Our road test for the 1999-2002 Daewoo Lanos includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the
1999-2002 Daewoo Lanos and highlighted the vehicle's performance
with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation
1999-2002 Daewoo Lanos is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Crude, loud, and coarse, the little Lanos is something of a throwback to imported cars of an earlier era. In comparison, the Korean-built Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio come across as civilized and refined. So do a host of Japanese- and American-brand small cars that cost more, but deliver a far greater level of quality and confidence. Falling well short of the competition in acceleration and quietness, the Lanos can nevertheless be almost fun to drive--but in the older-import sense, not the modern mode. Performance is at least passable with manual shift, and it gets around town well enough, but this is not a great choice for long highway drives. The automatic transmission can behave in a jumpy manner at times. Lack of available antilock braking in 2001-02 models is another drawback. Rear-seat room is more limited than in some competitors, true, but it's actually rather spacious when you consider the Lanos's exterior dimensions. Interior details are on the bargain-basement level. Still, the biggest disadvantage of buying a Daewoo is the highly uncertain future for the remaining dealerships. As of mid-2002, no one is sure where, or how, the existing cars will be serviced.
Value for the Money
Though seemingly quite affordable, the Lanos isn't really all that cheap for a car that ranks only average in most respects--and disappointing in several major areas. It's definitely not a wise entry-level buy, especially since Kia and Hyundai rivals are better developed and more appealing, and came with much longer, more comprehensive warranties. We'd opt for one of those, or for a Japanese or American alternative that offers superior refinement and customer support, for a little more money. A Ford Escort or Dodge Neon, for instance, offers superior refinement and customer support.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category |
Daewoo Lanos S sedan Rating |
|
Performance |
2 |
|
Fuel Economy |
6 |
|
Ride Quality |
3 |
|
Steering/Handling/Braking |
2 |
|
Quietness |
3 |
|
Controls/Materials |
6 |
|
Interior Room |
4 |
|
Room/Comfort (rear) |
3 |
|
Cargo Capacity |
2 |
|
Value within Class |
1 |
| Total Score: |
32 |
|
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.