Dacia Solenza: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Dacia Solenza was produced from 2003 to 2005 as a Liftback in a single generation. Buyers have two versions to compare: the Gasoline-powered 1.4 MT and the Diesel-powered 1.9 MT. Both use a 5-speed Manual gearbox, FWD, four Inline cylinders, two valves per cylinder, and no boost.
The Dacia Solenza was produced from 2003 to 2005 as a Liftback in a single generation. Buyers have two versions to compare: the Gasoline-powered 1.4 MT and the Diesel-powered 1.9 MT. Both use a 5-speed Manual gearbox, FWD, four Inline cylinders, two valves per cylinder, and no boost. The 1.4 MT is the quicker and more powerful choice, while the 1.9 MT uses less fuel and produces slightly more torque.
Dacia Solenza generations
The only Dacia Solenza generation ran from 2003 to 2005. It used a Liftback body and included two versions: 1.4 MT and 1.9 MT. Because the catalogue contains one generation, there are no generation-to-generation changes to compare. The buying decision is therefore entirely between the two engine versions offered within the same generation.
Engine specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Valves per cylinder | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT | 75 hp (55 kW) at 5250 rpm | 114 Nm at 2600 rpm | 1390 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4 | Inline | 2 | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.9 MT | 63 hp (46 kW) at 4500 rpm | 120 Nm at 2250 rpm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4 | Inline | 2 | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The 1.4 MT produces 12 hp and 9 kW more than the 1.9 MT, despite having 480 cc less displacement. Its specific output is approximately 54.0 hp per litre, compared with approximately 33.7 hp per litre for the Diesel version.
The 1.9 MT develops 6 Nm more torque, and its maximum torque arrives 350 rpm earlier. Maximum power also occurs 750 rpm earlier than in the 1.4 MT. The Gasoline engine uses Distributed injection (multi-point) and has a 9.2 compression ratio. The Diesel engine’s fuel-system specification is not measured, while its compression ratio is 21.5.
Performance, fuel economy and mpg-related figures
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT | 14 seconds | 165 km/h | 8.3 l/100 km | 5.6 l/100 km | 6.7 l/100 km |
| 1.9 MT | 16.9 seconds | 155 km/h | 7.2 l/100 km | 4.7 l/100 km | 5.6 l/100 km |
For performance, the 1.4 MT has the clear advantage. It reaches 100 km/h 2.9 seconds sooner and has a top speed 10 km/h higher than the 1.9 MT.
For economy, the result reverses. The 1.9 MT consumes 1.1 l/100 km less in the city, 0.9 l/100 km less on the highway, and 1.1 l/100 km less on the combined cycle. Choose the Diesel if lower consumption matters more than acceleration; choose the Gasoline version if stronger performance is the priority.
CO₂ output is not measured for either version. The ecological class is also not measured for either version.
Dimensions, weight and ground clearance
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT | 960 kg | 1395 kg | 120 mm | 44 litres | not measured |
| 1.9 MT | 1010 kg | 1460 kg | 120 mm | 44 litres | not measured |
The 1.4 MT is 50 kg lighter at kerb weight and 65 kg lighter at gross weight. Its weight-to-power figure is 12.8 kg per hp, whereas the 1.9 MT carries about 16.0 kg per hp. That difference supports the Gasoline version’s quicker acceleration.
Both versions have 120 mm of ground clearance and a 44-litre fuel tank, so neither gains an advantage in those specifications. Wheel sizes are not measured for either version.
Suspension and brake specifications are also identical in the supplied data. Both versions have Independent, spring front suspension, Semi-independent, torsion rear suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes.
Which Dacia Solenza version should you buy?
The 1.4 MT is the better choice for performance. Its 75 hp output exceeds the 1.9 MT by 12 hp, its 0–100 km/h time is 2.9 seconds quicker, and its 165 km/h top speed is 10 km/h higher. It is also 50 kg lighter and has the stronger power-to-weight result. These figures make it the more convincing option when acceleration and available power matter most.
The 1.9 MT is the better choice for fuel economy. It returns lower consumption in every measured cycle: 7.2 l/100 km in the city, 4.7 l/100 km on the highway, and 5.6 l/100 km combined. It also delivers 120 Nm, which is 6 Nm more than the Gasoline version, and reaches that peak at 2250 rpm rather than 2600 rpm.
There is no price information in the supplied data, so it is not possible to calculate what any extra purchase cost would buy or how long the Diesel’s lower consumption would take to recover it. Reliability and problem data are also not measured, so neither version can be ranked on repair frequency or durability from this catalogue entry.
On the available evidence, buy the 1.4 MT for quicker performance, lower weight, and more power per litre. Buy the 1.9 MT for lower fuel consumption and slightly greater torque. Since both belong to the same 2003–2005 generation and share the Liftback body, 5-speed Manual gearbox, FWD system, ground clearance, tank capacity, suspension, and brake layout, the engine’s performance-versus-economy balance is the decisive difference.