Daihatsu Tanto: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Daihatsu Tanto range is easiest to choose by working backward from three decisions: naturally aspirated or Turbo, FWD or AWD, and Variable transmission or Automatic. Every listed version uses a 659 cc Gasoline Inline 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder and distributed multi-point injection.
The Daihatsu Tanto range is easiest to choose by working backward from three decisions: naturally aspirated or Turbo, FWD or AWD, and Variable transmission or Automatic. Every listed version uses a 659 cc Gasoline Inline 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder and distributed multi-point injection. Outputs range from 52 hp and 60 Nm to 64 hp and 103 Nm, while kerb weight ranges from 890 kg to 1,010 kg. The fourth generation, produced from June 2019, offers the lightest and most economical configuration in the data. Earlier generations provide other distinctions, including a 4-speed Automatic in the first and second generations and RWD in one first-generation version.
Daihatsu Tanto generations compared
First generation: 2003–2007
The first-generation Microvan was produced from November 2003 to November 2007 and has 4 versions. All are named 0.7 AT, so power and drive are essential identifiers. The naturally aspirated choices produce 58 hp and 64 Nm, while the Turbo choices deliver 64 hp and 103 Nm. Every version has a 4-speed Automatic. Drives represented in the data are FWD, AWD, and RWD.
The 58 hp FWD 0.7 AT weighs 890 kg and has 145 mm of ground clearance. The 58 hp AWD version weighs 940 kg and clears 150 mm. Among the Turbo models, the 64 hp RWD 0.7 AT weighs 920 kg, while the 64 hp AWD version weighs 960 kg; both have 150 mm of clearance.
Second generation: 2007–2013
The second-generation Microvan ran from December 2007 to September 2013 and has 8 versions. It provides the broadest transmission choice in the supplied data: 0.7 AT models use a 4-speed Automatic, while 0.7 CVT models use a Variable transmission. Both FWD and AWD are available.
Naturally aspirated output is either 52 hp with 60 Nm or 58 hp with 64 Nm. Turbo versions produce 64 hp and 103 Nm. Kerb weights extend from 920 kg to 1,010 kg, and ground clearance is 160 mm for the listed FWD versions and 155 mm for the listed AWD versions.
Third generation: 2013–2019
The original third-generation Microvan was produced from October 2013 to November 2015 with 4 versions. Its restyled phase ran from December 2015 to June 2019 and also has 4 versions. This is one generation with a restyling, not two separate generations.
All third-generation versions are named 0.7 CVT, use a Variable transmission, and offer FWD or AWD. Naturally aspirated models produce 52 hp and 60 Nm; Turbo models produce 64 hp and 103 Nm. Every listed version has 145 mm of ground clearance and a 30 L tank.
In the original phase, kerb weight runs from 940 kg to 990 kg. In the restyled phase, it ranges from 940 kg to 1,010 kg. The naturally aspirated acceleration figures remain 22.5 seconds for FWD and 23.3 seconds for AWD. Among the Turbo entries, the original phase records 16.1 seconds for FWD and 16.9 seconds for AWD; the restyled phase records 16.5 seconds for FWD and 17.3 seconds for AWD.
Fourth generation: from 2019
The fourth-generation Microvan began production in June 2019 and has 4 versions, all named 0.7 CVT. Buyers can combine a naturally aspirated or Turbo engine with FWD or AWD.
The naturally aspirated engine produces 52 hp and 60 Nm, while the Turbo produces 64 hp and 100 Nm. FWD models have 150 mm of clearance; AWD models have 165 mm. Kerb weights range from 890 kg for the naturally aspirated FWD version to 970 kg for the Turbo AWD version. This is also the only generation in the supplied data with measured city, highway, and combined fuel-consumption figures.
Daihatsu Tanto engine specs and version table
Because several configurations share the same 0.7 AT or 0.7 CVT name, the table distinguishes them by generation, power, boost, transmission, and drive.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Engine | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 58 hp | 58 hp | 64 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation restyling 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation restyling 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Third generation restyling 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation restyling 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 103 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 CVT, 52 hp | 52 hp | 60 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 100 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 CVT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 100 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
The 52 hp engine develops about 78.9 hp per litre. The 58 hp engine reaches about 88.0 hp per litre, and the 64 hp Turbo reaches about 97.1 hp per litre. Moving from 52 hp to 64 hp adds 12 hp, a gain of about 23.1%. Fourth-generation torque rises from 60 Nm to 100 Nm with Turbo, an increase of 40 Nm or about 66.7%. In the earlier Turbo versions, 103 Nm represents a 43 Nm or about 71.7% increase over 60 Nm.
Performance, fuel consumption, and mpg data
The third generation provides the clearest acceleration comparison. In its original phase, the 52 hp FWD 0.7 CVT reaches 100 km/h in 22.5 seconds, while its 52 hp AWD counterpart takes 23.3 seconds. The 64 hp Turbo FWD version records 16.1 seconds, making it 6.4 seconds quicker than the naturally aspirated FWD model. The 64 hp Turbo AWD version takes 16.9 seconds, 6.4 seconds quicker than the naturally aspirated AWD model.
