Trims and Mechanical Specs

Four trim levels – the SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited – await buyers of the 2026 Kona. The first two get the default powertrain, a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter Atkinson 4-cylinder engine with an intelligent variable transmission (IVT). The two higher trims get a power increase via a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters); it makes 190 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.

Regardless of what trim they choose, buyers can elect Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive (AWD) as an upgrade from the standard front-wheel drivetrain (FWD). The SE is EPA-rated to achieve 29 mpg around town and 34 mpg on the highway with FWD, which dips a tad to 27 city/29 highway with AWD. The SEL Sport with FWD gets 28 city/35 highway with FWD, and 26 city/29 highway with AWD. With their stronger engine, the SEL Premium and Limited are both rated for 26 city/31 highway with FWD and 25 city/28 highway with AWD.

Standard Equipment by Trim

The SE has typical base-trim appointments such as fabric upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, air conditioning, a 4.2-inch digital gauge display, push-button start, four USB ports (two front, two rear), and a 12-volt outlet. It also gets some nice amenities, like auto-on/off LED projection combination headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED combination taillights, active grille shutters, an integrated roof spoiler, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with two-stage reclining, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Hyundai improves the SEL Sport with dual-zone automatic climate control with automatic defog and second-row vents, heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated side-view mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators, LED lighting for the cabin, and 18-inch alloy wheels with a sporty black finish.

The SEL Premium is upgraded further, getting ambient interior lighting, H-Tex (leatherette) upholstery, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Limited pampers its passengers with heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free power liftgate with automatic open, a power-tilt/slide sunroof with a sunshade, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Hyundai Digital Key 2, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Safety Features

The standard edition of Hyundai’s SmartSense driver-assist technology bundle includes driver attention warning, high beam assist, blind spot collision-avoidance warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, safe exit warning, rear occupant alert, and forward collision-avoidance assist with direct oncoming pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection. All four trims also get Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go and a rearview monitor with parking guidance are also standard. The Limited is loaded with these additional technologies: highway driving assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with curve control, a blind-spot view monitor, parking sensors (rear, front, and side) with contour warning, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor.

Staying Entertained and Connected

A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominates the dash of every 2026 Kona. The components found on every trim are Bluetooth hands-free and wireless audio streaming, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and a sound system with six speakers. There are considerable upgrades made to the Limited, which gets a Bose sound system with eight speakers plus onboard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot Access to the Hyundai Bluelink+ Connected Car System Basic Package is found on the first three trims, while the Limited gets the Bluelink+ Advanced Package.