When a car is ‘hot’, everyone wants part of the action, and this is definitely the case with the new Daihatsu Terios. Toyota, which owns Daihatsu, has badge-engineered the Terios as the Rush, when it is really a Daihatsu through and through. Both cars are built at the Daihatsu factory, with the only difference being the badges that each car wears.

What makes the Terios (and Rush) so hot? Well it’s a combination of factors. Firstly, its size is just right. Larger than the previous model (or the Perodua Kembara, in other words) it slots into the segment vacated by the 1.8-litre 3-door Toyota RAV4 when the new larger 2.4-litre model was introduced earlier this year. Styling-wise as well, Daihatsu has given the Terios the cheeky-but-rugged look that suits this pint-sized SUV to the tee. The combination of sharp teardrop-shaped headlamps contrasts nicely with its perky, up-right bodywork, giving the Terios an irresistible terrier-like stance.

The other area in which the Terios scores is that it is a bona fide off-road vehicle with its own drivetrain and chassis, not just a family car dressed to look like a 4WD vehicle. Its 4-cylinder 1.5-litre engine is mounted longitudinally and the permanent 4x4 means that all the wheels get power all the time. The system also allows drivers to lock the centre differential should one of the wheels loses traction or gets stuck in mud. As with a real 4x4 however, this means that there is some mechanical noise through the driveshafts running under the floor.

Another factor that makes the Terios so attractive is its commanding driving position. From behind the wheel, the driver sits high and with an eye-level equivalent to an MPV or full-sized SUV. The view overlooks the bonnet and gets a good view of the road ahead. One certainly doesn’t feel small or vulnerable.

Having a boxy, upright body also makes the Terios remarkably space-efficient. With almost no tumble home and vertical window panels, the Daihatsu certainly feels much wider than it looks. Also, as the passengers are seated above the wheels rather than between them, the cabin is unbelievably spacious, especially for the rear passengers. Just to put things into perspective, the Toyota Corolla Altis is almost 500mm (475mm actually) longer than the Terios, yet the cabin in the Daihatsu SUV is actually longer and more spacious. To top it off, the rear seats on the Terios are split and can recline independently, making it even more versatile.

Those in front get a smart black dashboard with metal-like surrounds for the instruments, centre console, and at the door handles. This gives the cabin a welcomed high-tech look and feel. A useful and informative gadget is the six-mode trip computer integrated into the speedometer - this calculates fuel consumption (instantaneous and average), range and even has a pressure-sensitive altimeter. All around, the fit and finish of the Terios is impressively tight and of a high-quality. In fact, the air-con controls look incredibly like those from the Toyota Yaris! Handy features such as front and rear power 12v outlets makes the Terios really very practical.

In having a dedicated 4x4 powertrain and chassis, the Terios does drive and handle a bit differently from a standard car though. Its steering feels lighter and a trifle less direct than that of a sedan, but also more positive than those found on SUVs with separate ladder-frame chassis. There is also slightly more transmission noise than normal, but this in return gives the Terios solid and rugged persona.

So if the Toyota Rush has caught your eye, seriously consider the Daihatsu Terios. Both cars are identical and come from the same factory, and as the Daihatsu is officially brought in by an authorized dealer, one gets the assurance of a full 3-year factory warranty and comprehensive aftersales support. Remember it is the Daihatsu Terios that’s hot, and Toyota wants part of the action – not the other way around.

Credits: Justin Lee