If you're coming down from a Land Rover I reckon you'll feel like the Daihatsu Terios is quite a dinky little car, with a 1.5 engine and relatively low slung body. But if you're coming up from a family saloon etc then you'll really feel like you're in a good solid off roader with good road manners as well. It's a decent, comfy, reliable car, which, when you want it to, can do a lot of fancy climbing.
The Terios is a pleasure to drive in most circumstances, very well balanced and doesn't sway much. It takes the corners well. It can be a little bit firm sometimes, and the seats aren't exactly armchairs -- although not flimsy either -- so it's a balance.
I like the recessed speed dial, cos my other half can't quite see the speed! There are enough luxuries dotted about too, the aircon is especially useful at the time of year. The Daihatsu Terios isn't overly luxurious as a car, but not too austere either.
The space inside the Daihatsu Terios is a really pleasant surprise, compared to what you see outside. The boot is very adequate indeed, easily enough for two sets of golf clubs and trolleys. The three back seats split in two, so they can be folded down separately. I mean, either the right two seats or the left one seat, which makes for a nice adaptable space. Lots of space too, the seats fold down nice and flat, although they don't tuck away under the front seats like they did on our old Yaris Verso. Still, the Daihatsu Terios is a bit taller and still have loads of space inside.
The one down side I'd say about the Daihatsu Terios, especially for the Land Rover crowd, is that despite the good off roading ability and 4x4, it aint a tower, and lugging a caravan around will be tricky with anything but a fairly small one.
I've had a lot of 4x4 type cars in the past but my wife is a bit of a tree-hugger and she's not happy about the kind of fuel consumption and co2 outputs they entail. So I compromised by going for something which is at least marketed as more environmentally friendly than most of this type of cars.
So I got away with it and it's actually a fairly nice car, too, the Daihatsu Terios is not as wide as most 4x4s that I've owned but it sure is tall! I kind of like the look in this way. The performance is nothing to shout about but I suppose this might have something to do with how 'green' it is (whatever).
However, the Terios 1.3 Auto is cheap. Really not a bad price at all, around the 14 grand mark new, and thanks to the size it is more practical and urban-friendly than most comparable motors. The running costs also aren't bad relatively speaking and it handles well. All in all if you love 4x4s but want a slightly cleaner conscience then go for the Daihatsu Terios.