1.5 Engine - Petrol GDI-Turbo
Pushing out 280Nm of peak torque at 1500-4500 rpm, the quiet, smooth-running 1.5 GDI-Turbo will also give you best-in-class performance for a dynamic, exhilarating driving experience here - that is in no doubt.
As with your output here, you can get, for instance:
| Max Power |
Max Torque |
163PS 5,500rpm |
280Nm 1,500–4,000rpm |
As you can see, every KGM engine unit really does give you readily available power from the off.
There is also a very smooth and powerful delivery whenever you want it as well, and every engine here gives you some nice eco-friendly fuel efficiency options, all-important for your fuel economy on the whole here, as a result.
6-Speed Automatic or Manual Transmission
For your gearbox options, here you have two options to choose from, including:
The Drive Mode System
The automatic gearbox also features selectable drive modes (NORMAL / SPORT / WINTER) for safe driving and a customisable driving experience when you need it as well.
For instance, here Normal mode balances the need for your fuel economy and power.
Sport will then give you the extra power, and Winter starts the car in 2nd gear to prevent slippage when the road you are on is icy as well.
Do Mercedes Make Tivoli Engines?
That is a fair question we get asked, but no, Mercedes does not make engines for the Tivoli.
The Tivoli uses its own engines developed by SsangYong (now KGM), including its punchy 1.5-litre petrol that’s been tuned for everyday driving comfort and fuel efficiency.
While there have been links between Mercedes and SsangYong in the past, especially when it comes to its diesel tech, the engines in the current Tivoli are very much home-grown.
So, if you were wondering whether there’s a bit of German magic under the bonnet, not this time, but it still gives you a solid, reliable performance as you would expect as well.
Fuel Efficiency & MPG Ratings
For its fuel consumption, this is overall very decent.
For instance, for your fuel and engine stats, here you have:
| Specification |
K40 Manual |
K40 Auto |
| Drivetrain |
Front wheel drive |
Front wheel drive |
| Engine capacity (cc) |
1497 |
1497 |
| Fuel |
Petrol |
Petrol |
| Engine configuration |
4 cylinders |
4 cylinders |
| Bore x stroke (mm) |
76 x 82.5 |
76 x 82.5 |
| Compression ratio |
9.5:1 |
9.5:1 |
| Transmission Detail |
6 speed manual |
6 speed automatic |
| Exhaust system |
Catalyst |
Performance
| Specification |
K40 Manual |
K40 Auto |
| Maximum power (kW/rpm) |
120/5500 |
120/5500 |
| Maximum power (PS/rpm) |
163/5500 |
163/5500 |
| Maximum torque (Nm/rpm) |
280/1500-4000 |
260/1500-4000 |
| Maximum torque (kg · m/rpm) |
28.5/1500-4000 |
26.8/1500-4000 |
| Top speed (mph) |
119 |
118 |
Fuel Consumption
| Driving Condition |
K40 Manual (mpg) |
K40 Auto (mpg) |
| Low |
32.2 |
27.8 |
| Medium |
42.3 |
39.2 |
| High |
45.8 |
43.3 |
| Extra High |
37.1 |
34.2 |
| Combined |
39.6 |
36.4 |
Emissions
| Specification |
K40 Manual |
K40 Auto |
| Emission standard |
Euro VI |
Euro VI |
| CO2 emissions (g/km) |
162 |
176 |
Real-World Fuel Economy – What’s It Like at the Pump & Your Running Costs?
While the official figures for the KGM Tivoli look respectable on paper - around 36 to 40 mpg combined, depending on whether you go for the manual or the auto - what is the reality at the pump?
In day-to-day driving, especially with the 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to the auto gearbox, there are a lot of driving variables to take into considering. For drivers who may be heavier on the brake or accelerator, for instance, this can be closer to 30–33 mpg on mixed routes.
Although on the motorway, though, you can edge it closer to 40 mpg if you’re gentle with the throttle and stick to cruise control.
So what does that mean for your wallet? On average, assuming 10,000 miles a year and today’s fuel prices, you’re looking at roughly £1,800–£2,000 annually in petrol costs for the Tivoli, which is pretty standard for cars in this class.
That said, the Tivoli also comes with low insurance group ratings, competitive servicing costs, and a five-year warranty that all will help to reduce your running costs further. For many drivers, especially those who don't rack up loads of miles or mostly stick to local roads, the trade-off is definitely worth it, considering how much equipment and space you get as standard here as well.