- Fuel-efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine
- Spacious interior
- Inconsistently weighted steering
- Engine noise at higher rpm
- Lack of front-end grip
Review: Daihatsu L251 Charade (2003-05)
Overview
Released in July 2003, the Daihatsu L251 Charade was a light, three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Osaka, Japan, the front-wheel drive L251 Charade was powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The 1.0-litre EJ-DE engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.
Sold in overseas markets as the Mira and Cuore, the Daihatsu L251 Charade was 3410 mm long, 1475 mm wide, 1500 mm tall and had a 2390 mm long wheelbase; kerb weight was 720 kg for manual models and 725 kg for automatic models. Furthermore, the Charade had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle (both with coil springs).
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charade | 1.0-litre petrol I3 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
40.5 kW at 5200 rpm | 88.5 Nm at 3600 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Daihatsu Charade included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features
Standard features for the Daihatsu Charade included 13-inch steel wheels with 155/65 R13 tyres, a two speaker sound system with a CD player, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, central locking, power windows, power mirrors and an immobiliser.
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