Hyundai Scoupe: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Hyundai Scoupe was offered as a Coupe in a single generation from 1988 to 1996, with five listed versions. Choosing between them mainly means deciding among two engine displacements, two transmission types, and naturally aspirated or Turbo performance. The 115 hp 1.5 MT is the clear performance choice, while the 84 hp and 88 hp versions suit buyers who do not need the strongest acceleration.
The Hyundai Scoupe was offered as a Coupe in a single generation from 1988 to 1996, with five listed versions. Choosing between them mainly means deciding among two engine displacements, two transmission types, and naturally aspirated or Turbo performance. The 115 hp 1.5 MT is the clear performance choice, while the 84 hp and 88 hp versions suit buyers who do not need the strongest acceleration. A four-speed Automatic is available with 84 hp or 88 hp; the 115 hp Turbo comes only with a five-speed Manual.
Hyundai Scoupe generations and versions
The 1 generation ran from 1988 to 1996 and used a Coupe body. Its five versions are the 1.5 MT with 84 hp, 1.5 AT with 84 hp, 1.5 MT with 88 hp, 1.5 AT with 88 hp, and 1.5 MT with 115 hp. Because three entries share the exact name 1.5 MT, they must be distinguished by their outputs: 84 hp, 88 hp, and 115 hp. Likewise, the two 1.5 AT versions are identified here as the 84 hp and 88 hp variants.
Engine and gearbox specs
All five versions use a front, transverse Gasoline engine with four Inline cylinders, distributed injection (multi-point), and FWD. The earlier-displacement 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT produce 84 hp from 1,468 cc and have two valves per cylinder. The 1,495 cc versions have three valves per cylinder and produce either 88 hp without boost or 115 hp with Turbo boost.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT (84 hp) | 84 hp / 62 kW at 5,500 rpm | 124 Nm at 3,000 rpm | 1,468 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline; front, transverse | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.5 AT (84 hp) | 84 hp / 62 kW at 5,500 rpm | 124 Nm at 3,000 rpm | 1,468 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline; front, transverse | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.5 MT (88 hp) | 88 hp / 65 kW at 5,600 rpm | 130 Nm at 3,050 rpm | 1,495 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline; front, transverse | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.5 AT (88 hp) | 88 hp / 65 kW at 5,600 rpm | 130 Nm at 3,050 rpm | 1,495 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline; front, transverse | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.5 MT (115 hp) | 115 hp / 85 kW at 5,600 rpm | 171 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 1,495 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4 | Inline; front, transverse | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The 1,468 cc engine develops about 57.2 hp per litre. The naturally aspirated 1,495 cc engine raises that to about 58.9 hp per litre, while the Turbo 1,495 cc engine reaches about 76.9 hp per litre. Relative to the 84 hp engine, the naturally aspirated 88 hp unit adds 4 hp and 6 Nm for 27 cc more displacement. The Turbo keeps the 1,495 cc displacement but adds 27 hp and 41 Nm over the 88 hp version.
The transmission choice does not change the listed engine output: both 84 hp versions produce 124 Nm, and both 88 hp versions produce 130 Nm. The distinction is therefore a five-speed Manual versus a four-speed Automatic. There is no Automatic listed for the 115 hp Turbo version.
Performance, fuel economy, and mpg
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT (84 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 AT (84 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (88 hp) | 11.4 seconds | 178 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 AT (88 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (115 hp) | 9.5 seconds | 195 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The strongest measurable comparison is between the 88 hp 1.5 MT and the 115 hp 1.5 MT. The Turbo version reaches 100 km/h 1.9 seconds sooner and has a top speed 17 km/h higher. That makes it the most suitable version when acceleration and maximum speed are the priorities.
Acceleration and top speed were not measured for either 84 hp version or for the 88 hp 1.5 AT. Fuel consumption was not measured for any version, so no city, highway, combined, or mpg ranking can be supported by the supplied figures. CO₂ output and environmental class were also not measured across the range.
Dimensions, weight, ground clearance, and tank capacity
External length, width, and height were not measured for any Hyundai Scoupe version in the supplied data. Wheel sizes were also not measured. Every version has 158 mm of ground clearance and a 45-litre fuel tank.
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 MT (84 hp) | not measured | not measured | 158 mm | 45 litres | not measured |
| 1.5 AT (84 hp) | not measured | not measured | 158 mm | 45 litres | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (88 hp) | 975 kg | 1,440 kg | 158 mm | 45 litres | not measured |
| 1.5 AT (88 hp) | not measured | 1,440 kg | 158 mm | 45 litres | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (115 hp) | 985 kg | 1,440 kg | 158 mm | 45 litres | not measured |
Among versions with a measured kerb weight, the 88 hp 1.5 MT weighs 975 kg, or about 11.1 kg per horsepower. The 115 hp 1.5 MT weighs 985 kg, only 10 kg more, but improves the ratio to about 8.6 kg per horsepower. Its output is 27 hp higher while its measured kerb weight rises by just 10 kg. Both have the same 1,440 kg gross weight.
All versions use Independent, spring suspension at both ends, with Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. These items do not separate one version from another.
Reliability and problems
Reliability records and model-specific problem data were not measured, so the versions cannot be ranked for dependability from the supplied information. The available specifications only identify one major mechanical distinction that a buyer can use when comparing configurations: four versions have No boost, while the 115 hp 1.5 MT uses Turbo boost. No failure rates, maintenance intervals, repair costs, or service-history figures are available.
Which Hyundai Scoupe version should you buy?
Choose the 115 hp 1.5 MT if measurable performance matters most. It is the only Turbo version, produces 171 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds, and has a 195 km/h top speed. Compared with the naturally aspirated 88 hp 1.5 MT, it delivers 27 hp and 41 Nm more, accelerates 1.9 seconds faster, and adds 17 km/h to the measured top speed. Its stronger 8.6 kg-per-horsepower ratio is achieved despite weighing 10 kg more.
Choose the 88 hp 1.5 MT for the strongest naturally aspirated configuration with fully reported performance and weight figures. It produces 130 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds, has a 178 km/h top speed, and weighs 975 kg. It gives up measurable pace to the Turbo but avoids boost and retains the five-speed Manual.
Choose the 88 hp 1.5 AT if an Automatic is essential and you want the higher-output naturally aspirated engine. It provides 4 hp and 6 Nm more than the 84 hp 1.5 AT, while both use a four-speed Automatic. Its 0–100 km/h time, top speed, and kerb weight were not measured, so the extra engine output cannot be translated into a verified performance advantage.
The 84 hp 1.5 MT and 84 hp 1.5 AT are the lowest-output choices. They share the same 1,468 cc engine, 84 hp, and 124 Nm; select between them according to the five-speed Manual or four-speed Automatic gearbox. Their acceleration, top speed, kerb weight, gross weight, and fuel consumption were not measured.
On the numbers available, the 115 hp 1.5 MT is the best performance purchase, the 88 hp 1.5 MT is the most completely documented naturally aspirated alternative, and the 88 hp 1.5 AT is the leading Automatic choice by output. Price data is unavailable, so the extra money required for any version—and whether its gains justify that premium—cannot be measured.