Honda Domani specs: the real differences, not the nameplate
Every Honda Domani engine in the data is Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92. Drive is FWD or AWD. Gearboxes are Manual (5), Automatic (4) or Variable (gear count not measured on the CVT). Body is Sedan in both generations.
Every Honda Domani engine in the data is Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 92. Drive is FWD or AWD. Gearboxes are Manual (5), Automatic (4) or Variable (gear count not measured on the CVT). Body is Sedan in both generations. That means the buy decision is displacement, horsepower, kerb weight, drive and gearbox — not fuel type and not body style.
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres) ranks the engines:
- 1 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp and 1.6 AT 130 hp: 130 / 1.590 = 81.8 hp/l (highest specific output in the model).
- 1 generation 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT: 140 / 1.834 = 76.3 hp/l.
- 2 generation 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.6 CVT (and the AWD twins of 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT): 120 / 1.590 = 75.5 hp/l. Same ratio as the 1 generation 1.6 MT 120 hp and 1.6 AT 120 hp.
- 2 generation 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT: 105 / 1.493 = 70.3 hp/l.
- 1 generation 1.5 AT: 94 / 1.493 = 63.0 hp/l (lowest specific output).
Torque per litre follows the same split: 1 generation 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT at 170 Nm / 1.834 l = 92.7 Nm/l; 2 generation 1.6 at 144 / 1.590 = 90.6 Nm/l; 1 generation 1.6 at 120 hp is 142 / 1.590 = 89.3 Nm/l; 1 generation 1.6 at 130 hp is 145 / 1.590 = 91.2 Nm/l; 2 generation 1.5 is 133 / 1.493 = 89.1 Nm/l; 1 generation 1.5 AT is 131 / 1.493 = 87.7 Nm/l.
Honda Domani engine table (every version, exact names)
| Generation | Years | Version | hp @ rpm | Nm @ rpm | cc | Gearbox | Drive | Kerb kg | Clearance mm | Tank l |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.5 MT | 105 @ 6400 | 133 @ 4500 | 1493 | Manual 5 | FWD | 1020 | 150 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.5 AT | 105 @ 6400 | 133 @ 4500 | 1493 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1040 | 150 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.6 AT 120 hp FWD | 120 @ 6400 | 144 @ 5000 | 1590 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1080 | 150 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.6 CVT | 120 @ 6500 | 144 @ 5000 | 1590 | Variable (count not measured) | FWD | 1100 | 150 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.6 MT 120 hp FWD | 120 @ 6400 | 144 @ 5000 | 1590 | Manual 5 | FWD | 1060 | 150 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.6 MT 120 hp AWD | 120 @ 6400 | 144 @ 5000 | 1590 | Manual 5 | AWD | 1140 | 160 | 47 |
| 2 generation | 1997-01-01–2000-09-30 | 1.6 AT 120 hp AWD | 120 @ 6400 | 144 @ 5000 | 1590 | Automatic 4 | AWD | 1160 | 160 | 47 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.5 AT | 94 @ 5500 | 131 @ 4500 | 1493 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1050 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 AT 120 hp FWD | 120 @ 6300 | 142 @ 3000 | 1590 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1050 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 MT 120 hp FWD | 120 @ 6300 | 142 @ 3000 | 1590 | Manual 5 | FWD | 1030 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 MT 120 hp AWD | 120 @ 6300 | 142 @ 3000 | 1590 | Manual 5 | AWD | 1120 | 160 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 AT 120 hp AWD | 120 @ 6300 | 142 @ 3000 | 1590 | Automatic 4 | AWD | 1140 | 160 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 MT 130 hp | 130 @ 6600 | 145 @ 5200 | 1590 | Manual 5 | FWD | 1050 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.6 AT 130 hp | 130 @ 6600 | 145 @ 5200 | 1590 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1080 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.8 AT | 140 @ 6300 | 170 @ 5000 | 1834 | Automatic 4 | FWD | 1120 | 150 | 45 |
| 1 generation | 1992-10-01–1996-12-31 | 1.8 MT | 140 @ 6300 | 170 @ 5000 | 1834 | Manual 5 | FWD | 1100 | 150 | 45 |
Compression: 2 generation 1.5 and 1.6 are all 9.4; 1 generation 1.5 AT is 9; 1 generation 1.6 at 120 hp is 9.1; 1 generation 1.6 at 130 hp and both 1.8 versions are 9.2. Bore × stroke: 2 generation 1.5 is 75 × 84.5; 1 generation 1.5 AT is 75 × 85; all 1.6 versions in both generations are 75 × 90; both 1.8 versions are 81 × 89.
