Daihatsu Applause: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Daihatsu Applause choice comes down to drivetrain, transmission, performance, and production period. The original Liftback generation ran from July 1989 to August 1997 with nine versions, while its restyling continued from September 1997 to December 1999 with two versions.
The Daihatsu Applause choice comes down to drivetrain, transmission, performance, and production period. The original Liftback generation ran from July 1989 to August 1997 with nine versions, while its restyling continued from September 1997 to December 1999 with two versions. Every listed Applause has a naturally aspirated Gasoline inline four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and a 50-liter tank. For performance, the clearest choices are the original 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD, which reaches 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and 185 km/h, and the 105 hp 1.6 MT AWD, which takes 10.2 seconds and reaches 180 km/h. Buyers wanting the later restyling can choose a 99 hp 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT, but the manual is substantially quicker.
Daihatsu Applause generations and version choice
The 1989–1997 Daihatsu Applause is a Liftback offered in nine versions. Its range is the more varied of the two periods: output spans 90–120 hp, transmissions include 3-speed Automatic, 4-speed Automatic, and 5-speed Manual units, and both FWD and AWD are available. Engine displacement is either 1589 cm³ or 1590 cm³. Ground clearance is normally 150 mm, although the 120 hp 1.6 MT AWD has 160 mm.
The 1997–1999 restyling remains part of the same generation and retains the Liftback body. It reduces the range to two versions: 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Both use a 1590 cm³ Gasoline engine producing 99 hp and 138 Nm, both are FWD, and both have 140 mm of ground clearance. The main buying decision is therefore between the 5-speed Manual and 4-speed Automatic.
Daihatsu Applause 1.6 engine and specs
Because identical version names occur with different outputs and specifications, power and drivetrain identify each one precisely.
| Production period and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 130 Nm | 1589 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 130 Nm | 1589 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 120 hp | 120 hp | 140 Nm | 1589 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, FWD | 120 hp | 140 Nm | 1589 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, AWD | 120 hp | 140 Nm | 1589 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 134 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, AWD | 105 hp | 134 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 123 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, FWD | 105 hp | 134 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–1999 1.6 MT, 99 hp | 99 hp | 138 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1997–1999 1.6 AT, 99 hp | 99 hp | 138 Nm | 1590 cm³ | Gasoline, 80 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
The 120 hp engine has the highest specific output at approximately 75.5 hp per liter. The 105 hp specification produces approximately 66.0 hp per liter, the restyled 99 hp engine approximately 62.3 hp per liter, the 97 hp engine approximately 61.0 hp per liter, and the 90 hp engine approximately 56.6 hp per liter.
Fuel delivery also separates the early choices. The 97 hp versions use a Carburetor, while the 120 hp versions use Distributed injection (multi-point). The listed 90 hp, 105 hp, and restyled 99 hp versions also use Distributed injection (multi-point).
Daihatsu Applause performance and economy
| Production period and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Fuel consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 97 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 97 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 120 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, FWD | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, AWD | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 105 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, AWD | 10.2 seconds | 180 km/h | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 90 hp | 10.5 seconds | 175 km/h | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, FWD | 9.8 seconds | 185 km/h | not measured |
| 1997–1999 1.6 MT, 99 hp | 10.6 seconds | 180 km/h | not measured |
| 1997–1999 1.6 AT, 99 hp | 13.9 seconds | 175 km/h | not measured |
Among versions with measured performance, the 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD is quickest: it is 0.4 seconds faster to 100 km/h than the 105 hp 1.6 MT AWD, 0.7 seconds faster than the 90 hp 1.6 MT, and 0.8 seconds faster than the restyled 99 hp 1.6 MT. Its 185 km/h maximum is also 5 km/h above the AWD 105 hp and restyled manual versions.
Within the restyled pair, the 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have identical 99 hp and 138 Nm outputs, yet the manual reaches 100 km/h 3.3 seconds sooner and has a 5 km/h higher top speed. The performance figures therefore favor the manual decisively.
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any listed version. Consequently, an mpg comparison cannot be made from the available data. CO₂ output and emissions class were also not measured.
