
Daihatsu Cuore
Daihatsu Cuore – A Reliable and Compact City Car
The Daihatsu Cuore is a small hatchback that gained popularity in Pakistan for being compact, fuel-efficient, and low-maintenance. Manufactured by Daihatsu, a Japanese brand owned by Toyota, the Cuore was locally assembled in Pakistan by Indus Motors until it was discontinued in 2012.
Despite being out of production, it is still a widely used and trusted car in the Pakistani used car market.
Exterior Design
The Daihatsu Cuore has a simple and clean design with a boxy shape that maximizes space. Its compact size makes it perfect for tight city streets and easy parking. It features small halogen headlights, a basic front grille, and modest bumpers. Later models included slightly updated lights and trims, but the overall shape remained the same throughout its production.
Interior and Comfort
The interior of the Cuore is practical and surprisingly spacious for a small car. It can comfortably seat four adults. The dashboard is straightforward and easy to use, with all the basic controls within reach.
Depending on the variant (CX, CX Eco, or automatic), interior features may include:
- Fabric-covered seats
- Manual or power windows
- Basic audio system
- Air conditioning (available in higher variants)
- Basic instrument cluster
While not luxurious, the Cuore offers good comfort for daily city commutes.
Engine and Performance
The Daihatsu Cuore comes with an 850cc 3-cylinder petrol engine (ED-10 engine). It is paired with a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission (depending on the variant).
The engine is reliable and offers decent performance for city driving. It is not built for high-speed highway driving, but it handles well in urban traffic and has good pick-up for its size.
Fuel Efficiency
The Cuore is known for being fuel-efficient. It offers an average of around 12 to 16 km/l, depending on the variant and driving style. The CX Eco variant was introduced with improved fuel economy, targeting users who wanted better mileage for daily use.
Safety Features
Like many compact cars of its time, the Daihatsu Cuore has very basic safety features, including:
- Seat belts
- Basic braking system (without ABS)
- Side mirrors
- Child locks (in some variants)
It lacks airbags and advanced safety technologies, which were not common in economy cars of its era.
Maintenance and Spare Parts
The Cuore is very affordable to maintain, and spare parts are easily available in most cities of Pakistan. Local mechanics are familiar with the vehicle, and routine maintenance is low-cost. This makes it a great option for budget-conscious car owners.
Conclusion
The Daihatsu Cuore is a practical, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-maintain compact car, ideal for daily city driving. Although it lacks modern features and advanced safety options, it delivers great value for money and remains a strong choice in the used car market.
If you’re looking for a reliable second-hand hatchback for commuting or light family use, the Cuore is still a solid option.