Nissan Liberta Villa: Which Version to Buy and Why
Choosing a Nissan Liberta Villa begins with a clear generational trade-off. The first-generation Sedan, produced from 1982 to 1986, offers 8 versions, 170 mm of ground clearance, and kerb weights from 820 to 890 kg.
Choosing a Nissan Liberta Villa begins with a clear generational trade-off. The first-generation Sedan, produced from 1982 to 1986, offers 8 versions, 170 mm of ground clearance, and kerb weights from 820 to 890 kg. The second-generation Sedan, produced from 1986 to 1990, expands the catalogue to 25 versions, lowers ground clearance to 150 mm, and includes the available specifications shown here with outputs from 73 to 120 hp, kerb weights from 910 to 1,150 kg, FWD or AWD, and Manual or Automatic transmissions. Across the model’s 2 generations, the practical buying question is whether to prioritize the first generation’s lower weight and greater clearance or the second generation’s broader choice of engines, transmissions, fuel systems, and drive layouts.
Generations: what changed between 1982–1986 and 1986–1990?
The first generation ran from 1982 to 1986 as a Sedan with 8 versions. Its engine range includes 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT Gasoline variants, a turbocharged 1.5 MT, and Diesel-powered 1.7 MT and 1.7 AT versions. Every listed first-generation car is FWD. Kerb weight varies from 820 kg for the 75 hp and 86 hp 1.5 MT versions to 890 kg for both 62 hp 1.7 versions. All have 170 mm of ground clearance and a 50-litre tank.
The second generation ran from 1986 to 1990 as a Sedan with 25 versions. Among the specifications supplied, the choice extends from 73 hp 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT cars to a 120 hp 1.6 MT. Several distinct cars share the names 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT, so power output is essential when identifying them. FWD remains available, while the 97 hp 1.5 MT and 97 hp 1.5 AT also include AWD configurations. Every listed second-generation version has 150 mm of ground clearance and a 50-litre tank.
Nissan Liberta Villa engines and specs
Because repeated version names represent different specifications, each 1.5 MT or 1.5 AT is identified by power below.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1986 1.5 MT, 75 hp | 75 hp | not measured | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.5 MT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.5 AT, 86 hp | 86 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.5 MT, 95 hp | 95 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.5 AT, 95 hp | 95 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.5 MT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 167 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.7 MT, 62 hp | 62 hp | 104 Nm | 1,680 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1982–1986 1.7 AT, 62 hp | 62 hp | 104 Nm | 1,680 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 MT, 73 hp | 73 hp | 116 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 73 hp | 73 hp | 116 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 MT, 82 hp | 82 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 82 hp | 82 hp | 123 Nm | 1,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 MT, 85 hp | 85 hp | 123 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 85 hp | 85 hp | 123 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 85 hp | 85 hp | 123 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 MT, 97 hp AWD | 97 hp | 128 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 97 hp AWD | 97 hp | 128 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 MT, 97 hp FWD | 97 hp | 128 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.5 AT, 97 hp FWD | 97 hp | 128 Nm | 1,497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1986–1990 1.6 MT, 120 hp | 120 hp | 137 Nm | 1,598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
Performance, top speed, and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for every version in the supplied data. Fuel consumption in city, highway, and combined driving is also not measured for every version, so an mpg comparison cannot be made from these figures.
Top speed is measured for only 3 first-generation versions: the 95 hp 1.5 MT reaches 170 km/h, the turbocharged 115 hp 1.5 MT reaches 180 km/h, and the 62 hp 1.7 MT reaches 145 km/h. Top speed is not measured for the other first-generation versions or any listed second-generation version.
Power-to-displacement comparisons still show meaningful differences. The first-generation turbocharged 115 hp 1.5 MT produces about 77.3 hp per litre, compared with about 63.8 hp per litre for the naturally aspirated 95 hp 1.5 MT and about 41.7 hp per litre for the 62 hp 1.7 MT Diesel. In the second generation, the 120 hp 1.6 MT produces about 75.1 hp per litre, while the 97 hp 1.5 versions produce about 64.8 hp per litre. The 73 hp 1.5 versions deliver about 49.1 hp per litre.
Dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
External length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data. Gross weight is not measured for any version, and wheel sizes are not measured for any version.
The first generation combines 170 mm of ground clearance with kerb weights between 820 and 890 kg. At 820 kg, the 86 hp 1.5 MT carries about 9.5 kg per horsepower. The 95 hp 1.5 MT weighs 850 kg, or about 8.9 kg per horsepower, while the turbocharged 115 hp 1.5 MT weighs 880 kg, or about 7.7 kg per horsepower. The 62 hp 1.7 MT and 1.7 AT each weigh 890 kg, giving about 14.4 kg per horsepower.
The second generation is heavier and sits 20 mm lower. Its lightest listed version is the 910 kg, 73 hp 1.5 MT, at about 12.5 kg per horsepower. The 970 kg, 97 hp FWD 1.5 MT improves that figure to 10.0 kg per horsepower. The 1,130 kg, 97 hp AWD 1.5 MT carries about 11.6 kg per horsepower, while the 1,150 kg, 97 hp AWD 1.5 AT carries about 11.9 kg per horsepower. The 1,040 kg, 120 hp 1.6 MT gives the strongest listed second-generation ratio at about 8.7 kg per horsepower.
Every version has a 50-litre fuel tank. Tank capacity therefore does not separate the choices, while kerb weight, ground clearance, transmission, output, and drive layout do.
Which Nissan Liberta Villa version should you buy?
For the strongest measured first-generation performance, choose the turbocharged 1.5 MT with 115 hp and 167 Nm. It has the highest torque in the entire supplied catalogue, a measured top speed of 180 km/h, and about 7.7 kg per horsepower. Against the naturally aspirated 95 hp 1.5 MT, it adds 20 hp and 44 Nm while increasing kerb weight by 30 kg.
For the highest output without turbocharging, choose the second-generation 1.6 MT with 120 hp and 137 Nm. It has 23 hp more than the 97 hp 1.5 MT FWD and weighs 70 kg more. Its roughly 8.7 kg-per-horsepower figure is better than the 10.0 kg per horsepower of that 97 hp FWD Manual.
For AWD, the decision is between the 97 hp 1.5 MT and 97 hp 1.5 AT. Both provide 128 Nm, but the Manual has 5 speeds and weighs 1,130 kg, while the Automatic has 3 speeds and weighs 1,150 kg. The Manual is therefore 20 kg lighter. Compared with the 970 kg 97 hp FWD 1.5 MT, the AWD Manual adds 160 kg without adding power or torque. Compared with the 1,020 kg 97 hp FWD 1.5 AT, the AWD Automatic adds 130 kg and uses 3 speeds instead of 4.
For a lighter Automatic second-generation car, compare the 85 hp 1.5 AT variants. The 3-speed Automatic weighs 940 kg, while the 4-speed Automatic weighs 970 kg. Both produce 85 hp and 123 Nm, so the extra transmission ratio comes with 30 kg more kerb weight in the supplied specifications.
For Diesel, choose between the first-generation 1.7 MT and 1.7 AT. Both have 62 hp, 104 Nm, 1,680 cc, FWD, 890 kg kerb weight, 170 mm clearance, and a 50-litre tank. The difference is transmission: a 5-speed Manual or a 3-speed Automatic. The Manual has a measured 145 km/h top speed; the Automatic’s top speed is not measured. Fuel consumption is not measured for either, so the data cannot support an economy advantage.
For the lowest listed kerb weight, the first-generation 75 hp or 86 hp 1.5 MT is the answer at 820 kg. Between the 2 versions, the 86 hp car adds 11 hp with no increase in listed kerb weight. Its torque is 123 Nm; torque for the 75 hp version is not measured. On the available figures alone, the 86 hp 1.5 MT is the stronger lightweight choice.
Overall, the turbocharged first-generation 115 hp 1.5 MT offers the best weight-per-horsepower figure and the highest measured top speed, the second-generation 120 hp 1.6 MT provides the highest outright power, and the second-generation 97 hp 1.5 MT AWD is the lighter of the AWD choices. Buyers prioritizing clearance and low mass should focus on the first generation; buyers prioritizing drivetrain and transmission variety should examine the second generation.