Which Daihatsu Cuore Version Should You Buy?
The version to choose depends mainly on whether performance, fuel economy, automatic convenience, low kerb weight, or AWD matters most.
The version to choose depends mainly on whether performance, fuel economy, automatic convenience, low kerb weight, or AWD matters most. Among the measured variants, the seventh-generation 1.0 MT is the strongest all-round specification: its 996 cc Gasoline engine produces 69 hp and 94 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds, returns combined fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km, and has a kerb weight of 765 kg. The seventh-generation 1.0 AT offers the same output but is slower and less economical. Earlier generations are lighter, while the second generation is the only one listed with AWD versions.
Daihatsu Cuore generations compared
The first generation, produced from 1980 to 1985, is a Mini 5-doors model with two versions. Both are FWD and use a 4-speed Manual gearbox. The 0.5 MT has a 499 cc, 2-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine producing 27 hp, while the 0.6 MT has a 599 cc, 2-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine producing 30 hp. Performance, fuel-consumption, tank, and weight figures were not measured for either version.
The second generation, produced from 1985 to 1990, remains a Mini 5-doors model but expands to six versions. Its 0.8 MT variants use an 844 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine with 39 hp, while the 0.9 MT variants use an 847 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine producing 44 hp and 67 Nm. Every listed version has a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Both FWD and AWD versions of the 0.9 MT are available, making this the generation to consider when AWD is essential.
The third generation covers 1990 to 1995 and has one Mini 5-doors version. Its 0.9 MT combines an 847 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine with 41 hp and 65 Nm, a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and FWD. It reaches 100 km/h in 16.5 seconds and has a top speed of 135 km/h.
The fourth generation, produced from 1995 to 1999, offers four Mini 5-doors versions. Buyers can choose 0.9 MT or 0.9 AT, with outputs of either 42 hp or 44 hp. All use an 847 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine and FWD. The Manual versions have five speeds, while the Automatic versions have four. The 44 hp 0.9 MT reaches 100 km/h in 15.6 seconds, exactly 2 seconds sooner than the 42 hp 0.9 MT.
The fifth generation runs from 1999 to 2003 and includes four Mini 5-doors versions, all named either 1.0 MT or 1.0 AT. Each has a 989 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine producing 56 hp and 88 Nm. The 1.0 MT uses a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 1.0 AT uses a 3-speed Automatic. Because several entries share the same version name, kerb weight and measured fuel consumption help distinguish them.
The sixth generation, produced from 2003 to 2007, has four Mini 5-doors versions. Its 989 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine develops either 58 hp or 59 hp and produces 91 Nm. The 1.0 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox and the 1.0 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. All are FWD.
The seventh generation covers 2007 to 2013 and has two Mini 5-doors versions. Both use a 996 cc, 3-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine producing 69 hp and 94 Nm. The 1.0 MT pairs it with a 5-speed Manual gearbox; the 1.0 AT uses a 4-speed Automatic. Both are FWD.
Daihatsu Cuore engine specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 0.5 MT | 27 hp | not measured | 499 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| First, 0.6 MT | 30 hp | not measured | 599 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 0.8 MT (FWD, dependent rear suspension) | 39 hp | not measured | 844 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 0.9 MT (FWD, dependent rear suspension) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 0.9 MT (AWD, dependent rear suspension) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second, 0.8 MT (FWD, semi-independent rear suspension) | 39 hp | not measured | 844 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 0.9 MT (FWD, semi-independent rear suspension) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second, 0.9 MT (AWD, semi-independent rear suspension) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Third, 0.9 MT | 41 hp | 65 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth, 0.9 MT (42 hp) | 42 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth, 0.9 AT (42 hp) | 42 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth, 0.9 MT (44 hp) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth, 0.9 AT (44 hp) | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 847 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth, 1.0 MT (720 kg) | 56 hp | 88 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fifth, 1.0 AT (725 kg) | 56 hp | 88 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth, 1.0 MT (740 kg) | 56 hp | 88 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fifth, 1.0 AT (705 kg) | 56 hp | 88 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth, 1.0 MT (58 hp) | 58 hp | 91 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth, 1.0 AT (58 hp) | 58 hp | 91 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth, 1.0 MT (59 hp) | 59 hp | 91 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth, 1.0 AT (59 hp) | 59 hp | 91 Nm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Seventh, 1.0 MT | 69 hp | 94 Nm | 996 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Seventh, 1.0 AT | 69 hp | 94 Nm | 996 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Engine output per litre rises substantially across the range. The first-generation 0.5 MT produces about 54.1 hp per litre, while the seventh-generation 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT each produce about 69.3 hp per litre. Between the fifth-generation 1.0 versions and the seventh-generation 1.0 versions, displacement increases by only 7 cc, but output rises by 13 hp and torque by 6 Nm.
Daihatsu Cuore performance and fuel consumption
The seventh-generation 1.0 MT has the best measured acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 11.1 seconds. Its 160 km/h top speed matches the sixth-generation 1.0 MT versions, but it is 1.1 seconds quicker than their measured 12.2-second acceleration. The seventh-generation 1.0 AT takes 14.1 seconds and reaches 150 km/h, making it 3 seconds slower to 100 km/h and 10 km/h slower at maximum speed than the corresponding 1.0 MT.
