) in the back, with the option to squeeze in a fifth. If the back-seaters are average-sized they will find good legroom, even with lanky individuals up front.
When stuff takes priority over people, the back seats split-fold quickly to produce a flat-floored, almost cuboid space measuring 1.22m x 1.04m x 0.96m (48in x 41in x 38in) – about the same as a five-door Freelander. Loading height is low and there’s no fat bumper to lean over, but the single rear door does open towards traffic.
The free-revving 1.5 petrol engine sits well back in its bay. Performance is unexceptional (about 13 sec to 60, 99mph tops) although low gearing and the 103hp motor’s more-sound-than-fury rasp makes it seem quicker.
Motorway work is surprisingly relaxed thanks to low noise from wind and tyres. On fuel economy expect around 30mpg. Driving is some-and-some. Star turns are the direct steering, passably balanced handling, good grip and strong brakes, all of which encourage you to push along. Chief duffer is the restless, fretting ride which never gives peace.
The Terios is not a mountain goat. You get road tyres on reasonable-sized 16in rims, permanent 4wd, and it asks only for a finger-stab to engage a centre diff lock. Spice comes from a clean underbody and short overhangs, limitation from high first/reverse gears and a lack of low-speed pulling power.
Verdict: Small road-biased package with good kit count, much improved compared with its predecessor.