Daihatsu Applause dimensions, weight, and clearance
Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes were not measured for any version. The available comparison covers kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and tank capacity.
| Production period and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 97 hp | 960 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 97 hp | 920 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 120 hp | 1010 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, FWD | 970 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 120 hp, AWD | 1010 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 AT, 105 hp | not measured | 1420 kg | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, AWD | 1040 kg | 1505 kg | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 90 hp | 930 kg | 1420 kg | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1989–1997 1.6 MT, 105 hp, FWD | 930 kg | 1420 kg | 150 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1997–1999 1.6 MT, 99 hp | 1050 kg | 1470 kg | 140 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1997–1999 1.6 AT, 99 hp | not measured | 1470 kg | 140 mm | 50 L | not measured |
The 120 hp 1.6 MT FWD has the strongest calculated power-to-weight result among versions with measured kerb weight, carrying approximately 8.1 kg per hp. Its 120 hp Automatic counterpart carries approximately 8.4 kg per hp, while the 120 hp AWD manual also carries approximately 8.4 kg per hp. The 105 hp FWD manual follows at approximately 8.9 kg per hp.
AWD adds weight in both directly comparable cases. The 120 hp 1.6 MT AWD weighs 40 kg more than the 120 hp 1.6 MT FWD, although it also gains 10 mm of ground clearance. The 105 hp 1.6 MT AWD weighs 110 kg more than the 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD, with the same 150 mm clearance.
The restyled 99 hp 1.6 MT weighs 1050 kg, which is 120 kg more than the original 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD. It also has 10 mm less ground clearance. Its calculated weight-to-power ratio is approximately 10.6 kg per hp, compared with approximately 8.9 kg per hp for the original 105 hp FWD manual.
Daihatsu Applause problems, reliability, and manual information
No reliability ratings, recurring problems, maintenance intervals, engine-swap compatibility, engine-bay measurements, or workshop and service-manual details were measured in the supplied data. Those questions cannot be answered responsibly from these specifications alone.
The catalogue does show which hardware a prospective car should match. Every listed version has Independent, spring front and rear suspension and Ventilated disc front brakes. Rear brakes vary: some versions have Drum brakes, while others have Disc brakes. Transmission type, number of gears, drive system, output, and rear-brake specification should therefore be checked against the exact version rather than inferred from the shared 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT name.
Which Daihatsu Applause version should you buy?
For the best measured acceleration and top speed, choose the original 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD. Its 9.8-second sprint to 100 km/h and 185 km/h top speed are the strongest measured results, and its 930 kg kerb weight gives it approximately 8.9 kg per hp.
For the best calculated power-to-weight ratio, choose the original 120 hp 1.6 MT FWD. It combines 120 hp with 970 kg, or approximately 8.1 kg per hp. However, its acceleration and maximum speed were not measured, so its calculated advantage should not be presented as a measured performance result.
For AWD with the most power and clearance, choose the 120 hp 1.6 MT AWD. It has 120 hp, 140 Nm, AWD, and 160 mm of clearance—the highest clearance in the data. Against the 120 hp FWD manual, the AWD version adds 40 kg and 10 mm of clearance.
For AWD with measured road performance, choose the 105 hp 1.6 MT AWD. It reaches 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and 180 km/h, although it weighs 110 kg more than the equivalent 105 hp FWD manual and is 0.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h.
For a restyled car, choose the 99 hp 1.6 MT unless Automatic is essential. Both restyled versions deliver 99 hp and 138 Nm, but the manual is 3.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and reaches a top speed 5 km/h higher. The restyling brings neither more power nor more ground clearance than the strongest original-generation choices: compared with the original 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD, the restyled manual has 6 hp less, weighs 120 kg more, and has 10 mm less clearance.
No sale prices or listings are included, so there is no factual basis for saying which version offers the lowest purchase price or whether a particular Daihatsu Applause for sale represents good value. On specifications alone, the 105 hp 1.6 MT FWD is the strongest measured-performance choice, the 120 hp 1.6 MT FWD is the leading calculated power-to-weight choice, and the 120 hp 1.6 MT AWD is the choice for maximum listed power combined with AWD and the greatest ground clearance.