2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Specs, Redesign, Release Date
Although the Hyundai Kona Electric of the second generation was fantastic, the first model was considerably better. Its greater size makes it more useful than many of its competitors, and the inside seems more upscale thanks to a blend of luxurious materials and cutting-edge technology. While the larger battery gives up to 319 miles of range on a full charge, the entry-level model with the smaller battery is enticingly cheap. It’s no surprise that we thought it worthy of taking home the coveted Auto Express Car of the Year 2023 award. 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Specs
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The lower battery car is only available in Advance, in contrast to the larger battery Hyundai Kona, which is available in Advance, N Line, N Line S, and the top-of-the-line Ultimate trim levels.
The base-spec Kona Electric has dual-zone climate control, front and back parking sensors with a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, two front and two rear USB-C outlets, so don’t think it’s lacking in features. Even the higher specification Kona versions have the same twin 12.3-inch displays.
The Kona’s pixelated lightbars and striking angular exterior are obvious homages to the brand’s Ioniq line of automobiles, as is the interior’s spacious and light-filled design. With lots of space in both the front and back, it’s a comfortable place to relax and seems well-built.
Hyundai is pleased to say that input from customers went into designing the inside of the Kona, which is generally comforting. Although most EVs with premium ambitions have larger dashboard screens, we prefer that physical buttons have been retained for commonly used features like the radio and climate control. This makes it simpler to make quick adjustments while driving than in competitors that solely have touchscreen controls.
The Kona’s infotainment system is easy to use, and the Advance model even includes EV route planning and sat-nav to assist ensure you don’t have to rush to locate a charger. Over the course of the Kona’s life, Hyundai promises to provide over-the-air upgrades, which may include a “app shop” where other widgets and features can be added to the menu.
The second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric has greater inside room than the first model due to its larger size. The car seems to have a little more presence when you sit higher up since there is more headroom, legroom, and shoulder room than before.
Compared to the previous car, the boot now has a convenient 466 liters of baggage capacity; when the rear seats are folded down, the capacity rises to 1,300 liters. Although the Kona Electric lacks a true “frunk” beneath the engine, there is still enough room underneath the boot floor to store the charging wires and fit a purse or small shopping bag.
With the Vehicle to Load (V2L) charging feature included in all variants, you may use the three-pin connection located in the center console to charge anything from a kettle to a microwave. 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Specs
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Specs
Engine & Performance
Only 154 horsepower is available with the smaller battery variant, which is far less than the 215 horsepower that the 65.4kWh battery version produces. Importantly, though, the torque values don’t change, meaning that the lower-power variant merely takes a second longer to reach 62 mph.
The Kona has a grunt that makes it feel really nimble around town, and the torque delivery is as instantaneous as you would expect from an EV. So grunty, in fact, that stepping on the accelerator too much may easily send the front wheels scrambling for grip.
The Kona has grown in all dimensions, but its turning radius hasn’t changed—it is still 10.6 meters. Although it is definitely not advised for driving, the steering is light and simple to turn with one finger. That might be useful for parking, but at higher speeds, the Kona Electric has almost no input, making it a boring car to drive on a winding B road.
At highway speeds, the Kona Electric isn’t nearly as eager, but if you need to pass, it has the power to do so pretty rapidly. The Kona maintains outstanding refinement even when you abuse it. Although there is enough suspension travel to handle worn-out roads, the suppleness prevents excessive body lean in turns. It strikes a nice balance, emphasizing comfort over all else.
Instead of the 19-inch rims used on the rest of the range, the Advance has 17-inch wheels, which we believe contributes to the vehicle’s excellent ride quality. 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Specs, Redesign
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Safety Features
When safety specialists Euro NCAP assessed the base version of the second-generation Hyundai Kona in 2023, they gave it a dismal four stars. The Hyundai received a less-than-stellar grade due to its poor performance in the vulnerable road user protection test and the lack of driver aid technologies on lower-spec vehicles.
On the bright side, every Kona Electric is equipped with a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, lane-follow assist, several airbags, and a driver attentiveness warning system.
Along with other features, the N Line S and Ultimate versions come with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance, side parking distance warning, safe exit alert, and a surround view monitor.
In our latest 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction poll, Hyundai ranked a lackluster 17th out of 32 manufacturers; the infotainment system received the highest praise. Less owners expressed satisfaction with the driving experience, ride and handling, and quality of the cabin. Given that Kia, Hyundai’s brother brand, came in third, it appears that Hyundai still has to improve.
Hyundai offers an exceptional five-year unlimited mileage warranty, so owners can rest easy at least. Kia provides coverage for seven years, but keep in mind that the maximum mileage is 100,000 miles.
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Fuel Economy
The smaller battery’s 234-mile range isn’t particularly impressive, especially considering that the larger battery has a range of 319 miles. But unlike many of its competitors, the Kona will consistently achieve that number since it is equipped with a basic heat pump, which is a more effective means to warm a car’s interior throughout the winter.
While the 65.4kWh model has a greater 101kW charging speed that reduces the same 10 to 80 percent top-up time to 34 minutes, the 48.4kWh version’s peak 74kW charging number means it will take 41 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent.
Until the 2025 regulation changes, VED (road tax) remains free. It’s also important to keep in mind that EV drivers are free to enter the London ULEZ region until 2025. However, because electric vehicles have incredibly low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) taxation compared to ordinary gasoline and diesel automobiles, corporate car drivers will save the most money. The Kona Electric in Advance trim with the 48.4kWh battery will be the least expensive to insure because of its group rating of 25 (out of 50). Considering that even the Ultimate trim with the 65.4kWh battery receives a group 33 rating, insurance costs ought to be reasonable for all models.
Based on our expert analysis, the Kona electric should retain 51% of its initial purchase price after 3 years and 36,000 miles. Comparable to the Kia EV3, it is a significant improvement over the Peugeot E-2008, which is predicted to lose only 37% of its value in the same time frame.
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Release Date & Price
The modest £35,000 price tag of the Hyundai Kona Electric, which is the entry-level model, is for the Advance trim level and the car’s smallest 48.4kWh battery. The extra £3,500 costs for the 65.4kWh battery upgrade. The mid-range N Line or N Line S trims, as well as the high-spec Ultimate trim levels, are not compatible with the 48.4kWh battery; instead, you will need to purchase a Kona Electric with a 65.4kWh battery. The range of costs is around £40,500 to £43,000.
Although the Kona Electric has a good amount of equipment as standard, there are a few optional options that are available. These include of full leather upholstery on the Ultimate trim (£900), two-tone roofs on the N Line and N Line S versions (£500), and metallic paint (£650).
Conclusion
Hyundai presently offers three electric vehicles (EVs), with the Kona Electric being the smallest SUV available prior to the Inster’s release. For those who are not quite ready to commit to an electric vehicle, there is also the option of gasoline or hybrid power.
Important competitors include the Kona Electric’s K3 platform-sharing Kia Niro EV and other electric compact SUVs like the Peugeot E-2008, Vauxhall Mokka Electric, Volkswagen ID.3, and Cupra Born.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
