Daihatsu Charade

Which Daihatsu Charade Version Should You Buy?

The Daihatsu Charade catalogue covers five generations from October 1977 through April 2000, but the best version depends on whether you prioritize performance, low kerb weight, AWD, an Automatic gearbox, or the greater ground clearance of the early Mini 5-doors models.

The Daihatsu Charade catalogue covers five generations from October 1977 through April 2000, but the best version depends on whether you prioritize performance, low kerb weight, AWD, an Automatic gearbox, or the greater ground clearance of the early Mini 5-doors models. The strongest documented choice is the fourth-generation 1.6 MT: its 1590 cc Gasoline engine produces 105 hp and 134 Nm, giving 66.0 hp per litre, while its 875 kg kerb weight works out to 8.3 kg per hp. It also has the quickest measured 0–100 km/h time, 9.6 seconds, and the highest measured top speed, 185 km/h. Buyers who specifically need AWD can choose a fourth-generation 1.5 AT with 90 hp, while those seeking a lighter and simpler earlier Charade can consider the third-generation 1.0 MT or 1.3 MT.

Daihatsu Charade generations: what changed?

The first-generation Charade ran from October 1977 to February 1983 as a Mini 5-doors model with four versions. Every listed version is a front-wheel-drive 1.0 MT or 1.0 AT, using a 993 cc Inline 3-cylinder Gasoline engine. Outputs are 50 hp and 75 Nm or 51 hp with torque not measured. The manual has 5 gears, the Automatic has 2, and ground clearance is 170 mm. Kerb weight, gross weight, tank capacity, wheel sizes, acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption are not measured.

The second generation ran from March 1983 through December 1986, retained the Mini 5-doors body and offered eight versions. Its 993 cc Inline 3-cylinder selection includes a naturally aspirated Diesel 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT with 37 hp and 61 Nm, Turbo Diesel versions with 46 hp and torque not measured, naturally aspirated Gasoline versions with 51 hp, and Turbo Gasoline versions with 68 hp. The manual models have 5 gears and the Automatic models have 2; all are FWD and retain 170 mm of clearance. Compared with the 37 hp Diesel, the 46 hp Turbo Diesel adds 9 hp, while the 68 hp Turbo Gasoline engine adds 17 hp over the 51 hp naturally aspirated Gasoline unit.

The third generation covers January 1987 through December 1992 and changes to a Sedan body, with 26 versions in the catalogue. The displayed selection spans 993 cc Inline 3-cylinder engines and a 1295 cc Inline 4-cylinder engine. Outputs range from 37 hp in the Diesel 1.0 MT to 90 hp in the Gasoline 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT. Manual gearboxes have either 4 or 5 gears, while the Automatic has 3; FWD is standard in the listed selection, although a 90 hp 1.3 MT is also offered with AWD. Clearance is 160 mm, which is 10 mm less than in the first and second generations. Unlike those earlier models, both front and rear suspension are Independent, spring.

The fourth generation ran from January 1993 through October 1995 as a Sedan with 38 versions. The displayed engines extend from a 1296 cc, 84 hp 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT to the 1590 cc, 105 hp 1.6 MT. The generation also includes several distinct 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT specifications: 75, 90, or 97 hp, with FWD or AWD depending on the version. Manual cars use 5 gears and Automatic cars use 4. Ground clearance ranges from 150 to 160 mm, while the tank holds 50 litres.

The fourth-generation restyling ran from November 1995 through April 2000, remained a Sedan and contains 50 versions. It should be treated as the updated phase of the fourth generation, not as another generation. The displayed range comprises 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, and 1.6 MT versions. Power ranges from 75 to 105 hp, FWD and AWD are both represented, and kerb weights range from 875 to 990 kg where measured. The principal catalogue change affecting range is the tank: it holds 40 litres, 10 litres less than in the pre-restyling fourth generation.

Daihatsu Charade engine specs

Repeated version names are separated below by power, displacement, gearbox, and drive because those details identify materially different specifications.

The highest specific output belongs to the 68 hp, 993 cc Turbo Gasoline 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT, at approximately 68.5 hp per litre. The 90 hp, 1295 cc 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT produce approximately 69.5 hp per litre, slightly more. Among the fourth-generation choices, the 105 hp, 1590 cc 1.6 MT produces 66.0 hp per litre, while the 100 hp, 1498 cc versions produce 66.8 hp per litre.

Performance, fuel economy and fuel consumption

Measured performance is concentrated in selected fourth-generation versions. The 1.6 MT reaches 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and has a 185 km/h top speed. Its recorded consumption is 8 l/100 km in the city, 5.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 7.2 l/100 km combined.

