Following the Hyundai’s Kona’s debut unveiling last year, the Korean automaker’s B-segment SUV has arrived at the Singapore Motor Show, available with two turbocharged, direct-injected petrol engines : a 1.0 litre three-cylinder and a 1.6 litre four-pot. The Hyundai goes head-to-head with the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and the Toyota C-HR.

The base 1.0 litre turbo model produces 120 PS at 6,000 rpm and 172 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, sent to a six-speed manual transmission. Here, the 1.0 litre model employs MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam at the rear for suspension. Claimed performance figures are 0-100 km/h in 12 seconds, onwards to a top speed of 181 km/h. Brakes are ventilated discs in front and solid discs behind.


The 1.6 litre turbo version produces 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 265 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm, transmitted to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 1.6 litre turbo model uses the same front suspension setup, though notably with a multi-link configuration for the rear suspension. Zero to 100 km/h for the 1.6 litre turbo is done in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 205 km/h.

Rated fuel consumption for the 1.0 litre Kona is 5.4 litres per 100 km, while the 1.6 litre is rated at 6.7 litres per 100 km. The former weighs between 1,233 kg to 1,350 kg depending on equipment, while the latter tips the scales from 1,401 kg to 1,496 kg. Rolling stock for both the 1.0 litre and 1.6 litre Kona are a set of 17-inch alloys mounted with 215/55R17 tyres.


In overseas markets the Kona is also available with a 149 PS/179 Nm 2.0 litre MPI Atkinson cycle engine, and it remains to be seen if it will be offered on eventual Malaysian market cars when it arrives here by the second quarter of this year.