Daihatsu’s street-smart Materia is certainly standing the test of time – two years on from its initial launch, it is still turning heads, writes Ian Vaughan.

But that isn’t purely down to funky, cutting-edge looks – this terrific mini-MPV is still something of a rarity on Britain’s streets.

You’re more likely to spot the firm’s Sirion supermini – a sterling all-rounder in its class – than the five-door Materia hatchback, even though the latter’s body styling is still far superior to anything else in the compact people-mover bracket.

A first trial of the Materia in 2007 – the five-speed manual version – saw the car cause quite a clamour. People wanted to do more than admire it – it is temptingly tactile: so touching, and even hugging, was more the norm back then.

Cute

Cut to late 2009, and its cuteness it still attracting car-cuddlers. If you could translate that appeal into sales, the Materia would outshine even the scrappage-scheme supremo, the Hyundai i10.

Daihatsu was knocking £1,000 off the £10,770 asking price early this summer, too, to give the Materia a helping hand through the showrooms – why, then, haven’t sales gone stellar?

Drive one – this time it was the £780-dearer four-speed automatic – and you’ll get the drift here.

While the ride and handling present very few faults, the 1.5-litre petrol engine falls a fair way short of what today’s motorist expects.

It isn’t smooth, noise can be a problem and the automatic’s overall 37.7mpg isn’t doing the Materia any favours.

With 176g/km C02 emissions, it can’t claim eco-credentials, either.

Reliability

On the good side, the double overhead cams’ chains are maintenance free, and engine reliability is excellent – with the firm backing that with a five-year, unlimited miles warranty.

What you can say truthfully is that the Materia and all that comes with it – chunky, nose-down profile, blunt front end – does sit more happily with the custom-car genre, where uniqueness plus chopped-and-dropped chassis and ultra-loud under-bonnet metal reign.

Daihatsu does need to offer a diesel with it, at the very least, or turn the 1,495cc, 102bhp unleaded-user from mean to green, and smooth over its rough edges.

Or even stick the Sirion’s 1.3 litre petrol unit in it – that would do the job nicely in a car that’s 10cm shorter than a Volkswagen Polo.

Upright

Not that you’d think the car was so small. Its tall profile creates the in-cabin impression of cavernous space, and the fairly upright seating helps make the best of good all-round legroom.

The fixtures and fittings are equally impressive. Subdued blue neons around the speakers, for instance, enhance the customised feel of the interior.

With just one trim offered – and just the one option of metallic paint – the Materia is generously fitted-out, it’s a genuine 10-grand’s worth of wheels.

Rear windows are tinted, it has aircon and everywhere you look there’s storage space.

If Daihatsu can be persuaded to extend the engine choices, then the Materia is surely destined for greater success.

By Phil Vaughan

BUMPER TO BUMPER

Car: Daihatsu Materia 1.5 auto 5-dr £11,550. Manual version £10,770.

Bodyshell/drivetrain: 3.80m by 1.69m, 5-dr hatchback; 1,495cc, 102bhp four-cylinder engine, driving front wheels through four-speed automatic gearbox.

Company car tax liability: 176g per km C02 emissions (23 per cent of cost of car when new, taxed).

Performance/economy: Top speed 102mph, 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds. Official fuel figures: City 29.7mpg, country 45.6mpg, combined 37.7mpg.

Fuel tank: 40 litres.

Insurance group: 8.

Warranty: Five years/unlimited miles.

Website: www.daihatsu.co.uk