Hyundai Kona: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Hyundai Kona choice depends on whether you prioritize acceleration, fuel consumption, AWD, or powertrain variety. The catalogue covers the first generation from 2017 to January 2021, its restyling from February 2021 to January 2023, and the second generation from 2023 onward, all as SUV 5-doors.
The Hyundai Kona choice depends on whether you prioritize acceleration, fuel consumption, AWD, or powertrain variety. The catalogue covers the first generation from 2017 to January 2021, its restyling from February 2021 to January 2023, and the second generation from 2023 onward, all as SUV 5-doors. Across these periods, the data lists Gasoline, Diesel, Hybrid, and Electro versions, with outputs from 115 hp to 204 hp. The quickest measured Kona is the first-generation 204 hp AT Electro at 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h, while the lowest measured fuel-consumption figure belongs to the first-generation 1.6 GDI Hybrid at 3.6 l/100 km on the highway.
Hyundai Kona generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 2017 to January 2021 and contains 12 versions. It offers the widest powertrain selection: Gasoline, Diesel, Hybrid, and Electro. FWD dominates, but AWD is available on 1.6 DCT versions with 136 hp Diesel and 177 hp Gasoline powertrains. Measured ground clearance is 170 mm for combustion and Hybrid versions listed with that figure, compared with 158 mm for both Electro versions.
The first-generation restyling ran from February 2021 to January 2023 and contains 11 versions. Its listed range includes Gasoline, Diesel, and Hybrid powertrains, but no Electro version. Tank capacity rises from the earlier combustion-model norm of 38 litres to 50 litres on most restyled Gasoline and Diesel versions; the two Hybrid 1.6 DCT entries retain 38-litre tanks. Independent spring suspension is listed at both ends throughout the restyled range.
The second generation begins in 2023 and contains 11 versions, all SUV 5-doors. It lists Gasoline and Hybrid choices, with no Diesel or Electro version in the supplied catalogue. Ground clearance is consistently 170 mm. Versions with a measured tank use 47 litres, and the available transmissions include Variable, Manual, and Robotic units. Both FWD and AWD remain available.
Hyundai Kona engine options and specs
Repeated names are distinguished below by generation, power, or drive. Every version name is reproduced exactly as listed.
| Period and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation AT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 395 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured / not measured | not measured | Automatic, 1 | FWD |
| First generation AT, 204 hp | 204 hp | 395 Nm | not measured | Electro | not measured / not measured | not measured | Automatic, 1 | FWD |
| First generation 1.0 MT, 120 hp, 4 cylinders | 120 hp | 172 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 1.0 MT, 120 hp, 3 cylinders | 120 hp | 172 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 265 Nm | 1590 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 2.0 MT | 149 hp | 149 Nm | 1995 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 GDI | 141 hp | 150 Nm | 1580 cc | Hybrid | 4 / Inline | No | Robotic, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 MT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 275 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 DCT, 136 hp FWD | 136 hp | 320 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 DCT, 136 hp AWD | 136 hp | 320 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | AWD |
| First generation 1.6 GAMMA T-GDI | 177 hp | 270 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 DCT, 177 hp AWD | 177 hp | 265 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | AWD |
| Restyling 1.0 T-GDi MHEV iMT | 120 hp | 172 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Restyling 2.0 MPI AWD IVT | 147 hp | 179 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Variable, not measured | AWD |
| Restyling 1.6 CRDi MHEV 4WD DCT | 136 hp | 280 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | AWD |
| Restyling 1.6 CRDi MHEV DCT | 136 hp | 280 Nm | 1598 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Restyling 2.0 MPI IVT | 147 hp | 179 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Variable, not measured | FWD |
| Restyling 1.6 DCT, 198 hp AWD | 198 hp | 270 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | AWD |
