The Daewoo Lanos was a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motor from 1997 to 2002, and from 1997 to 2008 made under a license agreement by the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) in Poland, marketed as FSO Lanos, and assembled in Ukraine in modified versions known as Daewoo Sens and Chevrolet Lanos.
For a brief period, it was also assembled by TagAZ in Russia, marketed as Doninvest Assol. The Lanos was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured three body styles - 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks and a 4-door sedan. Lanos was designed to replace Daewoo Nexia in the Daewoo lineup and was itself replaced by Daewoo Kalos.
The cars were equipped with GM Family 1 D-TEC I4 engines ranging from 1.5 L (1549 cc) SOHC to 1.6 L (1598 cc) DOHC. In the UK and many countries of Europe (like Italy, France or Austria) there are also E-TEC models 1.4 (1349 cc) and 1.6 (1598 cc). The suspension is built upon that of a Daewoo Nexia, as used in Vauxhall/Opel Astra Mk2 GTE.
The four models available were S, SE, SE Plus, SX, and later, the SPORT model. The S was the base model and did not include many standard features (like a CD player or power windows). The SE was just a small step up from the S base model. However, the SX model usually included a CD, radio, and cassette player along with power windows, a power side mirror, and fog lights. A few select SX models even came with a sun-roof though not many did. In the Lanos's later years, the SE and SX models were dropped and replaced with a new trim line called the SPORT (2001–2002). The SPORT included several features similar to the SX, but also included red/black leather seats, and a metallic silver dash trim. Also, the SPORT model had window controls located on the doors rather than the center console (like in the previous trim lines).
In Australia, the 1997-2003 Daewoo Lanos was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.
Europe: models received the following European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) 1998.
In crash tests conducted by ANCAP in 1998 to EuroNCAP regulations RHD Lanos 3dr hatchback showed poor performance, scoring 0.31 out of 16 in offset front crash test and 6.98 of 16 in side impact test.
Russian magazine Autoreview tested LHD Chevrolet Lanos T150 sedan built by ZAZ in 2006. It scored 10.5 of 16 points in offset front crash test.
Check out expert reviews for a new or used Daewoo Lanos. Our in-depth reviews for the new Daewoo Lanos provide current pricing and safety information, as well as detailed comments from our road testers. Our reviews for a used Daewoo Lanos include detailed road-test ratings and recall notifications. Yearly changes and repair costs are all included to help you decide if a used Daewoo Lanos will fit your needs.