2001 Daewoo Nubira Review
Price Estimate: $380 - $633





+3
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Spunky motor, low price, free scheduled maintenance.
Cons
- Noisy motor, crappy tires, cheap interior bits.
What’s new
You can pick up a Daewoo Nubira with Diamond Blue Metallic paint. The sedan gets a new 14-inch standard wheel cover and the wagon has a fresh rear taillamp design.
Edmunds says
It's a cheap, good-looking car. But there are better choices in this price range -- our favorite is the Hyundai Elantra.
For sale near Columbus, OH
Vehicle overview
Nubira. Sounds like a cloud formation, but it's actually the name of one of the three cars from Daewoo. Nubira means "to go everywhere," and it's Daewoo's best shot at going anywhere in the fickle American marketplace.
The Nubira is available in two trim levels and body styles: SE sedan and CDX trim applied to either sedan or wagon formats. The base SE comes with a height-adjustable driver's seat, six-speaker sound system with cassette player and four-wheel disc brakes. The optional convenience package adds power windows, mirrors and locks, as well as remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel, a car alarm and fog lights.
Uplevel CDX trim includes a long list of additional standards, in addition to a loaded SE. Air conditioning, CD player, alloy wheels (that resemble a Cuisinart tool), cruise control, heated exterior mirrors and antilock brakes keep CDX buyers happy that they upgraded. Leather seats and a moonroof are optional on CDX. Wagons add a rear wiper and a roof rack. All Nubiras are covered by a scheduled maintenance policy, which takes care of oil changes, tire rotations and the like for the first year and 12,000 miles of ownership.
The sole engine choice for the Nubira is a GM-designed, Australian 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 129 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 136 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. This sprightly motor meets LEV standards. Mated to the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Nubira can reach 60 mph in less than 10 seconds, but acceleration is accompanied by plenty of engine racket. The optional automatic requires nearly 2 seconds more to reach expressway velocities.
Overall, the Nubira provides a pleasant ride and decent, if not downright sporty, handling as long as the driver isn't pushing the car for all it's worth. Body roll is kept to a minimum in slower turns, and steering is reasonably responsive if a bit numb. The factory tires, however, could certainly use upgrading, as could the rather weak brakes.
Surprisingly, there's plenty of room up front for legs, though rear legroom is severely compromised when the tallest of drivers has the seat moved all the way back in the track. Cabin materials could stand improvement, but at this price, they certainly meet the standard. New exterior colors, taillights (wagon only) and wheelcovers are the only changes for 2001.
The Nubira may be Daewoo's best shot at finding a niche in the crowded economy car market, despite the stiff competition in this segment. It's somewhat attractive, reasonably powerful, and can be loaded to the gills with equipment for a seductively low price. Now, if only buyers could haggle on the sticker a little at the dealership, Daewoo might have a chance at selling a substantial number of cars in the United States.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$159/mo for Nubira SE
Nubira SE
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Daewoo Nubira Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Decent car, several significant flaws
3.13 out of 5 starspjrcard, 03/15/2011
2001 Daewoo Nubira CDX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I bought the 2001 Daewoo Nubira CDX, auto, as a retired rental in 2003 with about 18,000 miles.
It now has 97,000.
In general I like it.
The design was sleak at the time and remains modern.
Sunroof was great on summer days.
Interior leather and design was nice and in general it's been a good drive.
But beware.
It has a few very significant flaws.
Many owners have reported problems with … control arms and ball joints due to a poor design.
I've had to replace the control arms 3 times now.
The emergency brake wears quickly.
Right rear power window doesn't work, right front very slow.
Paint chipping on door handles.
Good car to look at, and fun to drive, but has some serious issues.
Very Few Problems After 7 Years
4.38 out of 5 starsfahonsey, 08/04/2009
2001 Daewoo Nubira SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my 2001 Daewoo brand new off the lot and I still have it. I bought it because of the low price. There were a few recalls I've had fixed and I've had a sensor fixed on my automatic transmission because it wouldn't come out of park. They do have a problem with a weak front end when hitting potholes (You know how U.S. Highways are) and the controller arms had to be replaced. The … dealer has great mechanics and they tell me what to look for in certain parts that might go out like the timing chain after about 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance like the manual has in it has kept the engine running perfectly. It's been a real bargain for me.
Nightmare
1.88 out of 5 stars hellofacar, 11/12/2010
2001 Daewoo Nubira SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
This car, I've made the mistake to buy it used, from a friend, with a 106,000 miles. After 6 months of use, it had become a nightmare, soon after the timing belt broke on it, no matter how good I've tried to maintain it. Worse, the whole car got the lower control replaced, but problem still not solved. I hated the car and heaven only blesses those who still own one in their garage. I'm … also happy they don't make them anymore, and would not recommend anyone. I should have given it for charity, but preferred to scrap it instead. Don't buy this car please .
Love it
4.25 out of 5 starsThe Nubira, 01/25/2010
2001 Daewoo Nubira SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Had car for 5 years. Engine and tranny have never given any problems 100,000 miles still going strong. Only complaints are the ac goes in and out (Just a short i am sure) and the control arm bushings need replaced anywhere from 30k-80k. Payed $350 for driver side bushing and alignment. Replaced the passenger bushing myself in a weekend for $35. Part shipped fast from Daewoo. Easy fix for … the do it yourselfer. The way the suspension is designed there is great stress on the bushings. They need replaced just like tires. But because of that design this car handles and rides very very nice. I am still amazed how nice it is when i drive it. Love the Daewoo!
2001 Nubira Highlights
Sedan
SE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $11,699 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $159/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Nubira include:
- Alarm
Related Used 2001 Daewoo Nubira info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Chevrolet Corvette 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz SLC Class 2020 Review
- Land Rover Discovery 2021 Review
- BMW M5 2020 Review
- Nissan Versa 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Automatic Honda Fit
- BMW Electric Car I3
- Lexus NX 300H Awd
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2018
- Used Acura ILX 2020 For Sale
- Used Acura ILX 2023
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2015
- Used Acura Integra 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2026 Honda Ridgeline News
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 2025
- 2025 Macan
- New BMW 4 Series
- Alfa Romeo Giulia 2024
- New Nissan Altima
- 2025 Transit Passenger Van
- 2026 F-PACE
- 2025 Range Rover
- 2024 3 Series
Other models
- Used Cadillac Eldorado in Lincoln Park, MI 2002
- Used Aston-Martin DBX707 in Burlington, VT 2024
- Used Acura Ilx-Hybrid in Smyrna, DE 2014
- New Lincoln Aviator for Sale in Belvidere, IL
- Used Jaguar Xe in Washington, DC 2020
- Used Ford F-150-Svt-Lightning in Virginia Beach, VA 2000
- Used Buick Lucerne in Clarksville, TN 2011
- Used BMW X3-M in Cookeville, TN 2024
- Used Cadillac Eldorado in Middletown, OH 2002
- Used Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Norwalk, CA 2025