The 90 hp AWD 1.5 AT reaches 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds and has a top speed of 170 km/h. Its consumption is 8.1 l/100 km in the city, 5.4 l/100 km on the highway, and 7 l/100 km combined. It therefore uses 0.2 l/100 km less than the 1.6 MT on the combined cycle and 0.4 l/100 km less on the highway, but 0.1 l/100 km more in the city. The 1.6 MT is 1.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 15 km/h faster at the top end.

The 75 hp 1.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 12.8 seconds and tops out at 152 km/h. It is 3.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h and 33 km/h slower than the 1.6 MT. Fuel-consumption figures for this version are not measured. Acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption for every other listed Charade version are not measured.

Daihatsu Charade dimensions, weight and tank capacity

Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Ground clearance is measured: the first- and second-generation Mini 5-doors versions have 170 mm, the third-generation Sedan has 160 mm, and fourth-generation Sedans range from 150 to 160 mm.

Useful kerb-weight comparisons are available for selected versions. The third-generation 54 hp 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT weigh 700 kg, or 13.0 kg per hp. The third-generation 48 hp Turbo Diesel 1.0 MT weighs 750 kg, or 15.6 kg per hp. The 68 hp Turbo Gasoline 1.0 MT weighs 760 kg, or 11.2 kg per hp. The 90 hp 1.3 MT weighs 770 kg, producing the strongest measured third-generation ratio at about 8.6 kg per hp.

In the pre-restyling fourth generation, the 97 hp FWD 1.5 MT weighs 850 kg, or 8.8 kg per hp; the 97 hp FWD 1.5 AT weighs 880 kg, or 9.1 kg per hp. The corresponding AWD versions weigh 940 and 970 kg. AWD therefore adds 90 kg to the manual and 90 kg to the Automatic when comparing these matching 97 hp specifications.

The fourth-generation 1.6 MT weighs 875 kg, or approximately 8.3 kg per hp. The restyled 1.6 MT has the same 875 kg measured kerb weight. Among restyled 100 hp models, the FWD 1.5 MT weighs 880 kg, the FWD 1.5 AT 920 kg, the AWD 1.5 MT 960 kg, and the AWD 1.5 AT 990 kg. Moving from FWD to AWD adds 80 kg to the 100 hp manual and 70 kg to the 100 hp Automatic.

Gross weight is 1350 kg for the documented 90 hp AWD 1.5 AT and the 1.6 MT, while the documented 75 hp 1.5 MT has a gross weight of 1410 kg. Other gross-weight figures are either shown only for selected specifications or not measured. The third generation has a 37-litre tank, the pre-restyling fourth generation has a 50-litre tank, and the restyled fourth generation has a 40-litre tank. Tank capacity for the first and second generations is not measured.

Which Daihatsu Charade version should you choose?

For measured performance, choose the fourth-generation or restyled fourth-generation 1.6 MT. Its 105 hp and 134 Nm are the highest values in the supplied catalogue, and its 9.6-second acceleration and 185 km/h top speed lead the versions with measured performance. Its 875 kg kerb weight also gives it the best documented weight-to-power ratio among the listed versions.

For AWD with an Automatic gearbox and complete performance data, choose the 90 hp 1.5 AT. It provides AWD, a 4-speed Automatic, 10.8-second acceleration, a 170 km/h top speed and 7 l/100 km combined consumption. The 100 hp restyled AWD 1.5 AT adds 10 hp and 8 Nm, but its acceleration, top speed and consumption are not measured, so the data cannot establish whether those increases translate into better real-world performance.

For the lightest documented choice, consider the third-generation 54 hp 1.0 MT or 1.0 AT, both at 700 kg. The manual supplies 4 gears while the Automatic has 3. If power matters more than minimum mass, the third-generation 90 hp 1.3 MT weighs 770 kg and cuts the weight-per-horsepower figure from 13.0 to approximately 8.6 kg per hp.

For maximum measured clearance, select a first- or second-generation 1.0 MT or 1.0 AT with 170 mm. Third-generation models have 160 mm, while fourth-generation versions offer 150–160 mm. For the largest documented fuel tank, choose the pre-restyling fourth generation with 50 litres; the restyled version gives up 10 litres, and the third generation holds 37 litres.

The data does not include prices, sale listings, reliability records, problem histories, engine-oil capacity, timing marks, engine-number locations, or swap compatibility. Those factors therefore cannot support a catalogue-based buying recommendation. On the supplied numbers alone, the 1.6 MT is the performance choice, the 90 hp AWD 1.5 AT is the best-documented Automatic AWD choice, and the third-generation 90 hp 1.3 MT offers the most favorable combination of low measured weight and strong output among the earlier Charade versions.