Daihatsu Terios

Daihatsu Terios II at a glance

Daihatsu, Toyota's small-car specialist, built the Terios as a compact, genuinely off-road-capable SUV at a time when most rivals were turning into front-wheel-drive crossovers. The J200 replaced the first-generation J100 of 1997 and was sold as the Toyota Rush in many markets and as the Daihatsu Be-go in Japan, while a long-wheelbase seven-seat version (F700) was built in Indonesia by Astra Daihatsu Motor.

In Europe, the Terios II was a niche car for buyers who wanted real four-wheel drive in a small, affordable package. The company's history is told in the history of Daihatsu, and its models are listed in the Daihatsu catalogue.

Engines, gearboxes and four-wheel drive

European cars used the 1.5-litre engine, rated at 105 PS in Italian and German specifications. Only the 1.5 was available with four-wheel drive, which is permanent: a centre differential splits the torque, and a button locks it for mud, snow or sand. There is no low-range transfer case, but short gearing helps on rough tracks. The Terios reaches about 160 km/h (99 mph), and 0–100 km/h takes 12–15 seconds depending on gearbox and drive.

Daihatsu claimed about 12.7 km/l (7.9 L/100 km, 29.9 mpg US) for the 1.5 4WD, in line with the figure of about 8 L/100 km quoted for European cars. The engine meets the Euro 4 emissions standard.

Dimensions, interior and boot space

Inside, the Terios offers a high driving position and wide door openings, and even tall drivers sit comfortably. The centre console groups the instruments, with a central speedometer and an LCD screen for fuel consumption, temperature and time; audio and climate buttons sit on the steering wheel, and automatic climate control and leather trim were available on top versions. The tailgate opens sideways, which is awkward in tight parking spaces, and the boot is modest once the rear seats are folded.

Before and after the J200

The first Terios (J100) went on sale in April 1997 as a small, narrow four-wheel-drive SUV and was also sold as the Toyota Cami and, in Malaysia, the Perodua Kembara. The J200 that replaced it in 2006 was larger, with rear-wheel drive as its base layout. After the J200 ended its run, the third generation (F800) was unveiled on 23 November 2017 as a seven-seat SUV, again with a Toyota Rush twin.

Facelift and equipment

A minor update in late 2008 brought revised bumpers and grille, clear rear lamp lenses and a plastic spare-wheel cover as standard. Standard equipment typically included power steering, central locking, an immobiliser, air conditioning and front airbags. Italian testers criticised the safety equipment: only front and side airbags, and no stability or traction control even as an option on the Centenario trim.

In Italy, the 1.5 Centenario cost €23,801 new in 2007; by 2016, used examples were quoted at under €9,000.

Safety

Airbag counts varied by market and trim: the Italian Centenario had front and side airbags only, while some better-equipped European versions listed six airbags and pretensioning front belts. The Terios has a high centre of gravity, so body roll is noticeable, and early European cars lacked electronic stability control. On 4WD versions with the automatic gearbox, hill-start assist (HAC) and downhill assist control (DAC) help on steep slopes.

Reliability and common problems

The Terios has a good reputation for mechanical durability, and Italian used-car reviewers describe it as reliable and capable off-road. Points to note:

• Stiff suspension and pronounced body roll at speed.
• Coarse engine and wind noise on the motorway.
• Imprecise body panel gaps, although interior plastics are solid.
• Only front and side airbags and no stability control on some trims.

Rivals: how the Terios compares

The Terios competed with small four-wheel-drive SUVs such as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Jimny and the smaller Suzuki Vitara, and with front-drive crossovers that looked similar but lacked its permanent 4WD. It was cheaper than the Toyota RAV4, but slower and less refined. More options are listed among Japanese SUVs and 4x4 vehicles.