Daewoo Gentra: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Daewoo Gentra choice depends first on body style. The first generation, produced from September 2005 to February 2011, is a Mini 5-doors with 14 listed modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. The second generation, produced from July 2013 to February 2016, is a Sedan with two modifications.
The Daewoo Gentra choice depends first on body style. The first generation, produced from September 2005 to February 2011, is a Mini 5-doors with 14 listed modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. The second generation, produced from July 2013 to February 2016, is a Sedan with two modifications. Every listed Gentra is FWD, Gasoline, naturally aspirated, and equipped with an Inline 4-cylinder engine. For the strongest power-to-weight ratio among versions with measured kerb weight, choose the first-generation 1.6 MT: its 109 hp and 1,025 kg equal about 9.4 kg per horsepower. For a Sedan, the decision is between the lighter and faster 1.5 MT and the heavier 1.5 AT.
Daewoo Gentra generations compared
The first-generation Daewoo Gentra ran from September 2005 through February 2011 as a Mini 5-doors. Its specification set contains 14 modifications, with 12 detailed here. The range spans engine displacements from 1,150 to 1,598 cc, outputs from 72 to 109 hp, and Manual or Automatic transmissions. All versions use FWD, independent spring suspension at both ends, ventilated front discs, rear Drum brakes, a 45-litre tank, and 160 mm of ground clearance.
The second-generation Daewoo Gentra ran from July 2013 through February 2016 as a Sedan. Its two versions share a 1,485 cc engine producing 107 hp and 141 Nm. Both have FWD, independent spring suspension front and rear, ventilated front discs, rear Disc brakes, a 60-litre tank, 160 mm of ground clearance, and Euro 5 classification. The choice is a 5-speed Manual or a 6-speed Automatic.
The generational change therefore brought a different body type, a tank enlarged by 15 litres, and rear Disc brakes instead of Drum brakes. Ground clearance remained 160 mm. Among versions with stated gross weight, the figure rose from 1,350 kg in the first generation to 1,660 kg in the second, a difference of 310 kg.
Daewoo Gentra engine and transmission specs
Repeated version names are separated by output because the database contains several distinct 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT, and 1.5 AT specifications.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.2 MT (72 hp) | 72 hp | 104 Nm | 1,150 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.2 AT (72 hp) | 72 hp | 104 Nm | 1,150 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 110 Nm) | 85 hp | 110 Nm | 1,206 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.2 AT (85 hp, 110 Nm) | 85 hp | 110 Nm | 1,206 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 114 Nm) | 85 hp | 114 Nm | 1,206 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.2 AT (85 hp, 114 Nm) | 85 hp | 114 Nm | 1,206 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 MT (86 hp) | 86 hp | 130 Nm | 1,498 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 AT (86 hp) | 86 hp | 130 Nm | 1,498 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 MT (106 hp) | 106 hp | 137 Nm | 1,498 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 AT (106 hp) | 106 hp | 137 Nm | 1,498 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 MT | 109 hp | 150 Nm | 1,598 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 AT | 109 hp | 150 Nm | 1,598 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.5 MT | 107 hp | 141 Nm | 1,485 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.5 AT | 107 hp | 141 Nm | 1,485 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
Power per litre helps distinguish engines carrying the same rounded capacity label. The first-generation 1.5 MT (86 hp) and 1.5 AT (86 hp) deliver about 57.4 hp per litre, while the first-generation 1.5 MT (106 hp) and 1.5 AT (106 hp) reach about 70.8 hp per litre. The second-generation 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT produce about 72.1 hp per litre. The first-generation 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT produce about 68.2 hp per litre.
The first-generation 1.2 engine also appears in distinct forms. The 1,150 cc unit makes 72 hp, or about 62.6 hp per litre. Both 1,206 cc units make 85 hp, or about 70.5 hp per litre, but one provides 110 Nm and the other 114 Nm. The 114 Nm specification has 4 Nm more torque.
