In-depth reviews

Daihatsu Charade (2003-2007) review

With our cities getting more and more congested it's little wonder that people are finally waking up to the qualities of smaller cars.

Daihatsu Charade
Overall Auto Express Rating

1.0 out of 5

Find your Daihatsu Copen
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

With our cities getting more and more congested it's little wonder that people are finally waking up to the qualities of smaller cars. This places Daihatsu in a rather enviable position, as its UK range of cars are all tiny. The latest, the Charade, is sub-supermini sized, but offers space that's nearly big enough to compete in the class above. One of the cheapest cars on sale in the UK the Charade looks even more appealing when you consider the specification, its low cost not translating to skimping on equipment. EL models come with driver and passenger airbags and ABS with EBD, while comfort and convenience items like central locking, electric front windows and mirrors and a CD player are also included. Opt for the SL version for £1,000 more and you'll add air conditioning, side airbags and alloy wheels. Both three and five door versions are offered, with prices starting at just £5995.

Does that value translate to a compromised drive? Certainly not, the Charade is an enjoyable car to steer, the narrow track combined with the upright driving position and good visibility making it very manoeuvrable in its natural habitat - the city. Out of the city limits the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine copes if you're on your own, but fully loaded on a long trip and the Charade proves tiresome. That's something that can be said of its rivals though, overall the Charade offering a very attractive package to those looking for well-specified, super-economical and funky-looking transport.

Engines, performance and drive

0

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

0

Interior, design and technology

0

Practicality, comfort and boot space

0

Reliability and Safety

0

More on Copen Convertible

Cars we can't buy in the UK, but wish we could
Best cars we can't buy in the UK – header image
Best cars & vans
24 Oct 2023

Cars we can't buy in the UK, but wish we could

We choose our favourite cars from overseas
New Daihatsu Copen GR Sport launched
Daihatsu Copen GR Sport - front
News
15 Oct 2019

New Daihatsu Copen GR Sport launched

Toyota has launched a hopped-up version of the Daihatsu Copen kei car, featuring a range of cosmetic revisions and chassis upgrades
Daihatsu Copen
Daihatsu Copen
In-depth reviews
29 Dec 2006

Daihatsu Copen

Cute isn't it?
Daihatsu Copen
Long-term tests
12 Oct 2004

Daihatsu Copen

Six months. That's crunch time for most relationships. During the early stages of a new romance, everything seems perfect. But as the novelty wears of…
Daihatsu Copen
Long-term tests
15 Jun 2004

Daihatsu Copen

I've got a new nickname that I'm not entirely happy about. The rest of the Auto Express team has started calling me Noddy. Why? Well, I'm driving the …
Daihatsu Copen
Road tests
27 May 2003

Daihatsu Copen

You don't have to enter a reality TV show to find out what it feels like to be a minor celebrity - simply drive a Daihatsu Copen down a busy British s…