Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a brand new mid-range trim level, amongst other changes for the small SUV.
The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August.
Hyundai hasn’t released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup.
The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the one solution to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic within the Kona – has been axed.
Hyundai says it has been axed as a part of a technique to simplify the Kona lineup.
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The corporate says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the bottom naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder.
You possibly can not get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above).
Nonetheless, there’s a brand new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It might be had with the optional N Line package.
Over the bottom Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery.
The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with an influence sunshade, leading to price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid.
The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before.
Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026.
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Kona 2.0 | $32,700 (+$200) |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona 2.0 Elite | $35,700 (NEW) |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona Hybrid | $36,700 (+$200) |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Elite | $39,700 (NEW) |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona 2.0 Premium | $41,700 (+$2200) |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium | $45,700 (+$2500) |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The Kona’s turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is roofed individually.
| Specifications | Kona 2.0 | Kona Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl petrol | 1.6L 4cyl hybrid |
| Engine outputs | 110kW + 180Nm | 77kW + 144Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | – | 32kW + 170Nm |
| System outputs | – | 104kW + 265Nm |
| Battery | – | 1.32kWh lithium-ion |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1335-1455kg | 1410-1525kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.6L/100km | 3.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank capability | 47L | 38L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| Braked towing capability | 1300kg | 1300kg |
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|
| Length | 4350mm (4385mm with N Line pack) |
| Width | 1825mm |
| Height | 1585-1590mm |
| Wheelbase | 2660mm |
| Cargo capability | 407L (rear seats up) 1241L (rear seats folded) |
Servicing and Warranty
The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km.
The primary five services are capped at $402-407 each for the two.0-litre petrol, while within the hybrid they’re capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627.
Safety
The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023.
| Category | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 80 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 84 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 64 per cent |
| Safety assist | 62 per cent |
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Junction assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Multi-collision brake
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Protected exit warning
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- 7 airbags, including front-centre airbag
The Premium adds:
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Parking Collision Avoidance Assist Reverse
- Surround-view camera
- Side parking sensors
Standard Equipment
There are three trim levels within the 2026 Kona lineup.
The bottom trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the next equipment:
- 17-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
- Automatic reflector LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Dark grey roof rails
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Distant start
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Over-the-air updates
- Bluelink connected automobile services
- Leather-appointed steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped shifter (2.0 only)
- Paddle shifters (Hybrid only)
- Shift by Wire (Hybrid only)
- ‘Open-type’ centre console (Hybrid only)
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- LED interior lighting
- Fold-down rear armrest
- Height-adjustable front seats
- 2-way driver lumbar adjust
The Elite adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rear privacy glass
- Silver-painted skid plates
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Leather upholstery
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- 8-way power passenger seat
- Paddle shifters
- Shift by Wire
- ‘Open-type’ centre console
- Elecrochromic rear-view mirror
The Premium adds:
- Distant Smart Parking Assist
- LED indicators
- Full-width front light bar
- Sunroof with power sunshade
- Acoustic laminated/solar windshield
- Power tailgate
- 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters
- Satellite navigation
- 8-speaker Bose sound system
- Ambient lighting
- Cloth headliner
- ‘Premium Rest front seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Driver’s seat memory
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
Options
The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium.
This package adds:
- 19-inch N Line alloy wheels
- High-gloss black rear spoiler
- N Line-specific bumpers, skid plates, side skirts
- Chrome twin tip exhaust
- Black mirror caps and belt line trim
- Body-colour cladding
- Leather and Alcantara upholstery
- Steering wheel with perforated grips
- Energetic Red air vent, seat highlights
- Dark Metal inlays
- Black headliner
- Alloy pedals
- ‘Sport’ scuff plates
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Premium only)
- Projector LED headlights with LED indicators, parking light (Premium only)
- Full-width front light bar (Premium only)
Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
