Lancia Thesis: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Lancia Thesis was produced as a Sedan from 2002 to 2009 in a single generation, with nine listed versions. Choosing among them comes down to four priorities: outright performance, low-rev torque, transmission type, and whether measured fuel-consumption data matters to you.
The Lancia Thesis was produced as a Sedan from 2002 to 2009 in a single generation, with nine listed versions. Choosing among them comes down to four priorities: outright performance, low-rev torque, transmission type, and whether measured fuel-consumption data matters to you. The 3.2 AT is the quickest and fastest choice, while the 175 hp 2.4 MT diesel offers the strongest torque figure and the best weight-to-power ratio among the diesel versions fitted with a Manual gearbox. The 185 hp 2.4 AT diesel is the only version here with measured fuel consumption and CO₂ figures.
Lancia Thesis generations and versions
The Lancia Thesis has one generation in the supplied catalogue data. This generation ran from 2002 to 2009, used a Sedan body, and included nine versions. Because there is no second generation in the data, the buying decision is entirely between engines and transmissions rather than between different generations.
Several version names occur more than once and therefore need their power figures to distinguish them. The two 2.4 MT diesels produce 150 hp and 175 hp. The two 2.4 AT diesels produce 175 hp and 185 hp. The 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT share the same 170 hp engine output but differ in transmission, acceleration, top speed, and kerb weight.
Lancia Thesis engine and specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 MT | 185 hp | 308 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 5 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.5 MT | 170 hp | 226 Nm | 2446 cc | Gasoline | 5 | Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.5 AT | 170 hp | 226 Nm | 2446 cc | Gasoline | 5 | Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 3.0 AT | 215 hp | 263 Nm | 2959 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 3.2 AT | 230 hp | 289 Nm | 3179 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.4 MT (150 hp) | 150 hp | 304 Nm | 2387 cc | Diesel | 5 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.4 MT (175 hp) | 175 hp | 380 Nm | 2387 cc | Diesel | 5 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.4 AT (175 hp) | 175 hp | 330 Nm | 2387 cc | Diesel | 5 | Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.4 AT (185 hp) | 185 hp | 330 Nm | 2387 cc | Diesel | 5 | Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
The 2.0 MT produces about 92.6 hp per litre, the highest specific output in the range. It combines 185 hp with 308 Nm and is the only Gasoline version listed with Turbo boost. Its torque arrives at 2200 rpm, compared with 3500 rpm for both 170 hp 2.5 versions, 5000 rpm for the 3.0 AT, and 4800 rpm for the 3.2 AT.
Among the diesels, the 185 hp 2.4 AT produces about 77.5 hp per litre, while each 175 hp 2.4 version produces about 73.3 hp per litre. The 175 hp 2.4 MT stands out for its 380 Nm at 2000 rpm: that is 50 Nm more than either 2.4 AT and 76 Nm more than the 150 hp 2.4 MT.
All versions use FWD and a front, transverse engine position. The Manual versions have 6 gears, while every Automatic version has 5 gears.
Performance, fuel economy and mpg data
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 MT | 8.9 s | 224 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.5 MT | 9.5 s | 217 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.5 AT | 10.9 s | 215 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.0 AT | 9.2 s | 234 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.2 AT | 8.8 s | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.4 MT (150 hp) | 10.1 s | 206 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.4 MT (175 hp) | 9.8 s | 225 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.4 AT (175 hp) | 10.2 s | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.4 AT (185 hp) | 9.7 s | 225 km/h | 12.1 l/100 km | 6.9 l/100 km | 8.8 l/100 km | 234 g/km |
For maximum performance, the 3.2 AT is the clear choice: its 8.8-second acceleration time is the quickest in the catalogue, and its 240 km/h maximum is also the highest. The 2.0 MT is only 0.1 second slower to 100 km/h, although its top speed is 16 km/h lower.
The 3.0 AT provides 15 hp less than the 3.2 AT and takes 0.4 second longer to reach 100 km/h. Its top speed is 6 km/h lower. Those differences quantify what the larger Gasoline Automatic delivers, although purchase-price data is not available.