Performance and mpg: what is not measured
For every Honda Domani version, 0–100 is not measured, top speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, mixed consumption is not measured, CO2 is not measured, eco class is not measured. You cannot pick a version on claimed sprint, top speed or mpg from this catalogue. The only measured load-related numbers are kerb weight, ground clearance and tank.
Dimensions and weight: what the extra hardware costs in kilograms
Gross weight is not measured on any version. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version. Ground clearance is 150 mm on every FWD Honda Domani and 160 mm on every AWD Honda Domani — a +10 mm step that appears with AWD in both generations. Tank is 45 l in 1 generation and 47 l in 2 generation (+2 l). Front brakes in 1 generation are Ventilated disc; in 2 generation they are Disc. Rear brakes are Drum on every version. Front and rear suspension are Independent, spring on every version.
Kerb-weight ladder (lightest to heaviest):
- 1020 kg — 2 generation 1.5 MT
- 1030 kg — 1 generation 1.6 MT 120 hp FWD
- 1040 kg — 2 generation 1.5 AT
- 1050 kg — 1 generation 1.5 AT, 1.6 AT 120 hp FWD, 1.6 MT 130 hp
- 1060 kg — 2 generation 1.6 MT FWD
- 1080 kg — 2 generation 1.6 AT FWD; 1 generation 1.6 AT 130 hp
- 1100 kg — 2 generation 1.6 CVT; 1 generation 1.8 MT
- 1120 kg — 1 generation 1.6 MT AWD; 1 generation 1.8 AT
- 1140 kg — 2 generation 1.6 MT AWD; 1 generation 1.6 AT AWD
- 1160 kg — 2 generation 1.6 AT AWD (heaviest Honda Domani)
Weight per horsepower (kg/hp, lower is stronger on paper):
- 7.9 — 1 generation 1.8 MT (1100 / 140)
- 8.0 — 1 generation 1.8 AT (1120 / 140)
- 8.1 — 1 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp (1050 / 130)
- 8.3 — 1 generation 1.6 AT 130 hp (1080 / 130)
- 8.6 — 1 generation 1.6 MT 120 hp FWD (1030 / 120)
- 8.8 — 1 generation 1.6 AT 120 hp FWD (1050 / 120); 2 generation 1.6 MT FWD (1060 / 120)
- 9.0 — 2 generation 1.6 AT FWD (1080 / 120)
- 9.2 — 2 generation 1.6 CVT (1100 / 120)
- 9.3 — 1 generation 1.6 MT AWD (1120 / 120)
- 9.5 — 2 generation 1.6 MT AWD (1140 / 120); 1 generation 1.6 AT AWD (1140 / 120)
- 9.7 — 2 generation 1.5 MT (1020 / 105); 2 generation 1.6 AT AWD (1160 / 120)
- 9.9 — 2 generation 1.5 AT (1040 / 105)
- 11.2 — 1 generation 1.5 AT (1050 / 94), the weakest kg/hp in the model
Automatic vs Manual on the same engine and drive: 2 generation 1.5 AT is +20 kg vs 1.5 MT; 2 generation 1.6 AT FWD is +20 kg vs 1.6 MT FWD; 2 generation 1.6 AT AWD is +20 kg vs 1.6 MT AWD; 1 generation 1.6 AT 120 hp FWD is +20 kg vs 1.6 MT 120 hp FWD; 1 generation 1.6 AT AWD is +20 kg vs 1.6 MT AWD; 1 generation 1.6 AT 130 hp is +30 kg vs 1.6 MT 130 hp; 1 generation 1.8 AT is +20 kg vs 1.8 MT. The Automatic surcharge is 20 kg except on the 130 hp pair, where it is 30 kg.
AWD vs FWD on the same gearbox: 2 generation 1.6 MT AWD is +80 kg vs FWD 1.6 MT; 2 generation 1.6 AT AWD is +80 kg vs FWD 1.6 AT; 1 generation 1.6 MT AWD is +90 kg vs FWD 1.6 MT 120 hp; 1 generation 1.6 AT AWD is +90 kg vs FWD 1.6 AT 120 hp. AWD is never paired with the 94 hp, 105 hp, 130 hp or 140 hp engines — only with 120 hp 1.6.
The 2 generation 1.6 CVT sits 40 kg above FWD 1.6 MT and 20 kg above FWD 1.6 AT. Peak power rpm on 1.6 CVT is 6500, 100 rpm higher than the other 2 generation 1.6 versions at 6400.
Honda Domani 1997 vs Honda Domani 1 generation: what actually changed
Moving from 1 generation (through 1996-12-31) to 2 generation (from 1997-01-01, including Honda Domani 2000 cars up to 2000-09-30) is not a free upgrade on every axis.
