Daihatsu Storia: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Daihatsu Storia was offered in one generation, produced from February 1998 through May 2004 as a Mini 5-doors model. Choosing one is therefore a comparison between its seven listed versions rather than between generations.
The Daihatsu Storia was offered in one generation, produced from February 1998 through May 2004 as a Mini 5-doors model. Choosing one is therefore a comparison between its seven listed versions rather than between generations. The key decisions are engine output, gearbox and drive: the 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT versions use a 989 cc Gasoline engine with either 60 hp or 64 hp, while the 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT use a 1297 cc Gasoline engine producing 90 hp. Most versions are FWD, but one 60 hp 1.0 AT combines Automatic transmission with AWD.
Daihatsu Storia generations and versions
The 1 generation covers February 1998 to May 2004 and has a Mini 5-doors body. Its seven listed versions comprise two 1.0 MT entries, three 1.0 AT entries, one 1.3 MT and one 1.3 AT. Because identical names appear with different outputs and, in one case, different drive systems, the power figure and drive type are essential when identifying a car.
There is no later generation in the supplied data, so the Storia’s engine and transmission choices all belong to the same production generation. No separate restyling is listed.
Daihatsu Storia engine specs and version comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp (44 kW) at 6000 rpm | 94 Nm at 3600 rpm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.0 AT (60 hp, AWD) | 60 hp (44 kW) at 6000 rpm | 94 Nm at 3600 rpm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1.0 AT (60 hp, FWD) | 60 hp (44 kW) at 6000 rpm | 94 Nm at 3600 rpm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (64 hp) | 64 hp (47 kW) at 7000 rpm | 94 Nm at 3600 rpm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.0 AT (64 hp) | 64 hp (47 kW) at 7000 rpm | 94 Nm at 3600 rpm | 989 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.3 MT | 90 hp (66 kW) at 6000 rpm | 123 Nm at 4400 rpm | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.3 AT | 90 hp (66 kW) at 6000 rpm | 123 Nm at 4400 rpm | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
All listed engines use distributed injection (multi-point), have four valves per cylinder and run on 92 fuel. The 989 cc engines have a 72 × 81 bore and stroke. Their compression ratio is 10 in the 60 hp versions and 9.5 in the 64 hp versions. The 1297 cc engine has a 72 × 79.7 bore and stroke and a compression ratio of 10.
The 60 hp and 64 hp 989 cc engines deliver the same 94 Nm at the same 3600 rpm. The extra 4 hp in the 64 hp variants arrives at 7000 rpm rather than the 6000 rpm power peak of the 60 hp versions. Their specific outputs are approximately 60.7 hp per litre and 64.7 hp per litre respectively.
Moving from the 64 hp 989 cc engine to the 90 hp 1297 cc engine adds 308 cc, 26 hp and 29 Nm. Compared with a 60 hp version, the 1.3 alternatives add 30 hp and the same 29 Nm. At approximately 69.4 hp per litre, the 1297 cc engine also has the highest power per litre of the listed engines.
Daihatsu Storia performance, mpg and economy
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for every listed Daihatsu Storia version. Top speed is also not measured for every version.
City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any listed version, so a verified mpg comparison cannot be made from the supplied specifications. CO₂ output and emissions class are not measured as well. All versions have a 37-litre fuel tank, but tank capacity alone does not establish fuel economy or driving range.
The available engine figures still show the relative differences clearly. A 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT provides 50% more power than a 60 hp 1.0 version and 40.6% more power than a 64 hp 1.0 version. Its 123 Nm output is approximately 30.9% greater than the 94 Nm available from every 1.0 version. These comparisons describe rated output only; they do not substitute for unmeasured acceleration or top-speed results.
Daihatsu Storia dimensions, weight and wheels
Body length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Gross weight is not measured for any version. Ground clearance is 150 mm and fuel-tank capacity is 37 litres throughout the listed range.
The 60 hp 1.0 MT has a kerb weight of 840 kg. Its weight-to-power figure is 14.0 kg per hp. The 60 hp 1.0 AT with FWD weighs 850 kg, which is 10 kg more than the Manual and gives approximately 14.2 kg per hp. The 60 hp 1.0 AT with AWD weighs 900 kg, making it 60 kg heavier than the 60 hp Manual and 50 kg heavier than the 60 hp Automatic FWD version; its figure is 15.0 kg per hp.
The 64 hp 1.0 MT also weighs 840 kg. It therefore carries the same recorded kerb weight as the 60 hp 1.0 MT while improving the weight-to-power figure from 14.0 to approximately 13.1 kg per hp. Kerb weight is not measured for the 64 hp 1.0 AT or the 1.3 AT.
The 1.3 MT has a recorded kerb weight of 840 kg, matching both listed 1.0 MT versions. With 90 hp, it achieves approximately 9.3 kg per hp. At the same recorded weight, it has 30 hp more than the 60 hp 1.0 MT and 26 hp more than the 64 hp 1.0 MT.
Wheel sizes of 145/80 R13 and 165/65 R14 are listed for the three 60 hp versions. Wheel sizes are not measured for the 64 hp 1.0 MT, 64 hp 1.0 AT, 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT.
Every version has Independent, spring front suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. Independent, spring rear suspension is explicitly listed for the three 60 hp versions; rear-suspension data is not measured for the other four versions.
Which Daihatsu Storia version should you buy?
The 1.3 MT is the strongest numbers-based choice when maximum output and the best verified weight-to-power ratio matter. It combines 90 hp, 123 Nm, a 5-speed Manual, FWD and a recorded 840 kg kerb weight. Compared with the 64 hp 1.0 MT at the same recorded weight, it adds 26 hp and 29 Nm, reducing the weight carried per horsepower from approximately 13.1 kg to approximately 9.3 kg.
The 1.3 AT is the corresponding choice for buyers who want the highest listed output with a 4-speed Automatic. It retains 90 hp and 123 Nm, but its kerb weight is not measured. Consequently, its weight-to-power ratio cannot be verified or compared fairly with that of the 1.3 MT.
Among the smaller Manual versions, the 64 hp 1.0 MT is preferable on the available output and weight figures. Both Manual 1.0 versions have a 989 cc engine, 94 Nm, FWD, a 5-speed Manual and an 840 kg kerb weight, but the 64 hp car provides 4 hp more. The trade-off visible in the specifications is that maximum power occurs at 7000 rpm instead of 6000 rpm.
For an Automatic with FWD, the 64 hp 1.0 AT offers 4 hp more than the 60 hp 1.0 AT FWD while retaining the same 94 Nm. However, its kerb weight is not measured, so the effect of that extra output on weight-to-power cannot be calculated. The 60 hp 1.0 AT FWD is the better-documented Automatic FWD option, with an 850 kg kerb weight and listed 145/80 R13 and 165/65 R14 wheel sizes.
The 60 hp 1.0 AT with AWD is the only listed AWD choice. What that specification adds is AWD; what the numbers also show is a 900 kg kerb weight, 50 kg above the 60 hp Automatic FWD and 60 kg above the 60 hp Manual. Since all three make 60 hp and 94 Nm, the AWD version has the highest verified weight per horsepower of this group at 15.0 kg per hp.
In short, choose the 1.3 MT for the strongest measurable power-to-weight result, the 1.3 AT for 90 hp with Automatic transmission, the 64 hp 1.0 MT for the strongest documented 989 cc Manual combination, or the 60 hp 1.0 AT with AWD when AWD is the deciding requirement. Fuel economy, acceleration, top speed and reliability or problems are not measured in the supplied data, so none of those factors can support a factual ranking here.