After restyling, the 52 hp figures remain 22.5 seconds for FWD and 23.3 seconds for AWD. The 64 hp Turbo versions record 16.5 seconds with FWD and 17.3 seconds with AWD. Compared with the corresponding original versions, each restyled Turbo entry is 0.4 seconds slower in the supplied figures.
Second-generation measured results range from 16.5 seconds for the 64 hp Turbo FWD 0.7 CVT to 22.9 seconds for the 52 hp AWD 0.7 CVT. The 58 hp FWD 0.7 CVT records 19.3 seconds, while the 58 hp FWD and AWD 0.7 AT versions record 19.5 and 20.6 seconds respectively. Acceleration is not measured for the remaining second-generation entries. First- and fourth-generation 0–100 km/h performance is not measured.
Top speed is not measured for any listed version.
Fourth-generation fuel consumption is measured as follows:
| Fourth-generation version | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 CVT, 52 hp, FWD | 5.4 L/100 km | 4.4 L/100 km | 4.7 L/100 km |
| 0.7 CVT, 52 hp, AWD | 6.0 L/100 km | 4.6 L/100 km | 5.0 L/100 km |
| 0.7 CVT, 64 hp, FWD | 5.7 L/100 km | 4.7 L/100 km | 5.0 L/100 km |
| 0.7 CVT, 64 hp, AWD | 6.0 L/100 km | 5.0 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km |
The 52 hp FWD version uses 0.3 L/100 km less than either the 52 hp AWD or 64 hp FWD version in combined driving. The 64 hp Turbo AWD version uses 0.6 L/100 km more than the 52 hp FWD model. Fuel consumption and mpg are not measured for the first, second, or third generation.
Daihatsu Tanto dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
Body length, width, height, wheelbase, interior dimensions, gross weight, and wheel sizes are not measured for any version in the supplied data.
The lightest listed Tanto is the fourth-generation 52 hp FWD 0.7 CVT at 890 kg. Its weight-to-power figure is about 17.1 kg per hp. The fourth-generation 64 hp FWD 0.7 CVT weighs 920 kg but improves that ratio to about 14.4 kg per hp. The Turbo version therefore adds 30 kg while gaining 12 hp and 40 Nm.
For fourth-generation AWD, the 52 hp version weighs 940 kg, or about 18.1 kg per hp. The 64 hp Turbo AWD weighs 970 kg, or about 15.2 kg per hp. Choosing AWD adds 50 kg to either fourth-generation engine configuration and raises ground clearance from 150 mm to 165 mm, a difference of 15 mm.
Third-generation versions weigh between 940 kg and 1,010 kg, all with 145 mm of clearance. The original Turbo FWD version combines 64 hp with 940 kg, or about 14.7 kg per hp. Its restyled equivalent weighs 960 kg, or about 15.0 kg per hp. The heaviest third-generation entry is the restyled 64 hp Turbo AWD 0.7 CVT at 1,010 kg.
Second-generation FWD versions have 160 mm of clearance, while AWD versions have 155 mm. The first generation ranges from 145 mm to 150 mm. Tank capacity is 34 L in the first and second generations, then 30 L in the third and fourth generations.
Which Daihatsu Tanto version should you choose?
For the lowest measured fuel consumption, choose the fourth-generation 52 hp FWD 0.7 CVT. It combines the range’s lowest listed kerb weight of 890 kg with 4.7 L/100 km combined consumption. It is the data-led economy choice, although its 0–100 km/h time and top speed are not measured.
For the strongest fourth-generation performance-to-weight case, choose the 64 hp Turbo FWD 0.7 CVT. Compared with the 52 hp FWD version, it provides 12 hp and 40 Nm more while adding only 30 kg. Its combined consumption is 5.0 L/100 km, just 0.3 L/100 km higher.
For fourth-generation AWD and maximum listed clearance, both AWD versions provide 165 mm, 15 mm more than their FWD equivalents. The 52 hp AWD 0.7 CVT is the more economical AWD choice at 5.0 L/100 km combined. The 64 hp Turbo AWD version offers 40 Nm more torque but consumes 5.3 L/100 km combined and weighs 30 kg more.
For measured acceleration, the original third-generation 64 hp Turbo FWD 0.7 CVT is the strongest documented choice at 16.1 seconds to 100 km/h. It is 0.4 seconds quicker than the corresponding restyled version and 6.4 seconds quicker than the original 52 hp FWD model.
For a 4-speed Automatic instead of a Variable transmission, choose a first- or second-generation 0.7 AT. The second generation offers measured acceleration for its 58 hp Automatic versions: 19.5 seconds with FWD and 20.6 seconds with AWD. Fuel consumption for these versions is not measured.
For the highest ground clearance outside the fourth generation, choose a second-generation FWD version at 160 mm. For the largest tank, the first and second generations provide 34 L, which is 4 L more than the third and fourth generations. Prices, availability for sale, engine oil capacity, engine number location, reliability, and wheel sizes are not measured, so none should determine a comparison based on this dataset alone.