Daihatsu Materia
The Daihatsu Materia uses its square styling to the max in offering a spacious interior with plenty of practicality. Theres some nice detailing as well and although youre in no danger of being blown away by the performance or the economy, its a fun and highly individual choice.
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Over recent years, weve seen overhangs shrink and rooflines rise as citycars and small MPVs gradually evolve in boxy directions but with its Materia, Daihatsu may have gone further towards the inevitable than any marque before it. Is it really hip to be square? The Materia arrives on these shores with some history behind it. Its the second generation of a vehicle that had been on sale in Japan badged as a Toyota and in the United States under Toyotas youth-orientated Scion brand. Daihatsu is a Toyota-owned company these days and the Japanese also have a Daihatsu-badged version but where we know ours as the Materia, they call theirs the Coo.
Whatever you want to call it, theres no doubt that the Materia is an unusual sight for UK eyes with nothing looking quite like it having made it over here through official channels as yet. Nissan threatened to import their aptly-named Cube which follows similar visual themes and if the Materia strikes a chord with buyers, who knows? They certainly fit neatly into the shipping containers.
"Is it really hip to be square?"
Daihatsus links to Toyota loom large yet again in the Materias engine bay where youll find the 1.5-litre variable valve timing petrol engine thats also seen service in the Toyota Yaris as well as Daihatsus own Terios. The unit develops its maximum 102bhp at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 131Nm at 4,400rpm. It all means that, in common with most variable valve timing petrol engines, the Materias installation gives its best in the upper reaches of the rev-range.
At lower engine speeds, expect good refinement and a smooth delivery of what power there is but no fireworks. The 0-60mph sprint will take 10.8s in the five-speed manual car or 13.7s if you opt for the four-speed automatic.
Theres also a 106mph top speed. The Materias handling characteristics have been tweaked for European tastes with the addition of a front anti-roll bar that the Japanese market manages without and firmer suspension. At the rear, theres a semi-independent torsion beam set-up and the steering is through a rack and pinion system with hydraulic assistance. The stubby nose helps deliver a tight 9.
8m turning circle. Daihatsu claims that the vehicle has established a cultfollowing in the markets where its offered for sale and its easy to see how it might. The squared-off lines and dramatically flared wheelarches are extremely distinctive with the car maintaining a low, ground-hugging stance despite being taller than supermini MPV rivals like Vauxhalls Meriva and Renaults Modus. The squat look is further enhanced by the narrow glasshouse and the high window line that rises up towards the rear of the car.
Recent Daihatsu products have ditched the traditional wafer thin plastics and cheap detailing of a budget Asian brand in favour of Toyota-sourced switchgear and sturdy build quality. The Materia continues the theme with a classy look and feel to its cabin which, incidentally, is as spacious as the boxy exterior would suggest. The rear bench slides fore or aft adjusting the ratio of rear legroom to boot space and at the back, the load floor is flush with the tailgate so hefty objects can be easily slid inside. Entries and exits are made simple by the deep door openings and there are some impressive detail touches about the cabin including the liquid black finish of the plastic stereo surround and the spooky blue illumination of the armrests in the front doors.
With one engine and one trim level, choosing your Materia should present few problems. The Car retails at £10,995 with the manual gearbox or £800 more with the automatic that might find favour amongst city drivers. In its other markets, the car has been marketed at younger buyers looking for the extra practicality and space that a supermini MPV yields over a standard supermini but without the frumpy image. The Materia seems to fill the role well and although it may be destined to live out its life as a niche market product over here, it definitely brings something fresh to this rather staid market sector.
Theres only one factory option on the Materia (metallic paint for £325) but standard equipment levels leave very little to the imagination when you remember that were talking about an £11,000 car. Theres air-conditioning, a CD stereo with MP3 compatibility, remote central locking, a split folding rear seat, alloy wheels and front fog lamps. Safety kit includes twin front and side airbags as well as ABS with EBD. The combined cycle fuel economy of the Materia is nothing to write home about, the 1.
5-litre petrol engine recording just over 39mpg when mated to the manual gearbox and just under 38mpg when specified in conjunction with the auto box. Weve been conditioned to expect headline grabbing economy figures from small diesel engines in the supermini-MPV sector and the Materias lack of a diesel option may put some buyers off. CO2 emissions of 169g/km are also fairly average. The Materias unorthodox styling and relative exclusivity should stop it from depreciating too violently as should Toyotas influence on the build quality and reliability fronts.
All models come with Daihatsus standard three-year unlimited mileage warranty. The supermini MPV sector doesnt usually give us much to get excited about, populated as it is by supermini-based vehicles boasting a smidgeon of extra practicality. Vauxhalls faintly ridiculous Meriva VXR performance model or Peugeots 1007 with its sliding doors were about as lively as this category of vehicles got before the Materia came along. Theres no doubt that the way it looks will repel as many punters as it entices but if youre one of those who rather likes the box-based styling, youll find a well-built, spacious and good value small car lurking beneath.
A diesel engine would have been nice for the improved economy and extra muscle but the petrol keeps the upfront cost down and it will do an adequate job for families in our congested urban areas. The cult following that Daihatsu says the vehicle achieved in America and its home market is probably the best that the Materia can hope for here but thats better than no following at all and whos to say that it wont catch on more forcefully, encouraging other manufacturers to consider the undoubted merits of the box.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Daihatsu Materia
PRICE: £10,995 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 3 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 169g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.8s / Max Speed 106mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side airbags, ABS, EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 3800/1690/1635