Fuel consumption also favours the seventh-generation 1.0 MT: 5.5 l/100 km in the city, 3.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 4.4 l/100 km combined. The 1.0 AT records 6.6, 4.8, and 5.5 l/100 km respectively. Choosing the Manual therefore saves 1.1 l/100 km in the city, 1.0 l/100 km on the highway, and 1.1 l/100 km combined. Its CO2 figure is also 25 g/km lower, at 104 g/km rather than 129 g/km.
For the measured sixth-generation pair with 58 hp, the 1.0 MT reaches 100 km/h in 12.2 seconds and 160 km/h, while the 1.0 AT needs 15 seconds and reaches 150 km/h. Their combined fuel figures are 4.8 and 5.9 l/100 km respectively, again a difference of 1.1 l/100 km in favour of the Manual. The 59 hp 1.0 MT also records 12.2 seconds and 160 km/h, but its consumption is not measured. Acceleration, top speed, and consumption for the 59 hp 1.0 AT are not measured.
In the fifth generation, the 1.0 MT with a 720 kg kerb weight reaches 100 km/h in 12.8 seconds and 140 km/h; its fuel consumption is not measured. The 1.0 AT with a 725 kg kerb weight takes 15.9 seconds, reaches 140 km/h, and consumes 7.9 l/100 km in the city, 5.9 l/100 km on the highway, and 6.6 l/100 km combined. The other 1.0 AT records 7.7, 5.8, and 6.5 l/100 km. The other 1.0 MT also takes 15.9 seconds and reaches 140 km/h, while its consumption is not measured.
For the fourth generation, the 42 hp 0.9 MT reaches 100 km/h in 17.6 seconds and 135 km/h. The 44 hp 0.9 MT improves acceleration to 15.6 seconds while retaining a 135 km/h top speed. Acceleration and top speed for both 0.9 AT versions are not measured, and fuel-consumption figures are not measured for any fourth-generation version. The third-generation 0.9 MT takes 16.5 seconds and reaches 135 km/h; its consumption is not measured. Performance and consumption are not measured for the first- and second-generation versions.
Daihatsu Cuore weight, dimensions, and wheel specs
The catalogue data provides weight and ground clearance rather than exterior length or width. Dimensions, length, width, and wheel sizes are not measured for every version.
The lightest measured Cuore is the fourth-generation 44 hp 0.9 MT at 630 kg kerb weight. Its weight-to-power figure is about 14.3 kg per hp. The seventh-generation 1.0 MT weighs 765 kg, but its stronger engine improves that relationship to about 11.1 kg per hp. The seventh-generation 1.0 AT weighs 775 kg, or about 11.2 kg per hp.
Measured fifth-generation kerb weights range from 705 kg to 740 kg. The sixth-generation figures include 725 kg for the 58 hp 1.0 MT, 745 kg for the 58 hp 1.0 AT and 59 hp 1.0 MT, while the 59 hp 1.0 AT weight is not measured. The seventh-generation versions have a gross weight of 1250 kg; the fifth and sixth generations generally list 1200 kg, apart from one fifth-generation 1.0 MT at 1220 kg. The third and fourth generations list 1040 kg.
Ground clearance is 175 mm for the first, second, and third generations. It falls to 140 mm in the fourth generation. Measured fifth- and sixth-generation versions reach 160 mm, while the seventh generation has 155 mm. Fuel-tank capacity progresses from 30 litres in the third generation to 32 litres in the fourth, 40 litres in the fifth, and 36 litres in the sixth and seventh generations. Tank capacity for the first and second generations is not measured.
Which Daihatsu Cuore version to buy and why
For the best measured balance of acceleration and fuel economy, choose the seventh-generation 1.0 MT. It delivers the catalogue’s highest output at 69 hp, its highest measured torque at 94 Nm, its quickest 100 km/h time at 11.1 seconds, and its lowest measured combined consumption at 4.4 l/100 km.
Choose the seventh-generation 1.0 AT when Automatic transmission is the priority. It retains the same 69 hp and 94 Nm as the Manual, but the trade-off is clear: 3 seconds slower to 100 km/h, 10 km/h less top speed, 1.1 l/100 km more combined fuel consumption, 25 g/km more CO2, and 10 kg more kerb weight.
The sixth-generation 1.0 MT with 58 hp is the measured alternative for a lighter car. At 725 kg it is 40 kg lighter than the seventh-generation 1.0 MT, although it has 11 hp less, 3 Nm less torque, and uses 0.4 l/100 km more fuel on the combined cycle. The 59 hp 1.0 MT adds 1 hp, but its kerb weight is 20 kg higher and its fuel consumption is not measured.
For the lowest measured kerb weight, select the fourth-generation 44 hp 0.9 MT at 630 kg. Compared with the 42 hp 0.9 MT, it is 10 kg lighter and reaches 100 km/h 2 seconds sooner, while both have 67 Nm and a 135 km/h top speed. For maximum measured ground clearance, look to the first, second, or third generation at 175 mm. If AWD is non-negotiable, the second-generation 0.9 MT is the only listed choice, available in AWD with 44 hp and 67 Nm.
Prices, current cars for sale, reliability, problems, engine-oil capacity, engine-number location, and engine-swap compatibility are not measured in the supplied catalogue data. Those factors therefore cannot be used to rank the versions here.