Honda Capa: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Honda Capa was produced from April 1998 to January 2002 in a single generation, with a Microvan body and three listed versions.
The Honda Capa was produced from April 1998 to January 2002 in a single generation, with a Microvan body and three listed versions. Choosing between them is mainly a question of transmission, drive system, and kerb weight: the 1.5 AT combines FWD with an Automatic gearbox and weighs 1,080 kg, the FWD 1.5 CVT uses a Variable gearbox and weighs 1,110 kg, while the AWD 1.5 CVT also uses a Variable gearbox but weighs 1,190 kg. All three share the same 1,493 cm³ Gasoline engine, 98 hp, 133 Nm, and 155 mm of ground clearance.
Honda Capa generations and version choice
The 1 generation ran from April 1998 to January 2002 and was offered as a Microvan. The catalogue contains three versions within this generation: 1.5 CVT with FWD, 1.5 AT with FWD, and 1.5 CVT with AWD. There is no second generation to compare, so the meaningful buying decision is between these three powertrain and drive configurations rather than between different periods of the model.
The engine specification does not create a performance hierarchy. Every listed version produces 98 hp at 6,300 rpm and 133 Nm at 3,500 rpm from 1,493 cm³. That equals approximately 65.6 hp per litre and 89.1 Nm per litre for each version. The differences begin after the engine: gearbox, drive, rear suspension description, and kerb weight vary by version.
Honda Capa engine and specs
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 CVT (FWD) | 98 hp (72 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 133 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 1,493 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| 1.5 AT | 98 hp (72 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 133 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 1,493 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 1.5 CVT (AWD) | 98 hp (72 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 133 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 1,493 cm³ | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
Each engine is mounted Front, transverse and has 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), a compression ratio of 9.4, and a bore and stroke of 75 × 84.5. Because the two CVT entries have the exact same database name, 1.5 CVT, they are distinguished here by their drive systems: FWD and AWD.
Honda Capa performance and mpg
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for the 1.5 CVT with FWD, the 1.5 AT, or the 1.5 CVT with AWD. Top speed is also not measured for all three versions.
City fuel consumption is not measured, highway fuel consumption is not measured, and combined fuel consumption is not measured for every version. Consequently, an evidence-based mpg comparison cannot be made from the available figures. CO₂ output and emissions class are not measured as well.
Weight is the only supplied number that indicates how much mass each identical-output engine must move. The 1.5 AT has approximately 11.0 kg per horsepower, compared with approximately 11.3 kg per horsepower for the FWD 1.5 CVT and approximately 12.1 kg per horsepower for the AWD 1.5 CVT. This is a weight-based comparison, not a claimed acceleration result.
Honda Capa dimensions, weight, and chassis specs
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 CVT (FWD) | 1,110 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 40 L | not measured |
| 1.5 AT | 1,080 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 40 L | not measured |
| 1.5 CVT (AWD) | 1,190 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 40 L | not measured |
The 1.5 AT is the lightest version. It is 30 kg lighter than the FWD 1.5 CVT and 110 kg lighter than the AWD 1.5 CVT. The AWD 1.5 CVT is 80 kg heavier than the otherwise similarly named FWD 1.5 CVT. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any version.
All versions have Independent, spring front suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. The FWD and AWD 1.5 CVT entries have Dependent, spring rear suspension. The 1.5 AT is listed with the English rear-suspension label “Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem.”
Which Honda Capa version should you buy?
Choose the 1.5 AT if low kerb weight and a conventional Automatic gearbox are the priorities. Its 1,080 kg kerb weight gives it the lowest weight-to-power ratio in the range, while its 4-speed Automatic and FWD distinguish it clearly from both Variable-gearbox versions. It offers the same 98 hp and 133 Nm as the other choices without their additional mass.
Choose the FWD 1.5 CVT if you specifically want the Variable gearbox but do not require AWD. At 1,110 kg, it is 80 kg lighter than the AWD 1.5 CVT while retaining the same engine output, 155 mm ground clearance, and 40 L fuel tank. The supplied data therefore show no power, torque, clearance, or tank-capacity gain from moving to the AWD version.
Choose the AWD 1.5 CVT when AWD itself is the deciding requirement. Its extra 80 kg over the FWD 1.5 CVT does not bring additional engine output: both have 98 hp and 133 Nm. It is also 110 kg heavier than the 1.5 AT. The measurable difference obtained with this version is AWD rather than more power, greater ground clearance, or a larger tank.
Overall, the 1.5 AT is the strongest numbers-based choice for minimizing mass, the FWD 1.5 CVT is the lighter Variable-gearbox choice, and the AWD 1.5 CVT is the version to select specifically for its drive configuration. Reliability, common problems, purchase price, and repair costs are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a factual ranking of these versions.