Fast Facts: Hyundai Kona Launched in Malaysia

First seen in KLIMS 2018, the Hyundai Kona is finally available in Malaysia. 3 variants are available at launch - 2.0, 2.0 Active, and 1.6 Turbo. For obvious reasons, this fully-imported SUV can now be had for a special introductory price with an RM8,000 reduction across the board. 

What’s Outside?

Conventionally, the headlamps are the ‘eyes’ of the car. More often than not, it’s a prominent fixture on the face of the car. However, the headlamps of the Kona sit below a pair of thin positioning lights, with its presence reduced further with grey surrounds. 

Standard exterior items across the range are: 

• Daytime Running Lights

• Automatic Headlamps 

• Keyless Entry 

• Auto-folding Side Mirrors 

The 2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo take it up a notch with 

• Bi-Beam LED
• Front and rear fog lamps 
• LED combination tail lights 
• 18-inch wheels 

However it’s only the 1.6 Turbo model that gets a dual-tone exterior and roof rack.

What’s Inside? Bar for some contrasting trim pieces, the interior of the Kona is decidedly more conventional than its funky exterior. The standard variant comes with fabric upholstery while the 1.6 Turbo is finished in full leather, the mid-spec 2.0 Active is finished in both leather and fabric. For the asking price, the Kona has pretty comprehensive kit:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• 6 Speakers 

• Multi-function steering wheel 

• Automatic headlamp (auto high-beam on the 1.6 Turbo) 

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System 

• 2 USB Ports 

• Reverse Camera

• Cruise Control

The 2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo has more kit in the form of:

• 8-way powered driver seat with 2-way lumbar adjustment

• 4.2-inch TFT LCD multi-information display

• Single-zone automatic air conditioning

• Head-up display

Only the top-spec 1.6 Turbo has more kit in the form of 

• Auto stop-start

• Wireless charging pad 

• Electronic chromatic rear view mirror 

How Fast?

Despite the inroads that Hyundai has been making with electrification, both variants offered by HDSM by the time of launch are ICE units. 

2.0 and 2.0 Active

• Engine: 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder

• Transmission: 6-speed automatic

• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive

• Horsepower: 149 hp

• Torque: 180 Nm

• 0 to 100 km/h: 10 seconds

1.6 Turbo

• Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder

• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission

• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive

• Horsepower: 177 hp

• Torque: 265 Nm

• 0 to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds

How Safe?

All variants are equipped with 

• 6 airbags

• Electronic stability control

• Vehicle stability management 

• Traction Control 

• Hill-start assist 

• Hill descent control 

• 2 ISOFIX child seat points 

Additional on the 2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo get

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 

• Blind Spot Monitoring System 

However, Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of safety equipment is only available on the 1.6 Turbo variant, it includes:

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane keeping assist

• Forward collision warning

• Autonomous emergency braking

How Much?

The 3 variants are available at launch - 2.0, 2.0 Active, and 1.6 Turbo are respectively priced at RM123,888. RM138,888 and RM151,888. Prices are exclusive of insurance and inclusive of sales tax exemption, which is applicable until 31 December 2020.