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Photo of a Daewoo Lanos

Daewoo Lanos

Giugiaro's small-car globetrotter: 150 prototypes before production, licensed builds through 2020.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 26 sources

Also called

  • People's carUkrainian label; Lanos and Sens together sold 364,000 cars there in 2000–2016, one in ten new-car sales.3
  • zdrapkaLabel for several thousand 1999 cars with peeling paint; Daewoo offered repainting or replacement.4

At a glance

0100200
74–105 hpPower
07.515
11–12.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
140–180 km/hTop speed
0150300
130–145 N·mTorque
07501,500
990–1,177 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2912131415

Engine
Lanos: 1.4/1.5 L 8V, 1.5/1.6 L 16V gasoline I4; Sens: 1.3 L1112
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive2
Gearbox
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, depending on version2
Built at
Bupyeong, South Korea; FSO Warsaw, Poland; AvtoZAZ Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine2

The story

Conceived after Daewoo's split with General Motors, the Lanos was its independent bid to replace the Nexia. Development began in autumn 1993, Giugiaro's proposal won, and 150 prototypes were built by the end of 1995.12

1997: Poland buys over 30,000 in year one19971998: Euro NCAP strikes through star three19981999: Daewoo's US bid begins · Series II revises the suspension19992000: Poland's 221-car Lanos Sport20002004: ZAZ starts full-scale T-150 production20042017: Lanos passenger cars stop at ZAZ20172020: Egypt carries production into 20202020 Opel Kadett E (E): 1984–1998EDaewoo LeMans: 1986–1997 (South Korea)Daewoo LeMansDaewoo Cielo / Nexia: 1994–2016Daewoo Cielo / NexiaDaewoo Lanos (T100 / T150): 1996–2020T100 / T150 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones22021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1984–1998Opel Kadett E (E)
1986–1997 (South Korea)Daewoo LeMans
1994–2016Daewoo Cielo / Nexia
1996–2020Daewoo Lanos (T100 / T150)
1997Poland buys over 30,000 in year one
1998Euro NCAP strikes through star three
1999Daewoo's US bid begins
1999Series II revises the suspension
2000Poland's 221-car Lanos Sport
2004ZAZ starts full-scale T-150 production
2017Lanos passenger cars stop at ZAZ
2020Egypt carries production into 2020
  1. 1997

    Poland buys over 30,000 in year one

    European production began as Poland embraced the Lanos: over 30,000 first-year sales, helped by keen prices, three-year warranties and free servicing.24

  2. 1998

    Euro NCAP strikes through star three

    The third star was struck through for excessive side-impact chest risk. EU 1998 cars had driver airbags; safety equipment differed across versions.25

  3. 1999

    Daewoo's US bid begins

    The Lanos arrived in the US alongside the Nubira and Leganza; all three were sold there from 1999 through 2002.6

  4. 1999

    Series II revises the suspension

    The Series II update revised the suspension and power steering while cutting noise, vibration and harshness.78

  5. 2000

    Poland's 221-car Lanos Sport

    The T150 restyle brought the Polish Sport, launched at Poznań Motor Show as a styling package; only 221 were sold there.9

  6. 2004

    ZAZ starts full-scale T-150 production

    On December 6, ZAZ began serial T-150 production after an October pilot batch; the new and modernized facilities were designed for 60,000 cars a year.10

  7. 2017

    Lanos passenger cars stop at ZAZ

    ZAZ stopped passenger-car assembly on November 29, ending the Lanos's Ukrainian passenger-car run.2

  8. 2020

    Egypt carries production into 2020

    Egypt's 1998–2020 run extended the Lanos's global life, which included kit assembly and licensed production in several countries.2

Every generation

  • Opel Kadett E
    E1984–1998
  • Daewoo LeMans
    Daewoo LeMans1986–1997 (South Korea)
  • Daewoo Cielo / Nexia
    Daewoo Cielo / Nexia1994–2016
  • Daewoo Lanos
    T100 / T1501996–2020
  • Daewoo Kalos
    Daewoo Kalos

Power over the years

From 84 hp to 105 hp in 2 years.

050100150 1996199820002002 hp 1997 · 84 hp · 1.5 SE (Australia)1999 · 105 hp · Series II Sport 1.62002 · 105 hp · 2002 Lanos 1.6 105 hp Series II Sport 1.6 84 hp 1.5 SE (Australia)
781316
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1997841.5 SE (Australia)
1999105Series II Sport 1.6
20021052002 Lanos 1.6

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • SE 3-door (Australia)

    Standard

    SE 3-door (Australia)

    84 hp
  • FSO Lanos (Poland)

    Standard

    FSO Lanos (Poland)

    2005–2008

  • Daewoo Sens

    Standard

    Daewoo Sens

  • ZAZ Chance

    Standard

    ZAZ Chance

    2009–2013

  • Performance

    SX (Australia)

    105 hp
  • Sport 1.6 (Australia)

    Performance

    Sport 1.6 (Australia)

    105 hp
  • LE (Australia)

    Limited

    LE (Australia)

  • X / SE Limited Edition

    Limited

    X / SE Limited Edition

    2000 / 2002

    84 hp

  • Special

    Sport 3-door (Poland)

    2000

    105 hp

    221 built

  • Special

    Cabriolet concept

    1996

How to spot one

Look for

  • Rounded bodywork, big headlights and a large chrome grille identify Daewoo-badged cars.419
  • Body choices are three- and five-door hatchbacks plus a four-door sedan.2

