Trims and Powertrain

The four trim levels for the ’26 Kona are the SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited. The base powertrain on the SE and SEL Sport pairs a 2-liter Atkinson 4-cylinder engine with an intelligent variable transmission (IVT) and generates 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque. The SEL Premium and Limited upgrade to a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, with an output of 190 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.

A front-wheel drivetrain (FWD) is standard across the lineup, but Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive (AWD) is available on all trims. The SE returns an estimated 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with FWD, and 27 mpg city/29 mpg highway with AWD. The SEL Sport achieves 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway with FWD, and 26 mpg city/29 mpg highway with AWD. Both the SEL Premium and Limited achieve 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway with FWD, and 25 mpg city/28 mpg highway with AWD. All Konas are equipped with MacPherson front struts and coil springs. FWD models have a rear torsion beam, while AWD models utilize an independent multi-link rear suspension.

Standard Features

The SE has cloth seating surfaces, manual front seats, a 4.2-inch digital gauge display, single-zone air conditioning, proximity key with push-button start, four USB ports (two front, two rear), a 12-volt outlet, LED projection combination headlights with automatic on/off, LED daytime running lights, a roof-mounted LED stop light, LED combination taillights, active grille shutters, an integrated roof spoiler, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with a two-stage recline function, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The SEL Sport indulges its occupants with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual automatic temperature control with auto defog and second-row air vents, wireless smartphone charging, heated side-view mirrors with integrated LED turn-signal indicators, LED interior lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels with a black finish.

The SEL Premium receives H-Tex leatherette upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient interior lighting, and 19-inch alloy wheels with an N Line design. The Limited takes the top slot with ventilated front seats, a power-tilt/slide sunroof with a sunshade, a hands-free power liftgate with automatic open, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Hyundai Digital Key 2, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Safety and Driver Assistance Technology

All Konas come with elements of Hyundai’s SmartSense driver-assist technology suite, with all trims getting blind spot collision-avoidance warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, safe exit warning, high beam assist, rear occupant alert, and forward collision-avoidance assist with direct oncoming pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection. Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go and a rearview monitor with parking guidance are also standard. The Limited adds navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with curve control, a 360-degree surround view monitor, a blind-spot view monitor, highway driving assist, and rear, front, and side parking distance warning with contour warning.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Kona’s infotainment suite is housed within a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Its standard components are wireless smartphone connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Bluetooth hands-free and wireless audio streaming. The Limited is loaded up with extra features: onboard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium 8-speaker Bose audio system (the lower trims have an unbranded sound unit with six speakers). Every 2026 Kona comes with the Hyundai Bluelink+ Connected Car System’s Basic Package, to which the Limited adds Bluelink+’s Advanced Package, with remote capability and guidance.