Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has officially launched the 2021 Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo, as well as the Kona N Line with the same turbo engine. The Kona 1.6 Turbo is priced at RM146,888, while the sporty N Line tops the range at RM156,888, on-the-road with sales tax exemption (50% for CBU imports), without insurance.
The most powerful B-segmemt SUV in Malaysia is powered by Hyundai’s Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi turbocharged engine with 198 PS and 265 Nm of torque at 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. Power goes to the front wheels via a Smartsteam 7DCT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Compared to the previous 1.6T engine, the Smartstream G1.6 gets Continuous Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) and makes 21 PS more. 0-100 km/h is close to hot hatch territory at 7.7 seconds, two tenths quicker than the old Kona Turbo. The Kona facelift was launched here in April with a 2.0 litre MPI engine with 149 PS and 180 Nm at 4,500 rpm, so the Turbo is a big upgrade in the power department.
The facelifted Kona comes in two distinct faces, with one reserved for the N Line. The regular face is a heavy rework with a slimmer and wider grille taking centre-stage, and the Hyundai logo now sitting on the bodywork above the grille (previously in the middle of the face). The letterbox vent above the grille is no more.
The SUV-style black plastic body cladding is connected from the bumpers to the wheelarches, and there are silver elements in the front and rear bumpers. This is the look of the 2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo, but the latter gains a roof rack and two-tone body colour.
Of the two facelift looks, the Kona N Line’s face is more similar to the original, with the logo in the grille and a vent above the grille, although it’s now split into three. Below, you’ll find an N-style aerodynamic lip with low-lying corner fins plus larger and “more technical” air intake features.
The N Line does away with the new full-width black cladding, or any cladding for that matter – it’s all body colour here. No skid plate-mimicking trim too – the rear end sports a diffuser and twin pipes on one side. The one big pipe on each side layout is reserved for the full cream 280 PS/392 Nm Kona N.
Like the 2.0 Active, both the 1.6T and N Line come with 18-inch alloys, but the sportier version gets a dedicated rim design. The new variants can be had in five colours – Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju, Ignite Flame, Pulse Red and Misty Jungle – all with a black roof (A pillars and wing mirror caps are also in black) for the two-tone look.
Inside, both variants get a 10.25-inch digital cluster in addition to the 8.0-inch head unit with Bluetooth and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, electric parking brake, new ambient light tech (illuminates the centre cupholders and footwell) and aluminium rings around the speakers and air vents.
The N Line cabin features black leather combined with suede, ventilated and heated front seats, red stitching, metal pedals and N logos on the gear lever, steering wheel and seats. Speaking of interior themes, HSDM is offering an alternative to the dark interior for the non-N Line 1.6 Turbo, which can be had with light beige interior trim.
The new Kona variants come with Hyundai’s Smartsense active safety and driving assistance tech. The pack includes Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go that keeps the SCC running even when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Other features are Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and High Beam Assist (HBA). All these are also on the 2.0 Active, but SCC, or adaptive cruise control, is exclusive to turbo variants.
With the two new variants, the CBU Kona range consists of the base 2.0 at RM119,888, the 2.0 Active at RM136,888, the 1.6 Turbo at RM146,888 (RM10k extra) and the N Line at RM156,888 (another RM10k extra). As usual for HSDM, the Kona comes with a five-year or 300,000 km warranty and a three-year or 50,000 km free maintenance package.
So, what do you think of the new Kona variants? If you’re thinking RM157k is a bit steep for a small SUV, how about seeing it this way – what other 200 hp new car can you find for the money today? More on the 2.0L NA variants here.
GALLERY: Hyundai Kona 1.6 N Line
GALLERY: Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo
GALLERY: Hyundai Kona 2.0 Active
GALLERY: Hyundai Kona 2.0 facelift
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Launched in Oct 2020
Facelifted in Apr 2021
Model update in Jul 2021
Previous buyers are seething with the frequent update making their cars outdated and new buyers are wondering how current will their new car lasts.
Epic fail marketing from epic fail brand.
What model update Jul 2021
Is just new variants, also FL buyers know that the n-Line and turbo will come soon anyways
For that money rm150k. Better buy 2 units Proton X50…
Hyundai under Sime darby has drifted into the category’ langmoonchea’ (low volume)like Skoda.
With sales of 1-2 units per month for each dealer,and with frequent lockdowns,many dealers are on the verge of rising the white flag the next few months.
Sime darby better give up the distributorship like what Naza did to KIA.
Copy paste: “Which other part of the world is kimchi cars doing good, except for Kimchiland? Kimchi cars only survival is their cheaper than Japanese car prices. Go look at the Stinger sales when compared price wise to its peers.”
Epic fail marketing from Sime Darby motors. Not epic fail brand. Its failed here cause we people look down at kimchi. Overall around the world they doing good.
Which other part of the world is kimchi cars doing good, except for Kimchiland? Kimchi cars only survival is their cheaper than Japanese car prices. Go look at the Stinger sales when compared price wise to its peers.
10k extra from Turbo engine
10k extra for N-Line bodykit and some Interior cosmetics
Other then the engine that’s lost to the last decade unit found in Elantra 2017 1.6T RM 135k Malaysia units,
Overall is still matching to previous C Segment Sedan interior fittings satisfaction.
It’s definitely better value than the Hyundai Elantra Sedan 1.6NA RM159k.
As usual HSDM choking us with their ostentatious pricing. Nevertheless it’s a cool SUV.
good figure on paper although its ugly.
Wow good kit list! Now if only they got rid of the Active variant and sold the turbo model at 137k.
To be very honest, with the new ~200hp engine, plus the extremely comprehensive suite of Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driver assistance tech; considering how well specified the Kona is, this thing is worth every single penny spent.
Wrong package. I can tell you at this price confirm can not sell well. Korean cars once was hot here due to better package with lower price than japanese cars. After design looked okay, the selling price plays the first factor to decide how good can a model sold here.
Then why Elantra 1.5NA CBU is so expensive?
Looks like there is a competition of Bezel.
This one definitely among the largest.
Better value than Mazda CX-30
SUpernice, peformance plus safety features. Although the 0-100 is a bit of let down, but at least we have alternative to x50.
Price is bit of an issue. But for those who got extra money, should go for this one, at least it won’t be 3-6-9 months waiting period as compared to x50.
Design wise, N line looks better.
The one with the SCC, Smart Cruise Control is compatible with OpenPilot by comma.ai. Good job, HSDM.
That is exactly what I thought. OpenPilot, here I come!
Quite weird name for their models
Kona N line (mainstream)
Kona N (more powerful unit)
Better they reserve the N name plate for the powerful one. Mainstream remove the N and change it to others.
It is like 3 series msport and m3
While the Kona gets the Turbo engine both the Elantra and Sonata was not included previously citing our low quality oil. So what Happened Sime Darby motors??? All of a sudden we have higher quality than Euro4 now or what – ??
undersized screen even for the most expensive model.
why do they even try