Daihatsu Terios Estate 1997-2000

It is an entry-level 4x4 car with distinctive Japanese design traits. In many countries this is not only the narrowest, but also the cheapest off-roader. As far as the dimensions are concerned ‐ the narrowness is there for a purpose. They had to keep it this narrow in order to qualify for the local kei-car sector. In Japan kei-cars are massively popular, but they have to be kept to a certain size in order to qualify.

Apart from the funky looks, the Terios is a very basic and old-fashioned car. It is built on a ladder frame, just like the traditional 4x4s of the 80s. Because of this the Terios is not particularly comfortable, but as it was built the traditional way, it is a decent off-roader.

It's nowhere near as versatile as a Land Rover or a Jeep, but it is a good attempt to rival these better known 4x4 brands.

Pros and Cons:

• Constantly featured in various 'Cheapest 4x4 car' lists
  A good little entry-level off-roader

• Bad reputation and image
  It is crammed and not very comfortable
  Too basic in some areas

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Exterior and Interior

The car is Japanese through and through. If you're keen on manga art and tamagochis, you're bound to like the Terios. Although it has the proportions of a 4x4 car, it is often perceived and used as a city car. It's a cute and funky little car with oodles of character. In late the 2000's the Terios received a subtle face-lift and its kit was also somewhat improved, making the interior design more pleasing to the eye. The face-lifted version received alloy wheels, some stylish plastic body details and a few safety features including the ABS and airbags.

If you're average-built, you'll find the car reasonably comfortable. Taller and bigger people won't have much joy, the car is really narrow.

The boot is of a comparable size to any other small city-car. With folded seats you're getting 540 litres of luggage space.

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Engines

There's only one engine to choose from ‐ it is a fortified Daihatsu Charade powerplant with 1.6-litre displacement producing 83BHP. It's a good, strong engine.

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Performance and Economy

It takes 15 seconds to reach 60mph, but most will agree, acceleration is not the main feature you look at when choosing a 4x4. A 1.3-litre engine is powerful enough for a car that hardly weighs more than a ton. Also expect a relatively good fuel economy averaging around 35-37mpg. The Daihatsu Terios is the cheapest 4x4 car you can get and it is not very demanding when it comes to maintenance.

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What it's like to Drive

The car is very easy to drive in the city. You can park in places where other 4x4s couldn't dream about parking. Short rides are actually quite pleasant. It's the longer drives or off-roads where you will struggle.

There are two versions of the Terios ‐ a rear-wheel drive and a full-wheel drive. If you simply want a city car that looks different, the rear-wheel drive version will be good enough, but then why go for something less? A 4x4 modification will only have slightly less mileage per gallon and it is a proper off-roader if you don't stretch your luck. The car has enough clearance and power to get you out of sticky situations. If anything, it is more capable than any two-wheel drive car out there.

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Faults and Repairs

Daihatsu are quite reliable, mainly because they're built in such a simple way. The small 1.3-litre engine has been around for quite a while and has proven itself powering the Charade and some other licensed models. It is advisable to get yourself a post-2000 Terios. The updated version of the 1997 model it will have less things to worry about. If, however, something goes wrong, parts are cheap and so is the labour. Look underneath the car before buying ‐ if it's been through off-road wars, you might want to look for another example that has lived an urban life.

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