Daewoo Matiz

Apart from the Leganza at the other end of the model range, Matiz is the only Daewoo currently with some style. And it is a neat-looking and reasonable handling small car contender, with decent room for four people, but the 800cc 3-cylinder engine has it puffing hard to make a Trabantic 17sec 0-62mph. Without the other three people on board. A pity, because with more perk it would be likely to be a more popular suburban shopping trolley. That said, it has been a success here for the marque, and we would say deserves every unit sold. New ownership by GM may bring new life both to the cars and the company, whose tribulations over recent years have no doubt given potential buyers cause to be anxious. Stars: 2.5

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Daewoo Matiz is helping new marque to do the business (May 99) - Brian Byrne

Daewoo Lanos

This 3-, 4, and 5-door offering is offering budget prices in the 1.4-litre segment, but really has its work cut out to manage a serious impact even with low prices. There’s too much competition here which has better materials, more style, younger mechanicals and a more credible pedigree, and until GM makes whatever decisions it does when the takeover of the Korean company is complete, it will languish under the shadow of the likes of the Hyundai Accent. If money is extremely short, and size does matter, then it has a place. But pride in ownership will probably not be an issue. Oh, and if you;ve got short legs, do take the car for an extended drive before you buy ... there’s something about the angle of the accelerator that doesn’t suit everybody. Stars: 2

Daewoo Nubira

A rather more stylish mid-sizer from Daewoo, which suffers from some lack of imagination in choice of interior materials. But the specification isn’t bad, and you have a choice of either saloon or estate, the latter cheaper because it comes less highly specified. The 1.6-litre engine wouldn’t be the world’s smoothest, but it is, from all reports, reliable. There’s an argument that the size slot between Focus and Mondeo excuses the highish price for the car, but we’re not sure that would stand Jesuitic investigation. This is supposed to be around 120 words, but there’s nothing more to say, really. Yes, really. And now, perhaps, I think, I’ve made my quota. Well, close to it anyway. Stars: 2

Daewoo Tacuma

Quite the most modern Daewoo on the market, a compact MPV with curvaceous styling and pretty decent interior. It is targeted at the Scenic and its likes, and while it might not have the flair of that Original of the Species, it is nevertheless pulling creditable plaudits from our colleagues and customers alike. Available here with either 1.6- or 2-litre engines, the grand or so extra for the latter, with higher-level goodies included, makes it probably the better value. Just goes to show that Daewoo is not as dead as some of us thought, and that when the Resurrection comes there will be likely new life as well as reheated old. In the meantime, nobody’s going to shake their head in sympathy if they see you driving this one. Stars: 3.5

Daewoo Leganza

Daewoo’s Irish importers have seen the light in their marketplace and now only provide the top-spec, including leather, in this quite stylish and nice-to-drive larger car. The design is Italian, and good, and there’s adequate accommodation for all occupants, who will also appreciate the smooth and controlled ride of a car that might well have been a small Jaguar - for that is what the original design was for. Only a 2-litre engine, but a good one, and with the car coming in just under the £20,000 benchmark, it represents good value for the money. It is the Daewoo we would, and did, drive with satisfaction. And drove it a long way without feeling tired or uncomfortable. Stars: 3.5

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Daewoo's Leganza is cheaper than it deserves to be (Jun 99) - Brian Byrne

Daewoo Leganza is definitely for this girl (Jun 00) - Trish Whelan.

Daewoo Korando

Formerly the Ssang Yong company’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler, brought up to date in style and comfort and a very capable on- and off-roader. When Daewoo bought out the struggling SsY company before it began to struggle itself, it gained a good vehicle, but we’ve not seen that many sold here with the new front end. Which is maybe why the Ssang Yong badge is going to reappear in Europe, as the Daewoo financial morass of the past year resulted in a re-buying of the name and its products by its original managers and creditors. The engine is Mercedes-developed and strong without being speedy, and the actual style is quite 21st century. It was developed for the Korean military, so it is tough too. Stars: 3

Daewoo Musso

This largish SUV sold well enough here when it too sported its original Ssang Yong badge. We never could reconcile the fact that its oddball styling came from an Englishman based in the UK, but we supposed it was bespoke to Korean tastes. It is quite comfortable, and uses the same engine as the Korando, with the same comments on pedigree and characteristics. Also likely to get its original nose back in Europe, though whether it can really compete with today’s much-enhanced generation of large off-roaders is uncertain. Perhaps a vehicle for those who like to be different? Though there are too many around painted in a well-known telecom’s purple, and we wouldn’t want to be THAT different. Stars: 2.5

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