Specials & Features

The Daihatsu Terios is a mini SUV, first released in 1997 by the Japanese car manufacturer Daihatsu. The engines are a modified Daihatsu Charade 1.3 litre or kei car 660 cc unit, with constant four wheel drive (4WD) or two wheel drive (2WD), respectively. It has 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission. The width of the first generation Terios is less than 1500 mm, to fulfil the kei car regulations. Also to meet these regulations, the kei car Terios is shorter, losing the rearmost side window. The second generation of Terios was co-developed by Daihatsu and fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota.

First generation Daihatsu Terios
Also called Toyota Cami
Dario Terios (in China)
Daihatsu Taruna (in Indonesia)
Perodua Kembara (in Malaysia)
Production 1997–2005
Engine(s) 1.3L HJ-EC SOHC I4
1.3L K3-VE Dvvt DOHC I4
659cc EF-DEM / EF-DET
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Related Zotye 2008


The first generation of its history was available as 4-door estate, and the smaller kei car model called the Terios Kid, which was only released in Japan

In 2000, Daihatsu gave the Terios a mild facelift both in the exterior and interior of the vehicle. A new chrome grille replaced the black plastic grille. The high-grade model gained electric front windows, central locking, rear seat head restraints, alloy wheels, roof rails and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. Mechanically, the 1.3 litre SOHC four-cylinder engine fitted to the previous model had been replaced by the new 1.3 litre DOHC four-cylinder engine. Power was also increased by 3 kW (4 hp). A sport version of the K3-VET engine was produced on Japan.

In Australia, a limited edition sports series was introduced in 2001 with only 200 units being available. The vehicle had body colour matching bumpers, different from the two-tone bumper colour on the standard model. Rear spoiler and sunroof became standard. The interior was updated with metallic paint finish on the centre console and dashboard.


* Terios (first generation)
o J100G 1997-1999 "HC-EJ" SOHC 1295 cc engine 89 PS (65 kW; 88 hp) 4WD
o J102G 2000-2004 4WD
+ engine "K3-VE" DOHC 1297 cc engine 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp)
+ engine "K3-VET" DOHC 1297 cc Turbo engine 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)
o J122G 2000-2004 2WD type ( K3-VE / K3-VET )


The first-generation Daihatsu Terios is also known as Toyota Cami. In Malaysia, the car is locally assembled as the Perodua badge as Perodua Kembara, in China is knowed by two ways; one of them as under the badge as Zoyte Nomada propelled with a 1.6 l engine provided by Mitsubishi (1st. series body); as an unauthorized copy of the car, which caused some controversy, and the FAW badged that as Huali Terios. The Terios is also carried in Venezuela as the same name of factory, Dahiatsu Terios.

In Brazil it was imported between 1998 and 2000 but few units were sold because it was considered too expensive by the local market — for instance, the Suzuki Sidekick and Vitara were direct competitors offering more powerful engines and a more prestigious brand for the same price. The version sold there – 1.3SX – was fully equipped with air conditioning, leather interior, 1.3 litre fuel injection engine, 4-speed manual transmission, and selectable 2/4WD, which made it high-end by Brazilian standards.

In Indonesia, this car is known as the Daihatsu Taruna which has a longer rear-based body capable of seating 7 people. The Taruna launched in 1999 with a different fascia and a 1589 cc HD-C petrol engine. The name Taruna translates roughly as "young knight" in Indonesian. It is available standard CS, CL, and FL trims; deluxe CX and FX trims; and sporty CSX and FGX trims.

A more "stylish" version, the Daihatsu Taruna OXXY, was launched in March 2005.

Second generation Toyota Rush
Also called Daihatsu Be-go (in Japan and China)
Toyota Rush
Perodua Nautica (in Malaysia)
Production 2006–present
Engine(s) 1.5 L [3SZ-VE] I4
Wheelbase 2,580 mm (101.6 in)
Length 4,055 mm (159.6 in)
Width 1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height 1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Curb weight 1,170 kg (2,579 lb)

The second generation known as Daihatsu D-Concept 4x4 made an appearance in 2005 at the Tokyo Motor Show before being named the new Daihatsu Terios, which went into production in 2006.

The second generation of the Terios is also wider, nearly 1700 mm, compared to the first generation which is less than 1500 mm.

On the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), the Terios has been succeeded by the Daihatsu Be-go and Toyota Rush, however, in European, South American and most other Asian markets, the new model is sold under the name Terios.

Both use 1.3 litre or 1.5 litre engine; diesel engined versions are awaited. Only the 1.5 litre version is available with both two- or four-wheel drive.

In December 2006, Toyota and Daihatsu in Indonesia launched the second generation of Rush and Terios which have longer wheelbases and offer 2 rows, or 3 rows of seats for 7 passengers. However, the car only comes with 2WD.