2024 Daihatsu Thor Review For The New Zealand Buyer
The Daihatsu Thor is a compact MPV designed to pack maximum practicality into a small footprint. Its tall body, sliding doors, and clever interior layout make it ideal for families, city drivers, and anyone who needs flexibility without moving up to a larger van. With efficient engines, excellent maneuverability, and smart use of space, the Thor proves that small cars can deliver big convenience. This guide will help you choose the Thor model that best fits your daily needs.
The Daihatsu Thor is a compact MPV designed to deliver maximum practicality in a city-friendly package. Sharing its platform with the Toyota Roomy and Toyota Tank, the Thor offers the same clever space efficiency, sliding doors, and tall-roof design that make these micro-MPVs so popular in Japan. Its upright, boxy proportions maximize passenger headroom and cargo usability, while its compact footprint makes it easy to maneuver in tight urban environments. With competitive pricing and low running costs, the Thor appeals to young families, retirees, and urban professionals who value convenience, comfort, and affordability. Key rivals include the Suzuki Solio, Honda Freed+, and Nissan Note-based MPVs.
For buyers interested in the Thor, we’ve prepared a separate Buyer’s Guide covering what to look out for when purchasing a used example and the most common issues to avoid. Click here to purchase the Buyer’s Guide.
Engine Options
The 2024 Daihatsu Thor is offered with the same two engine choices as its Toyota-badged sibling:
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1.0L Naturally Aspirated 3-cylinder Petrol (69 HP)
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1.0L Turbocharged 3-cylinder Petrol (98 HP)
Transmission Options
All variants are paired with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), tuned for smooth city driving and fuel efficiency.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Grades
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Daihatsu Thor X
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Daihatsu Thor G
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Daihatsu Thor Custom G
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Daihatsu Thor Custom G-T
For an in-depth review of each grade and advice on which trim is the best value, refer to the 2024 Daihatsu Thor Buyer’s Guide.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Interior
The interior of the 2024 Thor emphasizes versatility, comfort, and everyday usability. Thanks to its tall roofline and flat floor design, passengers enjoy an airy cabin with exceptional headroom and easy ingress and egress. The dashboard is logically arranged, with large, clear dials and user-friendly controls. Front seats provide supportive cushioning and an upright driving position that enhances visibility, while the rear seats offer generous space and a flexible layout to accommodate both passengers and cargo.
Convenience is a major strength of the Thor. Standard equipment includes keyless entry and push-button start, while power sliding doors on higher trims make passenger loading effortless in tight car parks. The cabin is filled with clever storage solutions: a glovebox, center tray, door pockets, cup holders, and seatback pockets, all designed with daily family use in mind.
On the technology front, the Thor keeps up with modern expectations by offering a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. USB ports, Bluetooth, and auxiliary inputs ensure multiple device integration, while the large glass area and slim pillars contribute to a bright, open-feeling interior. Climate control is available in higher trims, ensuring consistent comfort for passengers across all rows.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Exterior

The 2024 Daihatsu Thor presents a practical and upright exterior design, emphasizing function while retaining a touch of modern styling. The front fascia features a bold grille flanked by integrated headlamps, with the signature Daihatsu badge prominently displayed at the center. Depending on the grade, the bumper incorporates fog lights and chrome trim accents, adding both visibility and a premium appearance. Clean, straight body lines highlight the Thor’s friendly, approachable design that aligns with its role as a compact urban MPV.
From the side, the Thor’s tall roofline and boxy profile maximize interior roominess, while wide-opening sliding doors on both sides allow effortless entry and exit, even in tight parking spaces. Body-colored or chrome-accented window surrounds give higher grades a more refined look. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals enhance safety and visibility in traffic.
At the rear, vertical taillights extend along the edges of the tailgate, giving the Thor a distinctive lighting signature. The large hatch opens upward to provide excellent access to the cargo area, while a subtle rear spoiler adds a sporty touch and may aid aerodynamic efficiency. The rear bumper maintains a functional, straightforward design with integrated reflectors for added visibility.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Cargo Capacity
The Thor offers flexible cargo arrangements thanks to its versatile seating configuration. Rear seats can fold or slide to create additional storage capacity, making it easy to switch between carrying passengers and loading bulky items—all within the Thor’s compact footprint.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Fuel Consumption
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1.0L Naturally Aspirated: 24.6 km/L (2WD), 22.0 km/L (4WD)
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1.0L Turbocharged: 21.8 km/L
2024 Daihatsu Thor Fuel Tank Capacity
The Thor is fitted with a 36-liter fuel tank, sufficient for extended city driving before requiring refueling.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Ground Clearance
Ground clearance stands at approximately 140 mm (5.5 inches)
2024 Daihatsu Thor Performance
The Thor is powered by a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine available in two variants:
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Naturally Aspirated: 69 hp and 94 Nm of torque, delivering smooth acceleration ideal for everyday commuting and city use.
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Turbocharged: 98 hp with improved torque for better highway performance and confident overtaking, while maintaining strong fuel efficiency.
The lightweight DNGA platform makes the Thor agile and easy to maneuver in crowded urban areas. Steering is light and responsive, simplifying tight turns and parking. Suspension is tuned to absorb common urban bumps and imperfections, though some body movement is noticeable due to the tall stance. Front-wheel drive is standard, while select trims also offer 4WD for drivers in regions with snow or slippery conditions. The CVT transmission ensures seamless power delivery, while braking performance is well-suited for the vehicle’s weight and intended family use.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Safety Features
The Thor is equipped with multiple airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, and Daihatsu’s Smart Assist safety suite, which includes pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control (on higher trims). These features make the Thor a reassuring choice for family buyers.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Reliability
As a product of Daihatsu (under the Toyota Group), the Thor benefits from proven reliability and cost-effective engineering. The simple and efficient 1.0L engines, paired with the CVT, are designed for urban longevity with proper maintenance. Many owners report trouble-free use beyond 150,000 km, provided that fluids are changed on schedule.
2024 Daihatsu Thor Maintenance Schedule
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5,000 km: Engine oil and filter replacement
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10,000 km: Comprehensive inspection (air filter, cabin filter, brake system, tire rotation, fluid checks)
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Subsequent maintenance should follow Daihatsu’s manufacturer-recommended service intervals for best long-term performance and durability.
For a complete maintenance plan, refer to the 2024 Daihatsu Thor Owner’s Manual.

2024 Daihatsu Thor Competitors
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Toyota Roomy
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Suzuki Solio
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Honda Freed+
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Nissan Note-based MPVs
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Mitsubishi eK Space
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Daihatsu Tanto
For buyers considering the Thor, we have prepared a separate Buyer’s Guide detailing what to watch for when purchasing a used model and the most common pitfalls to avoid. Click here to purchase the Buyer’s Guide.
