Which Nissan Stanza Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan Stanza version to choose depends chiefly on whether you prioritize power, transmission type, or greater ground clearance. Among the listed sedans, the third-generation 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT are the most powerful at 140 hp (102 kW), while the first-generation cars offer 170 mm of ground clearance—25 mm more than the third generation.
The Nissan Stanza version to choose depends chiefly on whether you prioritize power, transmission type, or greater ground clearance. Among the listed sedans, the third-generation 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT are the most powerful at 140 hp (102 kW), while the first-generation cars offer 170 mm of ground clearance—25 mm more than the third generation. The 2.4 MT pairs the strongest engine with a 5-speed Manual gearbox and has the lowest measured combined consumption among the versions with available economy data, at 10.1 l/100 km. The 2.4 AT adds Automatic operation, measured acceleration and a measured top speed, but its combined consumption is 1.1 l/100 km higher. Buyers seeking a simpler, lower-output configuration can consider the first-generation 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT, while the second-generation 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT sit between the early 1.6- and 1.8-liter cars and the later 2.4-liter models.
Nissan Stanza generations: what changed?
The first generation covers 1981–1985 and is listed only as a Sedan. It contains six versions: 1.6 MT with 82 hp, 1.6 AT with 82 hp, two 1.8 MT versions producing 90 hp and 88 hp, and two 1.8 AT versions producing 90 hp and 88 hp. Every version is FWD. Manual models have 5 gears, Automatic models have 3, and ground clearance is 170 mm throughout the generation.
The second generation covers 1986–1989, including the years commonly associated with searches for a Nissan Stanza 1987 or Nissan Stanza 1989. This Sedan generation has two versions: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Both use a 2000 cc Gasoline engine producing 94 hp (69 kW), an increase of 4 hp over the 90 hp first-generation 1.8 versions and 6 hp over the 88 hp alternatives. Ground clearance falls from 170 mm to 160 mm. The transmission choice remains a 5-speed Manual or a 3-speed Automatic.
The third generation covers 1990–1992 and therefore includes the Nissan Stanza 1990, Nissan Stanza 1991, and Nissan Stanza 1992 model years. It is also a Sedan and offers two versions, 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT. Both produce 140 hp (102 kW) from 2388 cc, giving them 46 hp more than the second-generation 2.0 models. The Manual retains 5 gears, whereas the Automatic gains a fourth gear compared with the 3-speed Automatic transmissions in the earlier generations. Ground clearance decreases to 145 mm, 15 mm below the second generation and 25 mm below the first.
Only Sedan bodywork appears in the supplied catalogue data. Wagon and hatchback specifications are not measured here, so searches for a Nissan Stanza wagon, Nissan Stanza hatchback, or Nissan Stanza wagon for sale cannot be answered from this dataset.
Nissan Stanza engine and horsepower comparison
All listed Nissan Stanza engines are Gasoline, have 4 cylinders in an Inline layout, and drive the front wheels. The figures below retain duplicate version names and distinguish them by horsepower.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1985 1.6 MT, 82 hp | 82 hp (60 kW) | not measured | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1981–1985 1.6 AT, 82 hp | 82 hp (60 kW) | not measured | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | FWD |
| 1981–1985 1.8 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp (66 kW) | not measured | 1809 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1981–1985 1.8 AT, 90 hp | 90 hp (66 kW) | not measured | 1809 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | FWD |
| 1981–1985 1.8 MT, 88 hp | 88 hp (65 kW) | 142 Nm at 3200 rpm | 1809 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1981–1985 1.8 AT, 88 hp | 88 hp (65 kW) | 142 Nm at 3200 rpm | 1809 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | FWD |
| 1986–1989 2.0 MT, 94 hp | 94 hp (69 kW) | not measured | 2000 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1986–1989 2.0 AT, 94 hp | 94 hp (69 kW) | not measured | 2000 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Automatic, 3 gears | FWD |
| 1990–1992 2.4 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp (102 kW) | not measured | 2388 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | not measured | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1990–1992 2.4 AT, 140 hp | 140 hp (102 kW) | not measured | 2388 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
Calculated from the supplied displacement and power figures, the 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT produce 51.3 hp per liter. The 90 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT return 49.8 hp per liter, while their 88 hp counterparts return 48.6 hp per liter. The 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT produce 47.0 hp per liter. The 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT lead at 58.6 hp per liter, 7.3 hp per liter above the 1.6 versions.
