Competitive 4x4 motoring with Daihatsu Terios

With the R word heard increasingly and as people tighten their belts, some may still be looking to drive an SUV with 4x4 capability without having to spend a fortune or lug around some huge truck-like off-roader. The Daihatsu Terios may be the solution for such motorists. Let"s face it, how often do the owners of a Rav4, Suzuki Vitara or Land Rover Freelander really venture off road? The furthest some of those vehicles get is a pavement in Dublin 4. The popularity of these types of SUVs is explained in their appeal from versatility, style and perceived status points of view rather than their off road abilities. As these vehicles have evolved, manufacturers seem to have recognised that there is little point in placing great emphasis on their off-road ability and that it"s better to concentrate on the appeal of an SUV from its versatility standpoint. That has been reflected in how these cars are changing and the new Daihatsu Terios follows the trend. The previous Terios was a rather small, narrow car of limited appeal, however the new one has grown-up and Daihatsu Ireland likes to make comparisons against the Suzuki Vitara and Toyota Rav4. (Interestingly nowadays the parent company of Daihatsu is Toyota!) To give you some idea of its scale, it is longer than the Vitara, as wide as the Honda HRV and taller than them all while also boasting the longest wheelbase. The new Terios is available 2WD and 4WD, in manual or automatic. I spent 400km behind the wheel of the 4WD model to see how the Terios compares to its rivals. First Impressions The style is certainly appealing. The new Terios is much chunkier looking with flared wheel arches and a much broader stance. The stylish alloy wheels and roof rails add to its cheeky good looks. The cabin is neat, well put together and functional. The dashboard is clearly laid out and the driving position offers a commanding view of the road ahead. The comprehensive standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, front and rear electric windows, remote locking, a multi-function display, electric mirrors, driving seat height adjustment and a stereo CD player. Safety Safety features include, driver and passenger airbags, ABS, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, and an impact release system, which in the event of a crash will unlock the doors, operate the hazard lights, turn on the interior light and cut off the fuel supply. The cabin is visibly roomier than its predecessor and Daihatsu claims that the distance between the front and rear seats now equals that of the Toyota Rav4 at 850mm. The load area has grown too and now boasts some 380 litres of space, enough for four 45-inch golf bags no less... For those with children it easily took a buggy and associated multiple items that one needs when transporting infants. Performance The Terios is powered by a newly developed 1.5 litre DVVT (Dynamic Variable Valve Timing) petrol engine which produces 105PS with emissions of 186g/km. This emissions figure gives the Terios the best C02 reading of any four-door SUV, diesels included. It is a nice lively free-revving unit that gave the Terios plenty of sparkle when it came to acceleration. On the downside it revs at quite a high 4,000rpm at 120kmh in fifth, making the engine note buzzy and intrusive at speed. It"s a nippy car that proves responsive and the smooth five-speed gearbox is light and easy to use. From a fuel economy point of view it"s impressive burning just 7.0 litres per 100km on average over the test period. It drives and handles well. About town it"s compact and easy to manoeuvre thanks to a 9.8m turning circle, but out on a country road the ride feels rather firm and can be a bit joggly over poor surfaces. Apart from the aforementioned engine noise at motorway speeds, it is well insulated. The full-time 4WD works well, giving excellent traction on slippy or greasy road surfaces. Should you wish to venture deeper into the mucky stuff then simply pushing a button engages the differential lock enabling the driver to negotiate deep mud or more challenging conditions. Verdict This is a well thought out package that is nicely built, stylish and well equipped. Prices for the Terios start at €23,875 for the 1.5 2WD manual. The 1.5 4WD tested here costs €24,875 and will cost €630 a year to tax. If you want a compact SUV, you are on a budget and you want a car that will prove truly reliable, the new Terios could fit the bill.