2005 Daihatsu Move Latte review from Japan

Transmission making expensive noises at full revs in the indirects.

This is a "light engine", front-wheel drive, 650cc car that is unlikely to be sold outside Japan. So grey import is the only way to experience one, short of a visit and hitting the Japanese car auctions.

At least as big as an Impreza inside except for the one-suitcase boot, but that’s where the resemblance ends. It's one of those boxy cars that suit the special motoring conditions in urban Japan.

Had the opportunity to drive this little number all over Okinawa where half the cars are light engine, and its major redeeming feature is very good fuel economy. So tuck in your ego for a minute guys, because with petrol prices going through the roof, it could be either this or the bus. You can literally drive for 10 hours and it costs you less than £15.00 to refill the tank.

The street cred of a Safeway shopping trolley is not such a disadvantage as the majority of drivers are Japanese housewives who buy this type of car to transport their kids while they do the shopping.

It has minimal instrumentation, a column auto-transmission shift, and a foot-operated handbrake (so no chance of handbrake turns).

Underpowered by Western standards, no question, but in low-speed limit, congested Japan, not such a drawback. Having said that, it’s good for 120km/h on the highway, although a lack of stability was an issue.

It has a short nose for good visibility and a tight turning circle. Lots of space inside for four adults, but struggles on hills even two up. Also, tends to roll back in D4 when stopped on a slope.

Brakes kinda grab, and are suspect for a long descent. Possible to accidentally leave parked with the lights on. Daihatsu missed a trick there, because the one thing guaranteed to disenchant Madame is a car with a flat battery. Has all the bells and whistles though; airbags, ABS, adjustable steering wheel rake, deploying/adjusting mirrors, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive option, air conditioning, power brakes, and power steering. No wonder there's not much power left to drive the car.

However, must mention the built-in "SatNavi". You enter your destination phone number and/or address, and the navigation takes you straight there. Sadly, stalker considerations mean this feature will never be introduced in CellBlock GB. Also, it will display TV channels, play CDs and DVDs, dub from TV onto a re-writable disc, take an updated map disc, and oh yes, receive radio stations. Unfortunately, no cassette slot. Obviously that's considered really last season.