Ford Ixion: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Ford Ixion offers a straightforward choice between two versions: 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Both belong to the same generation, use the same 1,795 cc Gasoline engine, produce 133 hp (98 kW), and have FWD. The deciding factor is therefore the transmission: the 1.8 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 1.8 AT has a 4-speed Automatic.
The Ford Ixion offers a straightforward choice between two versions: 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Both belong to the same generation, use the same 1,795 cc Gasoline engine, produce 133 hp (98 kW), and have FWD. The deciding factor is therefore the transmission: the 1.8 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 1.8 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. Based on the available catalogue data, neither version has an advantage in power, engine capacity, ground clearance, suspension, or listed brake specification.
Ford Ixion versions compared
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 MT | 133 hp (98 kW) | not measured | 1,795 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.8 AT | 133 hp (98 kW) | not measured | 1,795 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Each engine has 2 valves per cylinder. With 4 cylinders, that gives 8 valves in total. Both versions are naturally aspirated according to the listed No boost specification.
The engine produces approximately 74.1 hp per litre in either version. There is no power penalty shown for choosing the Automatic: the 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT are both rated at 133 hp and 98 kW. The Manual provides 1 more forward gear than the Automatic, a difference of 25% relative to the Automatic’s 4 gears.
Which Ford Ixion generation should you buy?
There is no choice between different Ford Ixion generations in this catalogue. The model has 1 generation, produced from 1999 through 2005, with a Compact Van body and 2 versions. No separate restyling is listed.
Because both versions cover the same production period, the catalogue does not show a newer-generation engine, transmission, body, or chassis upgrade to compare. Choosing an Ixion therefore means selecting a gearbox within the same generation rather than deciding between earlier and later designs.
Engine specs: 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT?
Choose the 1.8 MT if a 5-speed Manual gearbox is your priority. It combines that transmission with the shared 1,795 cc Gasoline engine, 133 hp, 98 kW, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, no boost, and FWD.
Choose the 1.8 AT if an Automatic gearbox is the deciding requirement. Its Automatic transmission has 4 gears, but its core engine specification remains identical to the Manual version: 1,795 cc, 133 hp, 98 kW, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, no boost, and Gasoline fuel.
The available figures do not identify a stronger or weaker engine option. Power density is the same at approximately 74.1 hp per litre, while torque and the engine speed at which maximum power is produced are not measured for either version.
Performance, mpg, and fuel economy
The catalogue does not provide measured acceleration or economy results for either Ford Ixion version.
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.8 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Consequently, the data cannot support a claim that the 1.8 MT is faster or more economical than the 1.8 AT. It also cannot show that the 1.8 AT is slower or consumes more fuel. Any mpg comparison between the two would require measurements that are absent here.
Dimensions, weight, and ground clearance
Both Ford Ixion versions have 150 mm of ground clearance. The suspension specification is also shared: Independent, spring suspension at the front and Independent, spring suspension at the rear. Front brakes are listed as Disc for both versions; the rear-brake specification is not measured.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 MT | not measured | not measured | 150 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1.8 AT | not measured | not measured | 150 mm | not measured | not measured |
Because kerb weight is not measured, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated for either version. Gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are likewise not measured, so these fields provide no basis for choosing between the transmissions.
Reliability and problems: what the data can establish
No reliability record or problem data is supplied for the 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT. The catalogue therefore cannot rank one transmission as more reliable, identify recurring faults, or estimate repair frequency. The available specifications only establish that both versions share the same engine output, capacity, cylinder arrangement, boost status, drive system, ground clearance, suspension, and listed front brakes.
What does the different version buy?
No prices are provided, so the data cannot establish whether either version costs extra. In equipment terms, the measurable difference is confined to the gearbox:
- 1.8 MT: 5-speed Manual.
- 1.8 AT: 4-speed Automatic.
The 1.8 MT adds 1 transmission ratio compared with the 1.8 AT. The 1.8 AT changes the transmission type from Manual to Automatic, but it does not buy additional listed power: both remain at 133 hp and 98 kW. It also brings no listed increase in displacement, cylinder count, ground clearance, or drive capability.
Final choice: which Ford Ixion version is best?
The 1.8 MT is the specification-led choice for a buyer who wants the gearbox with more ratios: its 5-speed Manual has 1 more gear than the 4-speed Automatic. The 1.8 AT is the appropriate choice when having an Automatic transmission matters more than the additional Manual ratio.
Beyond that distinction, the catalogue shows a technical tie. Both versions provide 133 hp from 1,795 cc, approximately 74.1 hp per litre, 98 kW, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, no boost, Gasoline fuel, FWD, and 150 mm of ground clearance. With performance, economy, weight, reliability, and price differences not measured, the most defensible buying decision is simply 1.8 MT for a 5-speed Manual or 1.8 AT for a 4-speed Automatic.