What 2 generation adds: a 47 l tank instead of 45 l; the only 1.5 MT in the model (105 hp, 1020 kg); a 105 hp 1.5 instead of 94 hp; a Variable 1.6 CVT; 9.4 compression on both 1.5 and 1.6 versus 9.0–9.2 in 1 generation; 144 Nm on the 120 hp 1.6 versus 142 Nm in 1 generation (+2 Nm), with peak torque at 5000 rpm instead of 3000 rpm.
What 2 generation drops: the entire 1.8 line (140 hp / 170 Nm / 1834 cc); the 130 hp 1.6 (81.8 hp/l); Ventilated disc front brakes (2 generation front brakes are Disc); AWD that was 90 kg over FWD becomes 80 kg over FWD.
Same-name 1.6 at 120 hp is therefore not the same car across generations: 1 generation FWD 1.6 MT is 1030 kg at 6300 rpm / 142 Nm @ 3000; 2 generation FWD 1.6 MT is 1060 kg at 6400 rpm / 144 Nm @ 5000. That is +30 kg and +2 Nm, with torque peak 2000 rpm later. 1 generation FWD 1.6 AT 120 hp is 1050 kg; 2 generation FWD 1.6 AT is 1080 kg (+30 kg).
The 1.5 comparison is larger: 1 generation 1.5 AT is 94 hp / 69 kW / 131 Nm / 1050 kg / 9.0 compression / 75 × 85; 2 generation 1.5 AT is 105 hp / 77 kW / 133 Nm / 1040 kg / 9.4 / 75 × 84.5. That is +11 hp, −10 kg, +2 Nm. 2 generation 1.5 MT then undercuts the Automatic by another 20 kg at the same 105 hp.
Which Honda Domani version to choose
If the goal is the strongest kg/hp and the most torque: 1 generation 1.8 MT (140 hp, 170 Nm, 1100 kg, 7.9 kg/hp, Manual 5, FWD). 1.8 AT is the same engine with +20 kg. These two are the only 1834 cc Honda Domani versions; they do not exist in 2 generation. 0–100 and mpg remain not measured.
If the goal is the highest specific output on a 1.6: 1 generation 1.6 MT 130 hp (130 hp, 145 Nm, 1050 kg, 8.1 kg/hp, 81.8 hp/l). 1.6 AT 130 hp adds 30 kg. Neither 130 hp version is AWD. 2 generation never offers 130 hp.
If the goal is the lightest Honda Domani, or a Honda Domani 1997–2000 daily FWD sedan with a Manual: 2 generation 1.5 MT (105 hp, 1020 kg, 47 l tank). It is 11 hp above 1 generation 1.5 AT and 30 kg lighter than that 94 hp Automatic. 1.5 AT in 2 generation is the same engine at 1040 kg.
If the goal is 2 generation 1.6 without AWD: FWD 1.6 MT (1060 kg, 8.8 kg/hp) is the lightest 120 hp car of that generation. FWD 1.6 AT is +20 kg. 1.6 CVT is +40 kg versus the Manual and is the only Variable Honda Domani; gear count, 0–100 and mpg are not measured, so the CVT cannot be ranked on those.
If the goal is AWD: only four versions exist, all 120 hp 1.6. Prefer 1 generation 1.6 MT AWD (1120 kg, 160 mm) over 1 generation 1.6 AT AWD (1140 kg). In 2 generation, 1.6 MT AWD is 1140 kg and 1.6 AT AWD is 1160 kg — 20 kg heavier than the matching 1 generation Automatic AWD and 20 kg heavier than 2 generation Manual AWD. AWD always adds 10 mm of clearance (160 vs 150) and never appears on 1.5, 130 hp or 1.8.
If the goal is the smallest penalty for an Automatic: every Automatic except the 130 hp pair is +20 kg versus its Manual twin. Do not buy 1 generation 1.5 AT if a 2 generation 1.5 AT is available: same name, but 94 hp vs 105 hp and 1050 kg vs 1040 kg.
Skip on the numbers: 1 generation 1.5 AT is the lowest hp (94), lowest hp/l (63.0) and highest kg/hp (11.2). 2 generation 1.6 AT AWD is the heaviest Honda Domani (1160 kg) at the same 120 hp as cars 100 kg lighter.
Honda Domani wagon, interior, headlights, tail lights, front end and parts are not in this dataset; neither is a measured Honda Domani vs Civic, Honda Domani vs Accord or Honda Domani vs Acura EL comparison. Sale prices are not in the data. Reliability and typical problems are not measured here. The arithmetic that is measured says: 1.8 MT or 1.6 MT 130 hp if you stay in 1 generation and want power density; 1.5 MT or FWD 1.6 MT if you stay in 2 generation and want the least mass; AWD only if 160 mm and the 80–90 kg surcharge are the point of the purchase.