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.