| Restyling 1.0 T-GDi iMT | 120 hp | 172 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Restyling 1.6 DCT, 177 hp FWD | 177 hp | 256 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Restyling 1.6 DCT, 198 hp FWD | 198 hp | 270 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Restyling 1.6 DCT, 141 hp | 141 hp | 270 Nm | 1580 cc | Hybrid | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Restyling 1.6 DCT, 139 hp | 139 hp | 270 Nm | 1580 cc | Hybrid | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MPI IVT, FWD | 149 hp | 183 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Variable, not measured | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 DCT, 198 hp AWD | 198 hp | 270 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | AWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MPI IVT, AWD | 149 hp | 183 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Variable, not measured | AWD |
| Second generation 1.0 MT | 120 hp | 175 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 AT | 198 hp | 270 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 MT | 138 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 DCT, 198 hp FWD | 198 hp | 270 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 DCT, 139 hp | 139 hp | 270 Nm | 1580 cc | Hybrid | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.0 DCT | 120 hp | 204 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 3 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 DCT, 138 hp | 138 hp | 250 Nm | 1598 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 7 | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 DCT, 129 hp | 129 hp | 265 Nm | 1580 cc | Hybrid | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 6 | FWD |
Among combustion versions, the strongest specific output is approximately 124 hp per litre from the 198 hp, 1598 cc 1.6 DCT and 1.6 AT variants. The 177 hp, 1590 cc 1.6 MT and 177 hp, 1591 cc first-generation versions produce approximately 111 hp per litre. The 120 hp, 998 cc engines deliver approximately 120 hp per litre, while the second-generation 2.0 MPI IVT produces approximately 75 hp per litre.
Hyundai Kona performance, mpg and economy
The first-generation 204 hp AT Electro is the quickest measured version at 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 167 km/h. Its 136 hp counterpart needs 9.7 seconds and reaches 155 km/h: the additional 68 hp cuts 2.1 seconds from the acceleration time and adds 12 km/h to the measured maximum speed.
For Gasoline performance, the first-generation 1.6 GAMMA T-GDI reaches 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and 210 km/h. The first-generation 177 hp AWD 1.6 DCT records 7.9 seconds and 205 km/h. The restyled 177 hp FWD 1.6 DCT records 7.7 seconds and 209 km/h, while its 198 hp FWD counterpart records 7.7 seconds and 210 km/h. In the second generation, both the 198 hp 1.6 AT and the 198 hp FWD 1.6 DCT record 7.8 seconds and 210 km/h. Performance for the second-generation 198 hp AWD 1.6 DCT is not measured.
For economy, the first-generation 1.6 GDI Hybrid records 3.9 l/100 km in the city and 3.6 l/100 km on the highway; combined consumption is not measured. The restyled 139 hp and 141 hp Hybrid 1.6 DCT versions each record 3.9 l/100 km combined. The second-generation Hybrid 1.6 DCT records 4.6 l/100 km at 139 hp and 4.7 l/100 km at 129 hp.
The first-generation 115 hp Diesel 1.6 MT uses 4.3 l/100 km combined. The 136 hp FWD Diesel 1.6 DCT uses 4.5 l/100 km, while the AWD equivalent uses 4.9 l/100 km. AWD therefore adds 0.4 l/100 km to the measured combined figure and 78 kg to kerb weight. In the restyled range, the FWD 1.6 CRDi MHEV DCT records 4.9 l/100 km, compared with 5.6 l/100 km for 1.6 CRDi MHEV 4WD DCT.
Among measured Gasoline versions, the first-generation 1.0 MT with complete consumption data records 5.7 l/100 km combined. The first-generation 1.6 GAMMA T-GDI records 6.3 l/100 km, while the 177 hp AWD 1.6 DCT records 7.1 l/100 km. The second-generation 138 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 DCT both record 6.5 l/100 km combined; the 198 hp FWD 1.6 DCT has city consumption of 7.4 l/100 km, with highway and combined figures not measured.
Hyundai Kona dimensions, weight and wheel specs
Measured first-generation kerb weights range from 1233 kg for the 120 hp, three-cylinder 1.0 MT to 1760 kg for the 204 hp AT Electro. The 204 hp Electro version carries approximately 8.6 kg per horsepower, compared with approximately 11.8 kg per horsepower for the 136 hp Electro version. The first-generation 1.6 GAMMA T-GDI carries approximately 7.4 kg per horsepower, while the AWD 177 hp 1.6 DCT carries approximately 7.9 kg per horsepower.
