Reviews - Daihatsu

Overall Rating

Fourtrak is tough and a true off-roader, close in character to the Defender. It's cheap and does the job, but there are better choices if you put comfort before practicality.

• Long-lived 2.8 turbodiesel engine
• Well constructed and very durable
• Very respectable off-road abilities

• A very old design - and it looks it
• Only three doors; side-facing seats on seven-seaters
• Lacks comfort and refinement

Fourtrak is over twenty years old; it got independent suspension and an uprated 2.8 engine with the launch of the Independent series in 1993. That it lasted so long is a testament to its rugged character. Unlike lightweight 'leisure' compact 4x4s, it's a fully-fledged off-roader, with minimal overhang, good ground clearance and bags of torque. Fourtrak's natural habitat is up a hillside with a couple of sheep in the back. It's reliable, it can take a lot of punishment and it doesn't pretend to be sophisticated, family-friendly (although TDL and TDX seven-seaters have tip-up side-facing rear seats) or comfortable. Some went 'suburban' - big alloy wheels, colour-keyed bits and bobs, even two-tone colour schemes - but Fourtrak is not a relaxing long-distance drive, with a hard ride, lots of body roll, lousy acceleration and high noise levels. Servicing is straightforward, insurance is only Group 8, and 30mpg is possible.

NCAP: Not tested

Best Models: 2.8 TDX & SE

Worst Models: None

Replacement: N/A

• Jeep Wrangler
• Nissan Terrano SWB (1993-99)
• Vauxhall Frontera Sport