Hyundai Atos: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Hyundai Atos was offered in a single generation from September 1997 to September 2008, so the buying decision is not a comparison between generations. Instead, it comes down to choosing among nine database entries within the same Mini 5-doors body style.
The Hyundai Atos was offered in a single generation from September 1997 to September 2008, so the buying decision is not a comparison between generations. Instead, it comes down to choosing among nine database entries within the same Mini 5-doors body style. The main choices are the 999 cc 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT, offered with outputs from 55 to 58 hp, or the 1,086 cc 1.1 MT and 1.1 AT, both rated at 59 hp. On the available figures, the 1.1 MT with 59 hp is the strongest all-round option: it combines the highest power, the highest measured top speed and the lowest measured combined fuel consumption.
Hyundai Atos generations and versions
The Atos has one recorded generation, produced from September 1997 through September 2008. It used the Mini 5-doors body and contains nine versions in the catalogue. Because every entry shares the same production period and body type, there is no later generation offering a fundamentally different specification. Differences within the generation include engine displacement, power, torque, transmission, compression ratio, weight and rear-suspension type.
Several entries have identical version names. To keep them distinct, this article identifies them by power and, where necessary, another recorded specification. The repeated 1.0 MT entries develop 55, 56 or 58 hp; two separate 58 hp specifications have compression ratios of 9.5 and 9.7. The 1.0 AT entries develop 55 or 58 hp; two separate 58 hp specifications likewise use compression ratios of 9.5 and 9.7.
Hyundai Atos engine and gearbox specs
Every Atos version listed here is Gasoline-powered, FWD and uses a front, transverse engine. Each engine has 4 Inline cylinders, 3 valves per cylinder, no boost and distributed multi-point injection.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (56 hp) | 56 hp / 41 kW | 82 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 58 hp / 43 kW | 84 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 58 hp / 43 kW | 82 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | 58 hp / 43 kW | 84 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | 58 hp / 43 kW | 84 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1.1 MT (59 hp) | 59 hp / 43 kW | 83 Nm | 1,086 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1.1 AT (59 hp) | 59 hp / 43 kW | 83 Nm | 1,086 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp / 40 kW | 82 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| 1.0 AT (55 hp) | 55 hp / 40 kW | 82 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
The 1.0 MT with 58 hp produces approximately 58.1 hp per litre, the best specific output in the range. The 1.0 MT with 56 hp delivers approximately 56.1 hp per litre, while the 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT with 55 hp each produce approximately 55.1 hp per litre. Despite having the highest absolute output, the 1,086 cc 1.1 MT and 1.1 AT each make approximately 54.3 hp per litre.
The torque differences are small. The 58 hp manual specifications reach the range-high 84 Nm, which is 2 Nm more than the 56 hp and 55 hp 1.0 versions and 1 Nm more than either 1.1. The 1.1 MT and 1.1 AT reach their 83 Nm at 2,850 rpm, lower than the 3,100 rpm or 3,250 rpm torque peaks recorded for the 1.0 versions.
Hyundai Atos performance and fuel economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (56 hp) | 16.5 s | 142 km/h | 8.0 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km | 6.3 L/100 km |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 15.1 s | 142 km/h | 7.8 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km | 6.3 L/100 km |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 19.8 s | 136 km/h | 8.8 L/100 km | 5.8 L/100 km | 6.9 L/100 km |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | 15.1 s | 142 km/h | 7.8 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km | 6.3 L/100 km |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | 19.8 s | 136 km/h | 8.8 L/100 km | 5.8 L/100 km | 6.9 L/100 km |
| 1.1 MT (59 hp) | 15.4 s | 152 km/h | 7.4 L/100 km | 5.0 L/100 km | 5.9 L/100 km |
| 1.1 AT (59 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.0 MT (55 hp) | 16.5 s | 142 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.0 AT (55 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
For acceleration, the two 1.0 MT with 58 hp specifications are quickest at 15.1 seconds to 100 km/h. They are 0.3 seconds quicker than the 1.1 MT with 59 hp, 1.4 seconds quicker than the 56 hp and 55 hp 1.0 MT, and 4.7 seconds quicker than the measured 58 hp 1.0 AT specifications.
