Review Car

2011 Daewoo Lanos

The 2011 Daewoo Lanos is a fun filled car to drive and is very reliable. If it weren’t for the vertical chrome Infiniti-like grille, you’d have a difficult time telling this car from a Toyota Corolla. But, 2011 Daewoo Lanos’ 1.6-liter, 105-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine is a tad noisier than any Toyota 4-cylinder when moving off the line. Though only 105 h.p. no driver can have complaints about power when leaving the light. There is preconceived notion that Lanos would be a ’98 version of the LeMans, meaning no-frills transportation. The only similarity between Lanos and LeMans is stiff seats with small side bolsters that don’t offer a lot of lateral support.

The 2011 Daewoo Lanos differs from LeMans in that it is attractive on the outside (thick body side moldings offer good body-panel protection) and very roomy and well appointed on the inside. In the Lanos you can slip into the back seat and find sufficient room for two adults.

Those two adults better have shorter than normal legs and be prepared to sit with torso reclined so as not to knock the noggin on the rear window glass, but it was a chore that can be done. The only problem with the back seat is that the back doors don’t open real wide to allow for easier entry and exit. That can be remedied. The trunk is spacious, and the rear seat backs fold as one or separately for more cargo room. Up front there is ample room. Another problem with the seats is that the designer apparently overdosed on U.S. fashion magazines. The cloth seats are multi-colored–blue, red, yellow and white–with a variety of novel designs. The rather fashionable bottle blonde who nukes our daily nourishment took one look and said, “Ick.” An “ick” wouldn’t force Armani to change careers, but in the world of automotive haute couture, it should give pause for second thought. Lanos is built on a 99-inch wheelbase and is 167 inches long in four-door version, 160 inches in three-door hatchback. In The 2011 Daewoo Lanos Standard equipment includes power steering, dual air bags, 5-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension. AM/FM stereo with cassette, central locking doors, power windows, driver-side manual/passenger-side power mirror. In The 2011 Daewoo Lanos optional equipment will include anti-lock brakes (on SE and SX), remote keyless entry, 4-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, air conditioning (SE and SX only) and power sunroof (SX only).