REVIEW: 2020 Hyundai Kona in Malaysia – fr RM115k

Things are really heating up in the B-segment SUV scene in Malaysia. Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) will be launching the Hyundai Kona on October 30, with three variants on offer. The range starts with the base 2.0 Standard, followed by the 2.0 Mid and the range-topping 1.6 T-GDI High, while pricing starts from RM115,000.

It may be at a price disadvantage when compared directly against the new Proton X50, but the fully imported Kona should be priced more competitively against the Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-3. Both Japanese cars are CBU models. Other established rivals include the Honda HR-V, Subaru XV and upcoming Kia Seltos (CBU India).

We tried our hands at both the Kona’s powerplants, the entry-level version being the naturally-aspirated 2.0 litre Nu MPI engine with 149 PS and 179 Nm of torque, while the top model gets a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-potter with 177 PS and 265 Nm of torque. The 2.0L model gets a six-speed automatic gearbox, whereas the blown mill is equipped with a Hyundai seven-speed dual-clutch unit. All three variants are front-wheel drive.

For equipment, the range-topping Kona gets projector LED headlamps, LED tail lights, eight-way powered driver’s seat, automatic air-conditioning, a head-up display, a seven-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and six airbags (all variants). There’s also Hyundai SmartSense, with features such as AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and high beam assist.

GALLERY: 2020 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI Mid

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • EXTERIOR DEFINITELY MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN X50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 8
    • Troll Hunter on Oct 27, 2020 at 5:07 pm

      Perhaps…. but interior pales in comparison. Boring as hell and the gadgets inside far far poorer. For the money, X50 has more value.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
      • Henry on Oct 27, 2020 at 7:08 pm

        I knew some1 will say that RM100k mitsu Expander is a better buy, but well its quite true

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • X70 and HRV killer on Oct 27, 2020 at 6:30 pm

      Go for it. It is a nice suv, solid and premium fell

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • suomynona on Oct 27, 2020 at 6:55 pm

      Calm down with your caps bro, haha

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • X50 are better & cheaper with better build quality & tech. Booby Ang from Aurizn/Evo Malaysia said X50 is upgrade from BMW X1.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 23
  • azrai on Oct 27, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    DOA Dead on arrival

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Raja Kamarul on Oct 27, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    Must say that Hyundai’s design language is really nice now. They don’t typically play it safe but this one (and the new Sonata) has a flair in the funkiness. Good left-field choice for those that don’t want their car to be cooki cutter….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Calvin on Oct 27, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      Good for those who don’t want the obvious choice that got launched today, but with more money than sense.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • anonimus on Oct 27, 2020 at 7:41 pm

      hyundai seem to spend 99% of their design budget on the exterior and the balance 1% on the interior

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • applegreen on Oct 27, 2020 at 9:21 pm

    Saw a few konas early august at oasis autonexus, because of late launching HSDM lose a lot of customers already eyeing X50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Ideally, this should have been launched in 2018/2019, just before or after the release of Avengers: Endgame. Looks would help in sales esp given how the top DRL mimics Iron Man helmet.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Oct 28, 2020 at 10:06 am

    for that kind of money Hyundai is asking, the eddashboard should be better design. Right now, it’s just boring and typical.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Oct 29, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    goodbye kona. straight coma.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • 안마 on Nov 26, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Right away I am going to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to read further news.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Better buy this Kona(RM119,000)than Elantra(RM158,000).I choose Kona because cheap n today SUV is global trend.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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