Daewoo Gentra performance and mpg
| Generation and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.2 MT (72 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.2 AT (72 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 110 Nm) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.2 AT (85 hp, 110 Nm) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 114 Nm) | 11 s | 188 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.2 AT (85 hp, 114 Nm) | 13.7 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 MT (86 hp) | 11 s | 188 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 AT (86 hp) | 13.7 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 MT (106 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 AT (106 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.6 MT | 11 s | 188 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.6 AT | 10.4 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 MT | 11.9 s | 180 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 AT | 11.9 s | 164 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The measured first-generation comparisons do not produce one simple rule about transmission choice. For the 85 hp, 114 Nm 1.2 pair, the 1.2 MT reaches 100 km/h in 11 seconds, while the 1.2 AT needs 13.7 seconds; the Manual is 2.7 seconds quicker. The same 2.7-second difference separates the 86 hp 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT. By contrast, the 1.6 AT records 10.4 seconds against 11 seconds for the 1.6 MT, making the Automatic 0.6 seconds quicker in the supplied figures.
For the second-generation Sedan, both 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT reach 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds. Their top speeds differ: the Manual reaches 180 km/h and the Automatic 164 km/h, giving the 1.5 MT a 16 km/h advantage. Fuel-consumption figures are not measured for any listed version, so no evidence-based mpg ranking is possible.
Daewoo Gentra dimensions, weight, tank and wheels
The supplied data gives weight and chassis-related measurements rather than exterior length, width, or height. First-generation exterior dimensions are not measured, and second-generation exterior dimensions are not measured. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version.
All listed versions have 160 mm of ground clearance. Every first-generation version has a 45-litre fuel tank, while both second-generation versions have a 60-litre tank.
Kerb weight is measured at 1,025 kg for the first-generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 114 Nm), 1.5 MT (86 hp), and 1.6 MT. Each has a gross weight of 1,350 kg. Kerb weight is not measured for the other first-generation versions. Gross weight is 1,350 kg for the corresponding 1.2 AT (85 hp, 114 Nm), 1.5 AT (86 hp), and 1.6 AT, but it is not measured for the earlier 72 hp, 85 hp/110 Nm, or 106 hp specifications.
The second-generation 1.5 MT weighs 1,245 kg kerb, while the 1.5 AT weighs 1,300 kg. The Automatic is therefore 55 kg heavier. Both have a gross weight of 1,660 kg. Their weight-to-power figures are about 11.6 kg per horsepower for the 1.5 MT and 12.1 kg per horsepower for the 1.5 AT.
Among first-generation cars with measured kerb weight, the 1.2 MT (85 hp, 114 Nm) carries about 12.1 kg per horsepower, the 1.5 MT (86 hp) about 11.9 kg per horsepower, and the 1.6 MT about 9.4 kg per horsepower. This gives the 1.6 MT the strongest measured power-to-weight ratio in the catalogue data.
Which Daewoo Gentra version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 1.6 MT if power-to-weight ratio is the priority. It combines 109 hp, 150 Nm, and a measured 1,025 kg kerb weight. It also has the highest torque in the listed range, exceeding the second-generation 1.5 versions by 9 Nm and the first-generation 86 hp 1.5 versions by 20 Nm.
Choose the first-generation 1.6 AT if the quickest measured 0–100 km/h figure matters more than a known top speed. Its recorded time is 10.4 seconds, but its top speed and kerb weight are not measured. Buyers should not infer either missing figure from the 1.6 MT.
Choose the first-generation 1.2 MT (85 hp, 114 Nm) over its matching 1.2 AT when measured acceleration is the deciding factor. Both have the same engine output, but the Manual records 11 seconds instead of 13.7 seconds. The same logic applies to the first-generation 1.5 MT (86 hp), which is 2.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the matching 1.5 AT.
Choose the second-generation 1.5 MT for the strongest Sedan specification in the supplied data. It matches the 1.5 AT at 107 hp, 141 Nm, and 11.9 seconds to 100 km/h, yet it weighs 55 kg less and reaches a top speed 16 km/h higher. It uses a 5-speed Manual, whereas the 1.5 AT uses a 6-speed Automatic.
Choose the second-generation 1.5 AT when the required combination is Sedan bodywork and Automatic transmission. Compared with the first-generation Automatics, it adds two ratios over their 4-speed gearboxes, uses the 60-litre rather than the 45-litre tank, and has rear Disc rather than Drum brakes. Those are specification differences only: purchase price, reliability, problems, maintenance costs, and spare-parts availability are not measured in the supplied data.
For shoppers comparing a Daewoo Gentra with another model, including a Chevrolet Lacetti, this dataset supports conclusions about the Gentra alone. It does not contain equivalent figures for another car, so a direct cross-model verdict would not be evidence-based. Within the Gentra range, the clearest numerical choices are the first-generation 1.6 MT for power relative to measured weight and the second-generation 1.5 MT for the more favourable Sedan performance-and-weight combination.