Year by year

  1. 1999–2000 (T100 to T150)

    T150 updates revise the nose and give the sedan more upright taillights; South Korea launched Lanos II in April 2000.2

  2. Late 2000 (Egypt)

    Lanos II gained a new front bumper and grille; the sedan's rear was redesigned, while Juliet received new rear lamps and a bumper.2

  3. 2001–2002

    Rear fog and reversing lamps sit on opposite sides; left- and right-hand-drive versions use different lamp layouts.2

  4. Early 2002 (Series II)

    New grille, taillights and bumpers mark the second Series II refresh; the late-1999 trim changes were subtler.7

  5. 2005–2008 (Poland)

    Polish production changed to the FSO name but kept the original pre-facelift exterior through 2008.2

  6. 1998–2009 (Russia)

    Russia used Doninvest Assol in 1998–2000, Chevrolet Lanos from November 2005 and ZAZ Chance from July 2009.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Daewoo Lanos
    Lanos
    Photo of a Hyundai Excel
    Hyundai Excel

    Hyundai Excel

    The shapes are close; check for the Lanos's large chrome grille and big headlights.819

Against its rivals

  • Mégane 1.6 16v

    Lanos vs Mégane 1.6 16v

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Lanos12.5 s
    Mégane 1.6 16v9.8 s
    14

Prices

Value today $1.2K–$1.7K16

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $1,200–$1,700 2000 · $8,669 · US base 3-door hatch2000 · $9,449 · US sedan2002 · $10,644 · US S hatchback2002 · $11,544 · US S sedan2002 · $13,494 · US Sport hatchback 2000 · $8,669 · US base hatchback, 2000 model year 2025 · $325 · 2001 S, 84,181 mi; clean title; dents/scratches, Copart (before fees)2026 · $500 · 2002 S, 61,590 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees)2026 · $175 · 2001 Sport, 107,991 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees)2026 · $325 · 2001 S, 152,479 mi; clean title; front damage, IAAI Buy Now (plus fees)2026 · $300 · 2001 S, 116,945 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees) $500.0 IAAI (before fees), 2026
61626
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2000Launch price$8,669US base hatchback, 2000 model year
2000Price when new$8,669US base 3-door hatch
2000Price when new$9,449US sedan
2002Price when new$10,644US S hatchback
2002Price when new$11,544US S sedan
2002Price when new$13,494US Sport hatchback
2025Auction sale$3252001 S, 84,181 mi; clean title; dents/scratches, Copart (before fees)
2026Auction sale$5002002 S, 61,590 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees)
2026Auction sale$1752001 Sport, 107,991 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees)
2026Auction sale$3252001 S, 152,479 mi; clean title; front damage, IAAI Buy Now (plus fees)
2026Auction sale$3002001 S, 116,945 mi; clean title; normal wear, IAAI (before fees)
2026Value today$1,200–$1,700

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “364,000 sales: one in ten new cars”
    • “Homologation 5581 covered Groups A and N”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Lanos - Notchback - Giorgetto & Fabrizio Giugiaro Designers giorgettofabriziogiugiaro.it
  2. Daewoo Lanos - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. В Україні більше не випускатимуть Lanos. Що пішло не так в історії "народного авто" espreso.tv
  4. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008) • AutoCentrum.pl autocentrum.pl
  5. Crashtest - Detailergebnisse für Daewoo Lanos oeamtc.at
  6. Junkyard Gem: 2000 Daewoo Lanos Hatchback - Autoblog autoblog.com
  7. Daewoo Lanos Used Car Research & History | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  8. Daewoo Lanos Sport 3-dr hatch Reviews | Our Opinion | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  9. Daewoo Lanos Sport – koreański pozer muzeumskarbnarodu.pl
  10. ZAZ (News, events and sport) web.archive.org
  11. Używane Daewoo Lanos - typowe awarie i problemy autokult.pl
  12. Чем отличается Daewoo Sens от Lanos – останні автоновини на Автоцентр.ua autocentre.ua
  13. Daewoo Lanos Used Car Research & History | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  14. Daewoo Lanos 1.5 SX 5p autopista.es
  15. Używane Daewoo Lanos (1997-2008) - Motoryzacja w INTERIA.PL motoryzacja.interia.pl
  16. 2002 Daewoo Lanos Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  17. Lada Granta, Renault Logan, ZAZ Chance: не переключайтесь! zr.ru
  18. Daewoo zrobiło Lanosa z kabrioletu, a potem kabriolet z Lanosa. To który jest synem kogo? autoblog.spidersweb.pl
  19. Daewoo Lanos SE 3-dr hatch Reviews | Our Opinion | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  20. Opel Kadett E - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Daewoo LeMans - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Ulrich Bez - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Lanos | FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  24. Drugi sezon Lanosa - Auto Świat auto-swiat.pl
  25. Ford Didn't Want The Fiesta Featured In A Movie That Made Over $100 Million | Carscoops carscoops.com
  26. 2001 Daewoo Lanos S KLATA22671B647869 Auction History & Final Bid finalbid.vin
  • giorgettofabriziogiugiaro.it
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • espreso.tv
  • autocentrum.pl
  • oeamtc.at
  • autoblog.com
  • goauto.com.au
  • muzeumskarbnarodu.pl
  • web.archive.org
  • autokult.pl
  • autocentre.ua
  • autopista.es
  • motoryzacja.interia.pl
  • kbb.com

Photo credits

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