Fuel delivery also separates otherwise similar first-generation cars. The 90 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT use Distributed injection (multi-point), have 2 valves per cylinder, an 8.8 compression ratio, and an 83 × 83.6 bore and stroke. The 88 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT use a Carburetor. The second-generation 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT also use a Carburetor. The third-generation 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT use Distributed injection (multi-point), have 2 valves per cylinder, a 9.2 compression ratio, an 89 × 96 bore and stroke, and a Front, transverse engine position.
Nissan Stanza performance and mpg
Performance is fully measured only for the third-generation 2.4 AT. It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 198 km/h. Its consumption is 13 l/100 km in the city, 9.4 l/100 km on the highway, and 11.2 l/100 km combined.
The 2.4 MT has not measured 0–100 km/h acceleration and not measured top speed. Its city and highway consumption are also not measured, but combined consumption is measured at 10.1 l/100 km. That is 1.1 l/100 km less than the 2.4 AT’s 11.2 l/100 km combined figure.
For every 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 AT entry, acceleration, top speed, city consumption, highway consumption, and combined consumption are not measured. A Nissan Stanza mpg comparison cannot therefore be calculated for the earlier generations from the supplied figures.
Nissan Stanza dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for any listed version. Consequently, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated without inventing a weight figure. Wheel sizes are likewise not measured for every version.
| Generation and versions | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1985 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT | not measured | not measured | 170 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1986–1989 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT | not measured | not measured | 160 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1990–1992 2.4 MT, 2.4 AT | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 60 l | not measured |
The first generation provides the greatest measured clearance at 170 mm. The second generation gives up 10 mm, and the third gives up another 15 mm. The only measured tank capacity is 60 l for both 2.4 versions.
Nissan Stanza reliability and problems
Reliability records, fault rates, service intervals, repair costs, and recurring problems are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications can identify mechanical differences—such as Carburetor versus Distributed injection (multi-point), Manual versus Automatic, or 3 versus 4 or 5 gears—but they cannot establish that one version is more reliable than another. Any Nissan Stanza reliability verdict based solely on these figures would be unsupported.
Which Nissan Stanza version should you buy?
Choose the 2.4 MT if maximum listed power and the lower measured combined consumption are the priorities. Its 140 hp output matches the 2.4 AT, while its 10.1 l/100 km combined result is 1.1 l/100 km lower. It also has a 5-speed Manual gearbox rather than the Automatic model’s 4 gears. Its acceleration and top speed are not measured, however.
Choose the 2.4 AT if you want the strongest Automatic version and require measured performance figures. It provides 140 hp, 0–100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, a 198 km/h top speed, and a 60 l tank. The trade-off shown by the available data is 11.2 l/100 km combined consumption, compared with 10.1 l/100 km for the 2.4 MT.
Choose a 90 hp 1.8 MT or 90 hp 1.8 AT if you prefer the most powerful first-generation specification. These versions produce 2 hp more than the alternative 88 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT and use Distributed injection (multi-point) rather than a Carburetor. Choose between the exact 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT names by transmission: the Manual has 5 gears, while the Automatic has 3.
The 88 hp 1.8 MT and 88 hp 1.8 AT are the first-generation choices with measured torque: 142 Nm at 3200 rpm. They use Gasoline, 92, while the 90 hp 1.8 versions specify Gasoline, 95. No fuel-economy measurements are available to show whether either configuration consumes less.
Choose the 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT if you want the middle generation and its 94 hp output. These versions add 4 hp over the 90 hp first-generation 1.8 cars but have 10 mm less clearance. The Manual offers 5 gears; the Automatic offers 3.
Finally, choose the 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT if the smallest listed displacement is the deciding factor. Both make 82 hp from 1600 cc and retain the first generation’s 170 mm clearance. Their consumption, acceleration, top speed, torque, and tank capacity are not measured, so the data does not support claims that they are cheaper to run or more reliable. Sale prices, availability, and “for sale near me” listings are also not measured, and should be assessed separately from this specification-based comparison.