THE Daihatsu Terios makes a fashion statement Kate Moss would be proud of.
It packs a big visual punch on the road or the driveway – despite being one of the smaller 4x4s on the market.
The styling is full of energy and verve and the compact nature of the Terios also makes it a lot less cumbersome around town than some of its more illustrious rivals.
This is one off-roader that is relatively easy to park – helped by enthusiastic sensors and a tight turning circle which make the car nimble and easy to manoeuvre.
And at a shade over £14,000 it is price competitive in a sector where the battle for sales is fierce.
The 1.5-litre engine is a willing performer provided you are prepared to be generous with the exertions of your right foot.
The Terios gets away from the lights in fairly good order, but to do this you have to put up with a fair amount of engine noise.
The five-speed manual gearbox is pretty slick but the car still takes 12.2 seconds to go from 0-62mph on in its way to a top speed just shy of 100mph.
So if your looking for a flashy performance to go along with the spangly alloys forget it.
The interior is functional and comfortable with a modern look. There are relatively small seats and the steering wheel only adjusts for height – but that shouldn’t stop the majority of drivers finding a decent position behind the wheel.
The seat adjusts for height, while all-round visibility is good and the dash is clearly laid out and places everything within easy reach.
Although the Terios is a lot smaller than most 4x4s, there’s still a decent amount of space inside.
While the cabin is narrow for three across the back seat, there’s enough head and legroom for four adults to sit comfortably.
Access to the rear seats is easy via the wide-opening doors and high seat position, while the boot is excellent offering 380 litres of space that swallows a decent wedge of shopping or luggage.
The rear seats also fold and tumble forward to leave a flat, extended load area.
One quibble though is the fact that there is no rear cover for the boot to hide valuables from prying eyes.
As far as equipment is concerned the entry-level S trim wants for little in the way of buttons to push.
There's power-steering, radio/CD player, air-conditioning, full-time four-wheel drive with electronic centre diff-lock, side airbags, four electric windows and reverse parking sensors.
The more expensive SX trim of the Terios I tested adds visual upgrades such as alloy wheels, wheelarch extensions, roof rails, fog lamps and privacy glass.
As far as ride and handling go the Terios relies on permanent four wheel drive for grip while the suspension is firm without being uncomfortable.
Safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic distribution of stopping power, plus front and side airbags.
Running costs are low for a 4x4 with economy of 34.9mpg and a wallet-friendly insurance rating.
Daihatsu says that the Terios has got off to a strong sales start and is expected to be its best-seller in the UK.
It stands a decent chance of achieving this goal.
FAST FACTS
Daihatsu Terios 1.5 SX
Price: £14,295
Mechanical: 103bhp, 1,495cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 99.4mph
0-62mph: 12.2 secs
Combined mpg: 34.9
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 191g/km
BiK rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles; 8yrs anti-rust