The Little Giant: A Comprehensive History of the Daihatsu Terios

In the vast and often crowded landscape of the automotive world, some vehicles command attention through sheer size and power, while others carve out a legacy through cleverness, adaptability, and unwavering practicality. The Daihatsu Terios belongs firmly in the latter category. For over two decades, this compact SUV has been a quiet achiever, evolving from a quirky, mountain-goat-like mini 4×4 into a sophisticated and family-focused crossover. Its story is one of shrewd engineering, global partnerships, and a remarkable ability to adapt to changing market demands. This is the evolution of the Daihatsu Terios.

First Generation (J100 Series): The Rugged Pioneer (1997-2006)

In the late 1990s, the SUV boom was in full swing, but most offerings were large, thirsty, and cumbersome. Daihatsu, a master of compact vehicle engineering, saw an opportunity. The company envisioned a vehicle with the high driving position and off-road credibility of an SUV but packaged within the city-friendly dimensions of a small hatchback. The result, launched in 1997, was the Daihatsu Terios.

Built on a modified Daihatsu Charade G200 platform but utilising a robust ladder-frame chassis for durability, the first-generation Terios (chassis code J100) was an instant curiosity. Its tall, narrow, and short-wheelbase design gave it a unique and somewhat top-heavy appearance, but this was a direct result of its engineering goals. The design prioritised a small footprint and excellent manoeuvrability, making it perfect for Japan’s tight city streets and narrow mountain roads.

Powertrain and Drivetrain: Initially, the Terios was powered by a 1.3-litre HC-EJ SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, producing a modest 89 horsepower. The true hallmark of this generation, however, was its drivetrain. Unlike many “soft-roaders” of the era, the J100 Terios featured a full-time four-wheel-drive system complete with a lockable center differential. This was serious hardware for such a small vehicle, granting it genuine off-road capability that shamed many larger, more expensive competitors. A 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission was available. For markets prioritizing fuel economy over all-terrain prowess, a rear-wheel-drive version was also offered.

Mid-Cycle Facelift (2000): In 2000, the Terios received a significant update. A subtle exterior redesign brought a new grille and headlights, but the real change was under the bonnet. The old engine was replaced by the more advanced 1.3-litre K3-VE DOHC engine featuring Daihatsu’s “Dynamic Variable Valve Timing” (DVVT). This new unit was smoother, more efficient, and boosted power to a more comfortable 86 horsepower (though figures varied slightly by market). This updated model is often referred to by the chassis code J102G.

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Trim Levels: Trim levels varied significantly by export market, but common designations included:

• E/EL: The basic entry-level model.
• S/SL: A mid-range trim often adding features like air conditioning and power windows.
• SE/SX: Higher-spec models that could include alloy wheels, two-tone paint, roof rails, and improved interior fabrics.
• Sport: A trim that added more aggressive body styling, such as unique bumpers and side skirts.

The Kei-Car Sibling: Terios Kid (1998-2012) A testament to its Japanese roots, a smaller version called the Terios Kid was produced exclusively for the domestic market. Conforming to Kei-car regulations, it featured a 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine and was even narrower and shorter than the standard model. It retained the 4WD system and proved immensely popular in Japan as a practical and economical all-weather vehicle.

Global Rebadging: The J100’s robust and simple design made it an ideal candidate for rebadging. It was sold as the Toyota Cami in Japan and famously became the Perodua Kembara in Malaysia, where it was instrumental in popularising the SUV segment. It also had brief stints as the Premier RiO in India and the Zotye 2008 in China.

Second Generation (J200 Series): The Global Contender (2006-2017)

After a successful nine-year run, the Terios was completely redesigned for its second generation in 2006. This was a pivotal moment for the nameplate, marking its transition from a niche mini-SUV to a polished, globally-focused product. Developed in a joint project between Daihatsu and its parent company, Toyota, the new Terios (chassis code J200) was a radical departure.

The quirky, narrow styling was gone, replaced by a wider, more muscular, and contemporary design. It was significantly larger in all dimensions, offering vastly improved interior space and stability. While it moved to a more modern unibody construction with an integrated ladder frame for rigidity, it crucially retained its off-road DNA.

