Daihatsu Materia 1.5 Review: Materia(l) related Puns...
I HATE being on the receiving end of a bad joke, and like war in the middle east and bin Laden, it keeps happening from time to time and is almost unavoidable. Just like the Daihatsu Materia – you cannot avoid this car without so much as a 2nd stare, not glance.
The car simply defies its tall stature. Body roll isn’t half as bad as one might expect, and the suspension is firm enough for a twenty something year old to proclaim he owns a “cornering” work of obtuse geometrical art for a “sports” car.
Predicably, the car understeers at the limits, but fret not as ABS, EBD and brake assist leap to the rescue should you go overboard.
On the open road, you wouldn’t feel too out of place in the fast lane and the car cruises very comfortably without being to jiggly.
It does get a tad noisy after 130km/h, and the engine makes itself loud and clear when revved to the red line, but that’s as bad as it gets.
We calculated fuel consumption to be just under 8 litres for every 100 km under extremely heavy, pedal to the metal city driving situations, which suggests Vios like fuel efficiency.
Daihatsu's have never hit the charts with their cars, but the Materia makes a brave, bold statement – it’s hip-to-be square. It is a fashion accessory with the substance to back it up, and it is surprisingly practical and economical.
At about $57,000, it's extremely spacious, well equipped, and it has better-than-average ride and handling. Best part? Its cheaper than a bB. Forgive the ergonomics and you’ll be on your way to hippie heaven with this one!
Credits: Text and Photos by Amery Reuben
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