1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Daewoo Nubira
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Engine noise
- Automatic-transmission performance
- Rear-seat entry/exit
Vehicle Highlights
Falling squarely in the middle of Daewoo's three-car lineup, the Nubira was a relative large front-drive subcompact. Somewhat bigger and more powerful than the entry-level Lanos, it was smaller than the "flagship" Leganza sedan. Rivals included the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, Toyota Echo, and Chevrolet Prizm. Initially, Nubiras came in three body styles: four-door sedan, four-door hatchback, and four-door station wagon. The hatchback would last only a single season. Sole engine was a 2.0-liter, dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder, mated to either a manual gearbox or optional automatic transmission. The Nubira CDX was unusual for its class, with standard antilock braking (optional in the SX). Daewoo was the third South Korean automaker to enter the U.S. market, trailing Hyundai and Kia. Rather than starting with regular dealerships, Daewoo initially recruited teams of students to promote the car on college campuses. As that program was found wanting, conventional dealerships began to spring up around the country. Buyers got a roadside assistance program as part of their new-Nubira purchase.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Deawoo Nubira CDX 4-door wagon Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 40 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira.
Year to Year Changes
2000 Daewoo Nubira:
Hatchbacks were gone, leaving only an SE sedan, along with a sedan and wagon in upscale CDX guise. Although more Daewoo dealerships were emerging, the South Korean company was facing serious financial troubles--bad enough to prompt consideration of a possible takeover by one of the Big Three automakers.
2001 Daewoo Nubira:
Nubira wagons got revised taillamps this year. All Nubiras switched from handwheel-type front backrest recliners to a ratcheting lever adjustment setup. An optional convenience package could upgrade the SE sedan to CDX features, including power windows and locks, a tilt steering wheel, CD/cassette stereo, foglamps, and a keyless entry/alarm system. Antilock braking again was standard in the CDX, but unavailable for the SE. Although the increasingly suffering Daewoo company continued to ship cars to the U.S. market, financial woes were mounting rapidly back in South Korea. Prospective purchasers emerged, then backed away, and Daewoo's ultimate fate seemed dubious.
2002 Daewoo Nubira:
Antilock braking no longer was available as the 2002 model year began. The lineup included an SE sedan and upscale CDX wagon. Cutting the CDX price by $1,200 meant losing its ABS, cruise control, CD player, keyless entry, foglamps, theft-deterrent system, and alloy wheels. All of those items, except for ABS, were offered as an option package. In spring 2002, General Motors bought a big share of the assets of the Daewoo organization--but not its sales arm in the U.S. That move left Daewoo dealers hanging in the wind, selling only leftover cars with no new models on the way. Owners, meanwhile, remained unsure how their vehicles would be repaired under warranty.
Our road test for the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Ranking as a midpack performer in every way, the Nubira seems to have several personalities. Some examples behave nicely, while others deliver more annoyance than driving pleasure. Considering its origins, though, the Nubira is generally a surprisingly pleasant and capable small car. As for acceleration, a CDX wagon with automatic ambled to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds, averaging about 20 mpg in hard driving. Neither figure is great, but both are passable. The ride is fairly supple, turning choppy only when the pavement gets rough. Handling is front-drive safe, if ordinary, though with some body roll evident. Braking is competitive if ABS is installed, with fine "panic" braking prowess. Nubira's automatic transmission sometimes shifts with a lurch. The manual gearbox can be balky and uncertain, seemingly mismatched to a mediocre-acting clutch. The coarse-sounding engine gets loud when pushed and its noise intrudes even in gentle driving. For its exterior dimensions, the Nubira is pretty roomy inside. Two medium-sized adults should not feel cramped in back, at least on shorter trips. Gauges and switches are mostly handy and legible, but audio controls could be more convenient. Workmanship is generally good--in line with the Nubira's moderate new-car price, if spoiled by a few second-rate details. Interior ambience comes across as discount-store level rather than designer-inspired.
Value for the Money
Overall, the Nubira is an average subcompact from a company whose future is in grave doubt. Buy one only with great caution, and only if the price is truly hard to pass up. Daewoo resale values were low even before the big financial ills loomed, so finding a low-priced example shouldn't be difficult. Still, it would be wiser to pay a few dollars more for an alternative model, such as the impressive Ford Focus.
Overall, the Nubira is an average subcompact from a company whose future is in grave doubt. Buy one only with great caution, and only if the price is truly hard to pass up. Daewoo resale values were low even before the big financial ills loomed, so finding a low-priced example shouldn't be difficult. Still, it would be wiser to pay a few dollars more for an alternative model, such as the impressive Ford Focus.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Deawoo Nubira CDX 4-door wagon Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 40 |
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.
Our reliability study for this generation Daewoo Nubira includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Daewoo Nubira .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Brakes:
Water can enter the parking brake cables and freeze in cold weather rendering the parking brakes inoperative unless rubber boots are installed on the cable ends. (1999-2000)
Check-engine light:
Crankshaft position sensor fails causing check-engine light and drivability problems. (1999-2002)
Fuel gauge:
Incorrect fuel gauge readings are caused by a defective resistor card in the fuel sender. (2001-02)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $405 |
| Alternator | $535 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $690 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $395 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $810 |
| Exhaust System | $210 |
| Radiator | $160 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,000 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $210 |
Our price chart for this generation Daewoo Nubira details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2002 | |||
| Nubira CDX | $2,300-2,800 | $1,700-2,000 | $400-500 |
| Nubira SE | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 2001 | |||
| Nubira CDX | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
| Nubira SE | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
| 2000 | |||
| Nubira CDX | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| Nubira SE | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1999 | |||
| Nubira CDX | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| Nubira SX | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Daewoo Nubira include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door hatchback | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 101.2 | 101.2 | 101.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 167.2 | 175.4 | 177.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.9 | 66.9 | 66.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.1 | 56.1 | 56.4 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2546 | 2566 | 2694 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.3 | 13.1 | 19.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.7 | 13.7 | 13.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | 41.9 | 41.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.0 | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.7 | 34.7 | 34.7 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A dual-overhead-cam, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 129 horsepower, propelled all Nubiras. Either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic could be installed.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 122 | 129 | 136 | 5-speed manual: 22/31 4-speed automatic: 22/30 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Daewoo Nubira include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1999-2002 Daewoo Nubira directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1998-02:
Camshaft position sensor on some engines may melt, resulting in burning smell and visible smoke that could lead to melting of camshaft cover and wire harness, possibly causing underhood fire.
2000-02:
A crack in the front brake hose could become a rupture and allow leakage of brake fluid.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