Powertrain and Drivetrain: The standard engine was a new 1.5-litre 3SZ-VE four-cylinder engine, also equipped with DVVT, producing around 103 horsepower. This provided a much-needed performance boost for highway driving. In keeping with tradition, the J200 continued to offer both a 2WD (rear-wheel drive) configuration and a sophisticated full-time 4WD system with a lockable centre differential. This commitment to genuine 4×4 capability remained a key selling point and a differentiator in the increasingly crowded compact SUV market.

A Tale of Two Wheelbases: A major innovation for this generation was the introduction of two distinct versions:

1. Short-Wheelbase (SWB): The standard 5-seater model that directly replaced the first-generation Terios.
2. Long-Wheelbase (LWB): A stretched version with a third row of seats, offering 7-person capacity. This model (chassis code F700) dramatically increased the vehicle’s practicality and family appeal, particularly in emerging markets.

Trim Levels: The second generation saw an improvement in features and safety. Trim structures became more defined, commonly including:

• S: The base model, often equipped with steel wheels and basic amenities.
• SX: A volume seller that added alloy wheels, air conditioning, and a better audio system.
• SE/Kando: High-end trims that could include features like climate control, parking sensors, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and additional airbags.
• Special editions and market-specific trims were common throughout its long production run.

The Toyota Rush and Other Aliases: The collaboration with Toyota was most evident in its rebadged twin, the Toyota Rush. Sold alongside the Terios in many markets, the Rush was virtually identical save for badging and minor trim differences. This dual-brand strategy allowed the platform to capture a massive share of the market, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The SWB version was also sold for a short time in Malaysia as the Perodua Nautica. The car was also known as the Toyota Bego in some countries.

Third Generation (F800 Series): The Modern Crossover (2017-Present)

In late 2017, the third-generation Daihatsu Terios was unveiled, and it represented the most significant philosophical shift in the model’s history. Responding to overwhelming market trends favoring on-road comfort, fuel efficiency, and interior space over rugged off-road ability, Daihatsu reinvented the Terios.

Co-developed once again with Toyota, the new Terios (chassis code F800) abandoned its longitudinal engine, rear-wheel-drive-based platform. Instead, it moved to the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA), a modern front-wheel-drive unibody platform. The body-on-frame toughness and the full-time 4WD system were gone. The Terios had officially evolved from an SUV into a Crossover MPV.

Design and Engineering: The new design is sleek and aggressive, with sharp lines, LED lighting, and a prominent grille that aligns it with modern crossover aesthetics. It is exclusively a long-wheelbase, 7-seater vehicle, cementing its new role as a family hauler. The FWD platform and new electric power steering provide a car-like driving experience, a stark contrast to the truck-like feel of its predecessors.

Powertrain: Power comes from a 1.5-litre 2NR-VE four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i, producing approximately 103 horsepower. While the power output is similar to the outgoing model, the engine is tuned for low-end torque and fuel efficiency, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The move to front-wheel drive was a pragmatic decision, reflecting the reality that the vast majority of customers in its target markets rarely, if ever, venture off-road.

Trim Levels: The third generation offers a modern suite of features arranged in a clearer trim hierarchy, commonly seen as:

• X: The entry-level variant, offering essential safety features like ABS and airbags, along with basic comforts. “X Deluxe” versions add cosmetic enhancements.
• R: The higher-spec model, which introduces features like push-button start, a touchscreen infotainment system, digital air conditioning controls, and more advanced safety systems like VSC and Hill-Start Assist.
• R Custom/Adventure: Top-tier trims that add bespoke body kits, unique wheel designs, and premium interior accents.

Like its predecessor, this generation is sold concurrently as the Toyota Rush, and also forms the basis for the Perodua Aruz in Malaysia.

Legacy of a Chameleon

The evolution of the Daihatsu Terios is a masterclass in automotive adaptation. It began life as a genuine, no-frills mini 4×4, a unique proposition that offered incredible off-road talent in a tiny, economical package. It then matured into a globally competent SUV, retaining its rugged core while adding the space and refinement needed to appeal to a wider audience. Finally, it transformed into a modern, FWD 7-seater crossover, perfectly aligned with the priorities of today’s families.

While some purists may lament the loss of its 4×4 system, the Terios’s continued success proves that Daihatsu has always understood its customers. Its legacy is not one of speed or luxury, but of providing exactly what was needed, when it was needed. From the mountains of Japan to the bustling cities of Southeast Asia, the Terios—in all its forms and under all its names—has remained a little giant of practicality, reliability, and clever design.