We all know and love the Hyundai Kona, whether it's the gas version or the EV. With the all-new and improved 2026 Hyundai Kona, you will get an even better SUV with sporty styling, improved standard equipment, and new models introduced into the lineup. Whether it's tech you are looking forward to, a new trim, expanded comfort, or tweaks to the outside look of Kona, this post is for you. Continue reading to learn more!
Is the Hyundai Kona Changing in 2026?
Yes! The 2026 Hyundai Kona sees many changes to its interior and exterior. With a slight revamp, you will get things like SEL Sport and SEL Premium trims (new), standard Adaptive Cruise Control, wireless device charging in lower trims, a larger console tray, new interior ambient lighting in upper trims, and plenty more.
2026 Hyundai Kona Interior
Let's start inside the 2026 Hyundai Kona. For this newest release, drivers of the Kona can bet on standard:
- Cloth seat materials
- 6-way adjustable driver's seat
- 60/40 split fold-down seatback
- 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Dual front and rear USB outlets
- Rear View Monitor (RVM) with parking guidance
- 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster
2026 Hyundai Kona Exterior
Some of the exterior features and enhancements you can expect with the 2026 Hyundai Kona include standard:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 215/60R17 tires
- LED Projector Combination headlights
- LED Combination taillights
- Active grille shutters
- Body-color side mirrors
Your outside dimensions are as follows:
- Wheelbase: 104.7 inches
- Length: 171.3 inches
- Width: 71.9 inches
- Height FWD/AWD: 62.2 / 63.2 inches
- Minimum ground clearance FWD/AWD: 6.7 / 8.1 inches
Note: There will be slight fluctuations in the size of your Kona based on trim.
Performance, Powertrain, and MPG
The performance, powertrain, and MPG of the 2026 Hyundai Kona are other categories we want to discuss in this next section. For your engine performance specifications, the Kona comes with a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and an optional 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 190 horsepower in performance models.
Powertrain Specifications - Standard Engine
- Engine: 2.0L inline 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 147 horsepower
- Torque: 132 pound-feet
- Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (AWD optional)
- Transmission: CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Powertrain Specifications - Turbocharged Engine
- Engine: 1.6L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 190 horsepower
- Torque: 195 pound-feet
- Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (AWD optional)
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Your MPG estimates for the 2026 Hyundai Kona are impressive, with the base engine offering your best ratings per the EPA. Here are your highest fuel estimates with FWD and AWD.
- Base Engine (FWD):
- City: 28 MPG
- Highway: 35 MPG
- Combined: 31 MPG
- Turbo Engine (AWD):
- City: 24 MPG
- Highway: 29 MPG
- Combined: 26 MPG
Note: Although the EPA has not released new ratings for Kona, the engines have not changed, so these figures are from 2025.
What Safety Features Does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Have?
There are endless safety features incorporated into the 2026 Hyundai Kona SUV. Thanks to SmartSense technology, you see standard features ranging from:
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning (BCW)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), Cyclist & Junction Turning Detection, and Direct Oncoming
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment and connectivity with the 2026 Hyundai Kona are exciting, especially as you move up through the various trims available this model year. Like we mentioned earlier, 2026 brings even better technology across the lineup, and you can bet on having these things at a standard level:
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display
- HD Radioâ„¢ and SiriusXM
- Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®
- Dual front and rear USB outlets
- Bluetooth® hands-free with wireless audio streaming
- 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster
When you upgrade to a higher/non-base trim, you see features such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless device charging (for Qi-supported devices), Wi-Fi hotspot, Bose Premium Audio with external amp and eight speakers, and Dynamic Voice Recognition.
2026 Hyundai Kona Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2026 Hyundai Kona comes at a great price overall, with entry-level trims kicking off at $25,350. At the highest price point, the Kona retails at $32,650. Even then, you get a great SUV with high performance for under $35,000, putting the Kona well below market average.
SE
Starting the 2026 Hyundai Kona trims off, we have the SE retailing for $25,350. This particular model offers many highlights, including:
- FWD: 29 City/34 Hwy/31 Combined
- AWD: 27 City/29 Hwy/28 Combined
- 147-hp 2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go
- Wireless smartphone integration
- Proximity Key with push button start
SEL Sport
A new trim this year is the SEL Sport, which features what you get in the SE, plus many extras for a retail price of $26,675.
- FWD: 28 City/35 Hwy/31 Combined
- AWD: 26 City/29 Hwy/27 Combined
- 147-hp 2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Gloss black mirror covers and spoiler
- Wireless device charging
- Dual automatic temperature control
SEL Premium
Another new trim option for 2026 is the Kona SEL Premium. This SUV brings us into the higher-end side of the series, retailing for $28,550. Its highlights include:
- FWD: 26 City/31 Hwy/28 Combined
- AWD: 25 City/28 Hwy/26 Combined
- 190-hp 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- H-Tex® trimmed seats
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Power driver's seat with lumbar support
Limited
To finish out the 2026 Hyundai Kona, the Limited trim will be your fanciest. With the Limited, you see upgraded materials, a turbocharged engine, and many of the same features as the SEL Premium, retailing for $32,650. Its highlights are:
- FWD: 26 City/31 Hwy/28 Combined
- AWD: 25 City/28 Hwy/26 Combined
- 190-hp 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine
- Hands-free smart liftgate with auto open
- Surround View Monitor (SVM)
- Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation
Get Your Hyundai Kona at Granite Hyundai
Now that you know more about the 2026 Hyundai Kona SUV, it's time to visit your friendly team at Granite Hyundai. We bring years of experience and a can't-beat team at our dealership, and we are ready to get you a set of keys for a test drive. Don't wait, come in and test drive the 2026 Kona today in Somersworth, NH.
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