Daihatsu Terios (06-10) - Review

The downside of good cornering is that the Terios' suspension is firm and so ride quality suffers. The engine becomes noisy when pushed (the automatic particularly so), which can make motorway trips tiring. However the seats are comfortable enough and there's plenty of space for both front and rear occupants with room for four six-footers. The rear seatbacks can recline too, allowing the rear passengers more comfort.

The boot is larger than that of a Ford Focus and the rear seats have a 60/40 split - they can also be folded and tipped forward leaving a flat load space for carrying larger items. Some models have roof rails for added practicality. The rear door is side-hinged rather than opening upwards (because there's a spare wheel mounted to it) so if there's limited space (for instance in multi-storey car parks) you can't open it fully. The glovebox is small too as the passenger airbag eats into the space.

The Terios has a high seating position, which gives a good view of the road ahead, but it's not as comfortable as it could be, as the steering wheel can only be adjusted for height - not for reach. The major controls are well laid out and there's a chunky, durable feel to the cabin. It's easy to manoeuvre with a tight turning circle and reverse parking sensors. However while the cabin is neatly laid out and the deep-set dials looks good, the shiny plastics on the centre console look cheap and there are other areas where quality seems below par.