|
Talk about the cars you like in ONE.MOTORING Forum's Road Tests.
Forum |
 |
This is what we want of the Daihatsu Terios 7. If it's affordable and very good, it will be the best thing to happen in bread-and-butter motoring - we have another option to look at now, in case you're bored of the usual sedan crowd.
Exterior
Exterior
 |
Assembled in Daihatsu's Indonesian plant, the Terios 7 has been extended some 315mm over its Terios counterpart, so as to accommodate that much-needed extra row of seats. Daihatsu also packaged the Terios 7 well enough to give it all the proper image - every Terios 7 comes with 16" rims wrapped in all-terrain 215/65 R-16 Dunlop rubbers, and this combo does a good job of occupying the tyre-well. Also coming standard from the factory are side-steps and that spare tyre compartment to add everything up and give it that rugged outlook.
There's nothing to fault the Terios 7 in this particular department and in fact, it looks more purposeful than the Terios.
There's nothing to fault the Terios 7 in this particular department and in fact, it looks more purposeful than the Terios.
 |
Inside
There's no denying that the Terios 7 does feel like it's built to a price but at least Daihatsu put in a whole lot of effort to prevent it from feeling too cheap - like the air-con controls and the wiper and signal stalk for example. But look around, and you'll notice that there are designer bits around the inside of the car.
The dash consists mainly of brushed aluminium, and with that DVD audio head-unit that doubles up as a reverse camera monitor, the Terios 7 instantly gets an upmarket feel.
Look around inside and you'll soon find that all the amenities and conveniences of a contemporary MPV have been cleverly packaged into an SUV. You can lug more people around all thanks to the extra row of seat, and to make it a more comfortable journey for all at the back, Daihatsu also included a three-speed rear air-con.
With all the seats up, boot-space is almost impossible. But on days you don't need that extra row of seat up, simply fold it down and you have sedan-like loading capability. Need more space to move items? Fold down both row of seats and there you have it - van-like space in an instant.
There's no denying that the Terios 7 does feel like it's built to a price but at least Daihatsu put in a whole lot of effort to prevent it from feeling too cheap - like the air-con controls and the wiper and signal stalk for example. But look around, and you'll notice that there are designer bits around the inside of the car.
The dash consists mainly of brushed aluminium, and with that DVD audio head-unit that doubles up as a reverse camera monitor, the Terios 7 instantly gets an upmarket feel.
Look around inside and you'll soon find that all the amenities and conveniences of a contemporary MPV have been cleverly packaged into an SUV. You can lug more people around all thanks to the extra row of seat, and to make it a more comfortable journey for all at the back, Daihatsu also included a three-speed rear air-con.
With all the seats up, boot-space is almost impossible. But on days you don't need that extra row of seat up, simply fold it down and you have sedan-like loading capability. Need more space to move items? Fold down both row of seats and there you have it - van-like space in an instant.
 |
On the Road
The Terios 7 is powered by the same 1,495cc 3SZ-VE DVVT powerplant seen in the Terios. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, it produces 103bhp and does the century sprint in 15.3 seconds - nothing much to shout about with regards to the figures, but on the contrary we're glad to report that the job gets done in a refined manner.
The Terios 7 has a decent driving experience - on the expressway, it's very respectable with wind, road and tyre noise kept at a bare minimum. Although the ride errs on the soft side, the Terios 7 absorbs road irregularities of sorts with aplomb and nothing else detrimental about it. Its steering wheel is appropriately weighted for urban roads, and is a cinch to drive during weekend Orchard Road traffic. And oh, parking it is an idiot-proof affair too despite its stature.
The good thing about having that height is that you seat tall and have a good view of the road - and that is surely something much appreciated if you're the sort of commanding "safety-first" driver. Speaking of safety, the Terios 7 comes factory-fitted with twin SRS airbags upfront and ABS with EBD. Braking power? More than adequate, although it's a front disc and rear drum combo. The cabin has also been made extra-rigid for occupant safety in case the inevitable ever happens.
The Terios 7 is powered by the same 1,495cc 3SZ-VE DVVT powerplant seen in the Terios. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, it produces 103bhp and does the century sprint in 15.3 seconds - nothing much to shout about with regards to the figures, but on the contrary we're glad to report that the job gets done in a refined manner.
The Terios 7 has a decent driving experience - on the expressway, it's very respectable with wind, road and tyre noise kept at a bare minimum. Although the ride errs on the soft side, the Terios 7 absorbs road irregularities of sorts with aplomb and nothing else detrimental about it. Its steering wheel is appropriately weighted for urban roads, and is a cinch to drive during weekend Orchard Road traffic. And oh, parking it is an idiot-proof affair too despite its stature.
The good thing about having that height is that you seat tall and have a good view of the road - and that is surely something much appreciated if you're the sort of commanding "safety-first" driver. Speaking of safety, the Terios 7 comes factory-fitted with twin SRS airbags upfront and ABS with EBD. Braking power? More than adequate, although it's a front disc and rear drum combo. The cabin has also been made extra-rigid for occupant safety in case the inevitable ever happens.
Conclusion
For that sub-$70k asking price, the Terios 7 offers quite good value for money considering that it has the potential to double up as an MPV. It's also a good alternative for car buyers seeking something else besides the sedan crowd.
For that sub-$70k asking price, the Terios 7 offers quite good value for money considering that it has the potential to double up as an MPV. It's also a good alternative for car buyers seeking something else besides the sedan crowd.
 |
True, it doesn't offer the same boot space as a sedan, but think of the pros the Terios 7 has - an extra row of seat that can come in handy during family outings, and a boot space that no sedan can match once you fold the rear seats flat. Performance is something you don't have to worry about either - the 1.5-litre engine, although not exactly the brawniest, is adequate for daily punts.
Ideally, it's a neat packaging. Hence if you're a family man seeking a rugged-looking car with added flexibility, you can't go wrong with the Terios 7.
Ideally, it's a neat packaging. Hence if you're a family man seeking a rugged-looking car with added flexibility, you can't go wrong with the Terios 7.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: 1,495cc, 6-cylinders in-line, DOHC
Power: 103bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 140Nm @ 4,450rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Length / Width / Height: 4,370mm/ 1,695mm/ 1,745mm
Wheelbase: 2,585mm
0-100km/h: 15.3 seconds
Engine: 1,495cc, 6-cylinders in-line, DOHC
Power: 103bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 140Nm @ 4,450rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Length / Width / Height: 4,370mm/ 1,695mm/ 1,745mm
Wheelbase: 2,585mm
0-100km/h: 15.3 seconds
|
Oneshift.com is the new, hip authoritative website for the passionate car enthusiast who wants to have anything and everything to do with cars. Backed by a community of strong enthusiasts, including a professional panel of road test journalists, Oneshift has under its wing a supportive, growing car community that houses members of every age from different walks of life.