1999-2002 Daewoo Lanos: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Lanos is the smallest member of the trio of passenger cars that emerged in 1999 from Daewoo, the third South Korean automaker to enter the U.S. market. The front-drive subcompact came as a two-door hatchback or four-door sedan, in S, SE, and top-of-the-line SX trim. Main rival was the similar-sized Hyundai Accent, also produced in Korea, but Lanos models also competed against the Dodge/Plymouth Neon, Ford Focus, Ford Escort/ZX2, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, and Toyota Echo. All versions used a 1.6-liter, dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine, offered with five-speed manual shift or an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Antilock braking was optional, except on base S models. Standard equipment included cloth front bucket seats, a split folding rear seat, cassette stereo system, rear defogger, tachometer, intermittent wipers, and 185/60R14 tires. Hatchbacks had a rear wiper/washer. The midrange SE edition added a power right-hand mirror, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, and a theft-deterrent system. Topping the trio, the SX came with air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, cassette/CD stereo, foglights, alloy wheels, and the option of a power sunroof. At first, Daewoo recruited teams of students to promote the car on college campuses. Before long, though, conventional dealerships began to spring up around the country, Buyers got a roadside assistance program as part of the purchase.