Transmission choice has a visible effect on the two 170 hp 2.5 versions. The 2.5 MT reaches 100 km/h 1.4 seconds sooner than the 2.5 AT and has a 2 km/h higher maximum speed. It is also 30 kg lighter.
Among the diesels, the 185 hp 2.4 AT is fastest to 100 km/h at 9.7 seconds. The 175 hp 2.4 MT follows at 9.8 seconds and reaches the same 225 km/h maximum speed. The 150 hp 2.4 MT is 0.3 second slower than the 175 hp 2.4 AT, but it trails that Automatic version by 14 km/h in maximum speed.
Only the 185 hp 2.4 AT has measured economy data: 12.1 l/100 km in the city, 6.9 l/100 km on the highway, and 8.8 l/100 km combined. Fuel consumption for every other version is not measured, so the data does not support a direct mpg or consumption ranking across the full range.
Dimensions, weight, tank and wheel sizes
Body dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are also not measured for every Lancia Thesis version. All nine versions have a 75-litre fuel tank.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 MT | 1710 kg | 2210 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.5 MT | 1690 kg | 2190 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.5 AT | 1720 kg | 2220 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 3.0 AT | 1750 kg | 2260 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 3.2 AT | 1750 kg | 2340 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.4 MT (150 hp) | 1720 kg | 2225 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.4 MT (175 hp) | 1725 kg | 2225 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.4 AT (175 hp) | 1750 kg | 2250 kg | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
| 2.4 AT (185 hp) | 1895 kg | not measured | not measured | 75 l | not measured |
The 2.5 MT is the lightest version at 1690 kg. The 185 hp 2.4 AT is the heaviest by kerb weight at 1895 kg, making it 205 kg heavier than the 2.5 MT and 145 kg heavier than the 175 hp 2.4 AT.
Weight per horsepower helps separate versions with similar outputs. The 3.2 AT has about 7.6 kg per hp, the best figure in the range. The 2.0 MT follows at about 9.2 kg per hp. Among the diesels, the 175 hp 2.4 MT has about 9.9 kg per hp, compared with 10.0 kg per hp for the 175 hp 2.4 AT and about 10.2 kg per hp for the 185 hp 2.4 AT.
Every version uses independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Disc rear brakes.
Which Lancia Thesis version should you buy?
Choose the 3.2 AT if acceleration and maximum speed take priority. Its 230 hp, 289 Nm, 8.8-second 0–100 km/h time, and 240 km/h maximum lead the range. It also has the strongest weight-to-power result.
Choose the 2.0 MT if you want a Manual Gasoline version with strong performance. Its 185 hp is 15 hp above the 2.5 MT, while its 308 Nm exceeds the 2.5 MT by 82 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h 0.6 second sooner and has a 7 km/h higher maximum speed, though it is 20 kg heavier.
Between the two 170 hp 2.5 versions, choose the 2.5 MT for performance and lower weight: it is 1.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 30 kg lighter. Choose the 2.5 AT only when the Automatic gearbox is the deciding requirement; it adds no power or torque over the 2.5 MT.
Choose the 175 hp 2.4 MT if diesel torque is the priority. Its 380 Nm is the highest torque figure in the entire range, exceeding even the 3.2 AT by 91 Nm. It also combines that output with a 9.8-second acceleration time and a 225 km/h maximum.
Between the two 175 hp diesels, the 2.4 MT has 50 Nm more torque than the 2.4 AT, is 25 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h 0.4 second sooner, and has a 5 km/h higher maximum speed. The 2.4 AT provides the Automatic alternative, but its measured fuel consumption is not available.
Choose the 185 hp 2.4 AT when an Automatic diesel and documented consumption figures matter most. It adds 10 hp over the 175 hp 2.4 AT, cuts 0–100 km/h acceleration by 0.5 second, and raises maximum speed by 5 km/h, while torque remains unchanged at 330 Nm. The trade-off visible in the data is a 145 kg increase in kerb weight.
No reliability or problems data is supplied for any version, so none can honestly be ranked for durability, maintenance risk, or common faults. On the available evidence alone, the 3.2 AT is the performance choice, the 175 hp 2.4 MT is the torque-focused Manual choice, and the 185 hp 2.4 AT is the most defensible Automatic diesel choice when measured economy data is required.