In the restyled range, kerb weight runs from 1312 kg for 1.0 T-GDi MHEV iMT to 1486 kg for each listed Hybrid 1.6 DCT. The 198 hp FWD 1.6 DCT weighs 1350 kg, giving approximately 6.8 kg per horsepower; the 198 hp AWD version weighs 1484 kg, or approximately 7.5 kg per horsepower. Gross weights span 1770–1965 kg.
Second-generation measured kerb weights range from 1320 kg for 1.0 DCT to 1525 kg for the 129 hp Hybrid 1.6 DCT. The measured 198 hp FWD 1.6 DCT weighs 1360 kg, approximately 6.9 kg per horsepower. Kerb and gross weights for the 149 hp 2.0 MPI IVT versions, the 198 hp AWD 1.6 DCT, the 198 hp 1.6 AT, the 120 hp 1.0 MT, and the 139 hp Hybrid 1.6 DCT are not measured.
Ground clearance is 158 mm for first-generation Electro versions, 165 mm for the restyled Hybrid 1.6 DCT entries, and 170 mm for the other measured versions. Tank capacity is 38 litres across measured original-generation combustion and Hybrid variants, usually 50 litres after restyling, and 47 litres in second-generation versions where the figure is measured.
Listed wheels include 205/60 R16, 215/55 R17, and 235/45 R18 on several original and second-generation versions. Other second-generation combinations include 205/65 R16, 225/55 R17, 225/45 R18, 235/55 R18, and 215/55 R18. Wheel sizes for versions without a catalogue entry are not measured.
Which Hyundai Kona version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 204 hp AT if measured acceleration is the priority: its 7.6-second result is the quickest in the data, and its 395 Nm matches the 136 hp Electro version while adding 68 hp. Its higher kerb weight is offset by a substantially better weight-to-power ratio.
Choose the first-generation 1.6 GDI if the lowest measured road-fuel figure matters most. Its 3.6 l/100 km highway result is lower than every other measured consumption figure, although combined consumption is not measured. If a combined figure is essential, the restyled Hybrid 1.6 DCT entries both record 3.9 l/100 km.
Choose the first-generation 115 hp Diesel 1.6 MT for the lowest measured combined Diesel consumption at 4.3 l/100 km. Buyers wanting more torque and a Robotic gearbox can select the 136 hp FWD 1.6 DCT, which adds 45 Nm and reduces the 0–100 km/h time by 0.5 seconds, while combined consumption rises by 0.2 l/100 km.
Choose the restyled 198 hp FWD 1.6 DCT for the strongest measured weight-to-power result among versions with kerb weight data. At approximately 6.8 kg per horsepower, it improves on the approximately 7.5 kg per horsepower of the 198 hp AWD version. AWD adds 134 kg; acceleration for that AWD version is not measured.
Choose a second-generation 2.0 MPI IVT if the combination of a 1999 cc Gasoline engine, Variable transmission, and a choice of FWD or AWD is more important than published performance data. Both versions produce 149 hp and 183 Nm, but acceleration, maximum speed, consumption, tank capacity, and weight are not measured.
Choose the second-generation 1.0 DCT over 1.0 MT if torque and a Robotic gearbox matter: both produce 120 hp from 998 cc, but 1.0 DCT supplies 204 Nm rather than 175 Nm. Both record 11.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 180 km/h. The 1.0 DCT has a measured 47-litre tank and 1320 kg kerb weight; those figures are not measured for 1.0 MT.
Finally, choose AWD only when it is a requirement rather than an assumption about value. Where like-for-like measurements exist, AWD brings additional mass and consumption: the first-generation 136 hp Diesel 1.6 DCT gains 78 kg and 0.4 l/100 km combined, while the restyled 136 hp Diesel AWD version gains 105 kg and 0.7 l/100 km combined over its FWD counterpart. Prices, reliability, engine problems, and recall information are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a catalogue recommendation.