DAIHATSU TERIOS

Despite some serious revisions, the new Daihatsu Terios feels old and out-classed. Not by a long chalk is it a proper SUV, but it’s also pretty hopeless as a road car. Which makes it, well, useless.

• Comfort

  As comfortable as being at sea in a small boat in a large swell. It rides well enough thanks to big boots, but is way too unsettled to ever put you at your ease.

• Performance

  Performance stats aren't exactly a selling point for the Terios. It takes over 16 seconds to get to 60mph, making it one of the slowest cars on the market. Get the automatic gearbox and things get even worse.

• Cool

  Since Jeremy went to be part of a hunt in one, it's immeasurably cool. Truth be told, it's muddy boots utility always meant it was cooler than the sum of its parts.

• Quality

  If cheap plastics are your thing, then the quality rating here should be 20. They aren't ours, in any way shape or form, so we'll only give it 8.

• Handling

  The Terios handles like a toddler who's been through the liquor cabinet. Its tiny wheelbase, narrow width and excessive height combine to create all sorts of unnerving pitch and roll.

• Practicality

  Four-wheel drive, short and nippy - the Terios is a reasonably practical small off-roader. But it also won't tow a horsebox, so therefore little Timmy and Tara won't find it especially useful at the gymkhana.

• Running costs

  Fuel economy isn't what it could be, thanks to that four-wheel drive and the drag coefficient of a double-decker bus. It's also not cheap enough considering what little you get for your money.