Datsun Sunny

Datsun Sunny: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Datsun Sunny catalogue contains one Coupe generation produced from 1973 to 1983, with four versions: 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 AT. The main buying decision is straightforward: choose between the 1,171 cc engine with 70 hp (51 kW) and 95 Nm, or the 1,397 cc engine with 80 hp (59 kW); then choose either a 4-speed Manual or a 3-speed Automatic.

The Datsun Sunny catalogue contains one Coupe generation produced from 1973 to 1983, with four versions: 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 AT. The main buying decision is straightforward: choose between the 1,171 cc engine with 70 hp (51 kW) and 95 Nm, or the 1,397 cc engine with 80 hp (59 kW); then choose either a 4-speed Manual or a 3-speed Automatic. Every version is Gasoline-powered, naturally aspirated, and RWD. Because acceleration, top speed, and fuel-consumption figures were not measured, the clearest comparisons come from engine output, transmission type, kerb weight where available, and power-to-weight calculations.

Datsun Sunny generations and versions

The 1 generation ran from 1973 to 1983 as a Coupe and includes four versions. There is no second generation or restyling listed in the supplied catalogue data, so buyers are comparing powertrains within the same generation rather than choosing between different generations. The 1.2 engine is offered in 1.2 MT and 1.2 AT, while the 1.4 engine is available in 1.4 MT and 1.4 AT.

All four versions share RWD, 170 mm of ground clearance, Independent, spring front suspension, Dependent, spring rear suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. The available data therefore points to engine size and gearbox as the meaningful differences.

Datsun Sunny engine and specs comparison

Both engines use a Carburetor, have 2 valves per cylinder, and have no boost. The 1.2 MT and 1.2 AT have a compression ratio of 8.5 and a bore-and-stroke measurement of 73 × 70 mm. Compression ratio is not measured for the 1.4 MT and 1.4 AT, whose bore and stroke measure 76 × 73 mm.

The larger engine adds 226 cc and 10 hp over the smaller unit, increases rated output by about 14.3%, and adds 8 kW. Based on the catalogue displacement and horsepower figures, the 1.2 produces approximately 59.8 hp per litre, while the 1.4 produces approximately 57.3 hp per litre. The 1.2 is therefore about 2.5 hp per litre higher in specific output, but the 1.4 provides the greater total power.

A direct torque comparison is unavailable: the 1.2 MT and 1.2 AT are rated at 95 Nm, whereas torque for the 1.4 MT and 1.4 AT was not measured. Engine-speed figures for both power and torque were also not measured.

Datsun Sunny performance, mpg, and economy

Performance and economy cannot be ranked from measured road-test figures because the required values are absent for every version.

CO₂ output and ecological class are also not measured for 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 AT. An mpg comparison would consequently be speculative. The 1.4 versions have 10 hp more than the 1.2 versions, but the supplied figures do not establish how that difference affects acceleration, maximum speed, or fuel use.

The transmission choice is similarly clear in specification but not in measured performance: 1.2 MT and 1.4 MT use a 4-speed Manual, while 1.2 AT and 1.4 AT use a 3-speed Automatic. No acceleration or consumption data demonstrates an advantage for either gearbox.

Datsun Sunny dimensions, weight, and clearance

The two Manual versions provide the cleanest numerical comparison because both have a 705 kg kerb weight. The 1.2 MT carries about 10.1 kg per horsepower, while the 1.4 MT carries about 8.8 kg per horsepower. Expressed as power per unit of mass, that is approximately 99.3 hp per tonne for 1.2 MT and 113.5 hp per tonne for 1.4 MT.

With equal listed weight, the 1.4 MT improves power-to-weight by approximately 14.3% over the 1.2 MT. Equivalent calculations cannot be made reliably for 1.2 AT or 1.4 AT, because their kerb weights were not measured.

All four versions provide the same 170 mm ground clearance. Gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes were not measured for any version.

Which Datsun Sunny version should you buy?

The 1.4 MT is the strongest numbers-based choice. It combines the catalogue’s highest output of 80 hp (59 kW) with a measured kerb weight of 705 kg and a 4-speed Manual. Compared with 1.2 MT, it adds 226 cc and 10 hp without adding listed kerb weight, improving the calculated figure from approximately 10.1 to 8.8 kg per horsepower. Its main missing specification is torque, which was not measured.

Choose 1.2 MT if the smaller engine is the priority. It provides 70 hp (51 kW), 95 Nm, a 4-speed Manual, and the same 705 kg kerb weight and 170 mm clearance as 1.4 MT. It also has the higher calculated specific output—approximately 59.8 hp per litre versus 57.3 hp per litre—but trails the larger engine by 10 hp in total output.

Choose 1.4 AT if an Automatic gearbox is essential and maximum listed power matters. It pairs the 3-speed Automatic with 80 hp (59 kW), giving it 10 hp more than 1.2 AT. However, its torque and kerb weight were not measured, so its power-to-weight ratio cannot be compared with the Manual versions.

Choose 1.2 AT if the desired combination is the smaller 1,171 cc engine and a 3-speed Automatic. It retains the 70 hp (51 kW) and 95 Nm specifications of 1.2 MT, but its kerb weight was not measured. No supplied performance or economy figure shows whether the Automatic changes acceleration or consumption.

No purchase-price data is available, so the extra money required for any version—and its value—cannot be calculated. On specifications alone, 1.4 MT offers the clearest performance advantage, 1.2 MT supplies the most complete smaller-engine specification, 1.4 AT combines the most powerful engine with Automatic transmission, and 1.2 AT is the smaller-engine Automatic alternative.

Datsun Sunny reliability and problems

Reliability records and model-specific problem data were not measured. The catalogue confirms that all four versions use a Gasoline, Inline 4-cylinder engine with a Carburetor, 2 valves per cylinder, no boost, and RWD, but these specifications do not establish failure rates or durability. A reliability ranking between 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.4 MT, and 1.4 AT would therefore go beyond the supplied evidence.