Daihatsu Terios 1998–2000 car dimensions: 3845 mm long, 1555 mm wide and 1695 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,045 kg. Braked towing is 1,400 kg.
The cabin is compact and basic with dual front airbags, power steering and a radio-cassette player standard on the DX. Manual air conditioning and power windows feature on higher grades such as SX, with air conditioning made standard across the range from mid-1999. ABS is optional. No advanced electronic driver aids appear in the equipment lists.
Boot space is modest at around 205 litres with seats up, expanding to about 450 litres with the rear seats folded. The split-folding rear seats help with longer items, and there is a underfloor storage niche.
Braked towing capacity is 1400 kg and unbraked 400 kg, with payload around 455 kg. Full-time 4WD with centre differential lock suits light off-road and utility work, though there is no low-range transfer case.
The cabin is compact and tall with a high seating position for five. Basic manual air conditioning is fitted along with power windows and central locking on most grades. Seats are simple cloth with split-fold rear and no power adjustment. Controls sit high on a minimalist dash with radio-cassette. UV-cut and privacy glass help, while a sunroof is available on some versions. Space feels tight for adults but upright and practical for short trips.
1.3-litre petrol engine with multi-point injection
Fuel tank holds 46 litres
Dual front airbags standard
ABS available as option
Front disc and rear drum brakes
TAF crash safety body structure
The 1.3-litre engine runs on regular unleaded and returns combined figures in the mid-to-high 7s to low 8s litres per 100 km depending on manual or auto gearbox. City running sits higher while highway use drops lower. Range from a full tank covers typical daily needs without frequent stops.
Routine checks follow a schedule starting early then at regular kilometre marks. The four-wheel-drive system with centre differential needs attention to fluid and seals. Parts remain available through specialists given the model's global spread.
Safety kit centres on dual front airbags, pretensioner and force-limiter belts front and rear, plus side-impact bars and a reinforced body. ABS was optional rather than standard across grades. No official star rating appears for this generation in major tests of the period.
Living with the Terios means accepting a basic but tough small SUV that handles light trails thanks to ground clearance and constant 4WD. Keep up with oil and filter changes and it stays reliable for urban and weekend use.
Length 3845 mm, Width 1555 mm, Height 1695 mm, Wheelbase 2420 mm (Terios 1998–2000)
Sources: manufacturer data, Daihatsu official press release, CarsGuide 1998 dimensions page and carsales 1998 DX specs, auto-selection 1998 fiche and km77 DX 4WD.