Finally a car unashamedly created for the ladies?

Many cars are aimed at either the male or female gender, or definitely lean more towards one than the other, whereas others strive to be neither too feminine nor masculine, so it is more neutral… but once in a while a car comes along that is quite clearly fit for finding favour with the fairer sex.  And more’s the pleasant surprise when the vehicle in question is the ever-popular lady-loving small cross-over/SUV type.

Well, with a name like Diva Deluxe, this is unambiguously a car which aims the arrow straight at the hearts of style-conscious women, or it’s the stage name of a drag queen.

What has made the Terios so popular?  Apart from its relatively low price (the Terios is priced as cross-over/SUV against compact hatchbacks) it is very easy to drive – the typical Japanese small-car gentleness makes for a soft clutch and soft gear changes with light power steering, while the high seating position and compact dimensions make it a breeze to ease about town.

Having been around since 2006, this tiny SUV is actually one of the first of its kind – OK, the original Toyota RAV4 created the small 5-door 4x4 segment way back in the mid 90s, but it has since grown to much bigger size SUV.  Interestingly, the current Terios feels very much like the original RAV4.  If you remember the first Daihatsu Terios, you won’t believe how tiny that was!  Which leaves the Daihatsu Terios as pioneer in the compact cross-over segment, which only now seems to gather momentum from other car makers.

The Daihatsu Terios is not the most comfortable or spacious vehicle – many people don’t like the flavour of the clever little Daihatsu’s rodeo-horse ride (especially if taking a speed hump just a bit too fast) nor its tinny feel (as plushness and well-padded doors are not installed here).  Its narrowness means that the interior is quite cramped up front, but then again has the benefit of zipping through traffic gaps (such as taking a slip-way next to standing cars which you can’t in most other cars) and it leaves more space at side-by-side parking bays, making it easier to get in and out of, without squeezing in between car and door.

Some items in the interior feel cheaply finished, though the simplicity of the styled centre console and door vertical large door grips (with 3 dimples for a touch of style) are well designed.  There is enough room in the rear for younger people or average-sized adults, and the boot’s 350-litre capacity is adequate, or fold down the rear seats for a larger space.

Fortunately the Terios Diva Deluxe is spruced up with some darling details:  the most obvious is the colour of the exterior decals and interior stitching.  With the Diva, only one colour was available: orange.  Now, with Diva Deluxe, customers can choose from one of four colours: pink (must be the favourite, as it's the classic feminine colour) or turquoise, black or white.  “Diva Deluxe” decals on the exterior are colour-matched to the chosen colour, and colour-repeated for the interior stitching – a girl’s got to colour-code.  The black leather seats with generous double-stitch flute-style and Diva embroidered on the backrest – all in hot pink – looks fresh and unique… and adds that feminine touch. For added safety, the Deluxe also gets front side airbags.  Both Diva and Diva Deluxe have a screen with rear parking camera display, and rear occupants get to enjoy DVD screens incorporated into the back of front headrests.

Other head-turning exterior features include the incorporation a funky rear boot spoiler and elegant chrome outer door handles, and the Daihatsu name appears on the hard spare-wheel cover mounted on the rear door (where it looks proper 4x4 tough, and – important for a lady – is easier to reach, and stays clean).

The 1.5-litre engine works better in this lighter 2-wheel drive setup than the heavier 4x4.  If you need the 4x4 capability, the Daihatsu Terios 1.5 4x4 is still the cheapest 5-door 4x4 on the market, retailing at R 264 995.

The Daihatsu Terios range starts at R 239 995 for the standard 1.5 manual 2-wheel drive, or the Special Edition (not a limited edition – it has been around since May 2010) adding just R 5 000 for an upgrade from manual aircon to automatic climate control and adds front side airbags.  The Diva model is available at R 259 995, and this Diva Deluxe costs R 274 995.

A number of other innovative features have been retained, including heel-protecting carpets, and seat and boot organisers.  The seat organizer hangs behind the front seat, making it ideal for storing anything from bottles and nappies to make-up and iPods / portable MP3 players.  The boot organiser helps to separate items carried in the cargo area – after the retail therapy shopping, dear.

It is no longer the most affordable little cross-over it once was, as newer arrivals are competing strongly price-wise.  They include the top-selling Ford EcoSport, which ranges from R 207 900 to R 264 900 (though no 4x4 is available), the GWM M4 at just R 189 900 (the cheapest of its kind), the Renault Duster costing between R 209 900 and R 267 900 for the 1.5dCi Dynamique 4x4.  The most lady-like alternative is the high-spec high-style Peugeot 2008, which comes only in 1.6 Allure trim, costing a R 277 900 – if you want comfort and a stylish friendly design, the lion badge is the one to shop. 

Finally a car unashamedly created for the ladies?  Heel protecting carpets is just one of the many features you’ll enjoy in the Terios Diva Deluxe.  Pink curly bonnet graphics and a Diva Deluxe badge on the tail make it a car designed with features just for women.