The 1.1 MT with 59 hp has the highest measured top speed at 152 km/h. That is 10 km/h above the measured manual 1.0 versions and 16 km/h above the measured automatic 1.0 versions.
Fuel economy also favours the 1.1 MT with 59 hp. Its measured 5.9 L/100 km combined consumption is 0.4 L/100 km lower than the 6.3 L/100 km of the measured manual 1.0 versions and 1.0 L/100 km lower than the 6.9 L/100 km of the measured automatic 1.0 versions. Against a 58 hp 1.0 AT, the 59 hp 1.1 MT uses 1.4 L/100 km less in the city and 0.8 L/100 km less on the highway.
Choosing a measured 58 hp 1.0 AT instead of a measured 58 hp 1.0 MT brings the 4-speed Automatic gearbox, but the recorded trade-off is substantial: acceleration to 100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds longer, top speed falls by 6 km/h, and combined consumption rises by 0.6 L/100 km.
Hyundai Atos dimensions, weight and ground clearance
Exterior length, width and height are not measured in the supplied specifications. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version. All nine versions have 160 mm of ground clearance and a 35 L fuel tank.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per hp | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT (56 hp) | 930 kg | 1,220 kg | 16.6 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 941 kg | 1,316 kg | 16.2 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.5) | 941 kg | 1,316 kg | 16.2 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 MT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | 941 kg | 1,316 kg | 16.2 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 AT (58 hp, compression 9.7) | not measured | 1,316 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.1 MT (59 hp) | 859 kg | not measured | 14.6 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.1 AT (59 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 MT (55 hp) | 830 kg | 1,220 kg | 15.1 kg/hp | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.0 AT (55 hp) | not measured | 1,220 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 35 L | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the 1.1 MT with 59 hp has the best calculated weight-to-power figure at approximately 14.6 kg/hp. The 1.0 MT with 55 hp follows at approximately 15.1 kg/hp. The 58 hp versions weighing 941 kg return approximately 16.2 kg/hp, while the 56 hp 1.0 MT records approximately 16.6 kg/hp.
Front suspension is Independent, spring throughout, while the front brakes are Disc and the rear brakes are Drum throughout. The rear suspension differs: some 1.0 entries use Semi-independent, torsion suspension, while the 58 hp versions with compression 9.7 and both 1.1 versions use Independent, spring suspension.
Which Hyundai Atos version should you buy?
The 1.1 MT with 59 hp is the strongest evidence-based all-round choice. It has the range’s highest output, its 83 Nm arrives at 2,850 rpm, and its measured top speed of 152 km/h is the highest. It also records the lowest measured consumption at 7.4 L/100 km in the city, 5.0 L/100 km on the highway and 5.9 L/100 km combined. Its calculated 14.6 kg/hp is the best among entries with both kerb weight and power recorded.
For the quickest measured acceleration, choose either 1.0 MT with 58 hp. Both compression-ratio specifications reach 100 km/h in 15.1 seconds and have identical measured consumption of 7.8, 5.3 and 6.3 L/100 km for city, highway and combined driving. Their 84 Nm output is also the highest in the catalogue. The data does not establish a performance or economy advantage for the compression 9.7 version over the compression 9.5 version.
Buy a 1.0 AT with 58 hp when the 4-speed Automatic transmission matters more than acceleration and economy. Its measured 19.8-second acceleration, 136 km/h top speed and 6.9 L/100 km combined consumption all trail the equivalent-output manual specifications.
The 1.0 MT with 55 hp is the lightest measured version at 830 kg, but its fuel consumption is not measured. The 1.0 MT with 56 hp provides a more complete set of figures, although it is slower and less economical than the measured 58 hp manuals. The 1.1 AT with 59 hp offers the larger engine and Automatic gearbox, but its acceleration, top speed, consumption and weights are not measured. The 1.0 AT with 55 hp has similarly incomplete performance and economy data. For a comparison grounded in measured results, the 1.1 MT with 59 hp and the two 1.0 MT with 58 hp specifications therefore make the clearest cases.