Daihatsu have never really made an impression in the UK, with the Sirion probably being the most common model. The Materia is probably one of the funkiest cars I've driven though and surprisingly other people love it just as much.
From the outside it looks a little basic and blocky, but certain lines and design points soon grow on you and make the car a very stylish specimen. Delivered in a deep red that arguably look purple, the Materia features very few highlights apart from a giant frosted white boot lip with the model insignia written across it. All in all, this car looks as square as it sounds, but there's something about it that makes you want to love it.
The interior is quite the opposite however, a giant dash that curves around, sits under the cinematic windscreen, feeling spacious. Rear legroom is generous and makes for a comfortable ride. The traditional driver focused dials are all centered for all to see and control everything from the stereo to some interesting mood lighting, based within the bezels of the speakers and door handles. Flashing blue and pulsing to your favourite anthems - perfect for advertising yourself on those cold nights at the viewpoint.
We took it on the ultimate trip to Falmouth, packing it full with bags and 'stuff', 3 passengers and a good selection of road trip tunes. It’s surprising how much you can fit in this little tardis, not to mention seating us all snug inside. With all the added weight we still managed to reach a tidy 35-mpg. Handling isn't necessarily the best as the chunky styling is affected by the wind, although doesn't deter from any confident driving you may wish to perform, as the car sits fairly low to the ground itself, giving it a low centre of gravity, playing a key part into how this car performs.
Performance itself isn’t going to be the key to winning any races (try taking shortcuts). With a 0-62mhp time of 10.8 seconds it seems sluggish compared to many other hatches on the market, but consider it as a mini MPV and it’s fairly matched.
Lastly, cost. A cavernous, funky, chunky MPV that would give Lady GaGa competition for quirkiness, for just over £11,000 is certainly a boast for anyone. With the added bells and whistles GaGa would be jealous of, it's a hit with us here a Top Gayer and definitely cool
I say this without shadow of doubt; the Copen is the gayest car I've ever driven. Imagine if you will; 18yr old disco bunny, full drag, arms flailing around stood in the middle of a dance floor, lip-syncing to some abomination by Step's / ABBA. The Copen is the motoring equivalent. However the Copen is far more endearing and entertaining than the aforementioned queen. It'll also attract ten times the attention without the fuss, or the requirement to tell it how amazing it looks every three minutes. It's because its cute with a funky appeal that I actually totally fell in love with it. Everybody you pass smiles, it's a very happy car as is anyone in it.
It's the smallest of micro-cars, but still seats two in the relatively cramped but comfortable interior. The seats are sporty yet supportive, the dashboard layout is simple but ultra effective and adding the optional Recaro seats and red leather interior really makes it stand out. The handling is pretty much that of a Go-Kart, which of course makes the Copen a lot of fun to drive. It sticks to the road and bunny hops round tight corners, I was surprised at just how well it does handle. Performance is great with 0-62mph taking under 10 seconds, which doesn't sound quick, but being 3" off the ground with the front / rear bumpers feeling less than 3ft away from you, it certainly feels quicker.
Boot space with the hard-top hood up is superb, although almost non-existent when down, don't think you'll be stowing your Gucci shopping bags inside the cabin with you either, if there's two of you in the car, then the cabin is full. It's worth remembering though that the Copen isn't designed to be a load carrier, it's designed for two people buzzing round town to look chic and super cool, which it achieves by the bucket load.
Value
for money would be an understatement. The little 1.3L engine does
about 50mpg, and it costs just £120 to tax. So how much does it cost
to buy? Well even fully loaded with every optional extra, it's still
under £14,000, so it really is a bargain!
I love it and if you don't understand why - go test drive one and you will.