2026 Hyundai Kona Electric Lineup Reduced to a Single Trim Level

Still advertised for the 2025 model year on the consumer website, the Kona Electric doesn't have a price for model year 2026. The soon-to-be-announced price isn't actually relevant, especially when the folks at Nissan are bringing the Leaf back with a far more competitive price and much superior driving range.

Survived by the SE trim with the Standard battery, the Kona Electric isn't even cool enough to be granted passage into the Ioniq family of battery-electric vehicles. Part of the reason is the K3 platform, which is an ICE-centric architecture instead of a dedicated battery-electric design such as the Ioniq 5's E-GMP.

Not offered with all-wheel drive or in high-performance flavor, the Kona Electric appears to be living on borrowed time in this part of the world. A glance over the automaker's Q3 2025 sales report shows that both the internal combustion and the zero-emission Kona are not doing well. Over the past quarter, they sold a cumulative 17,450 units.

In year-to-date terms, the Kona twins fared poorly as well. Hyundai Motor America reported 57,278 deliveries in the United States market, down 11 percent from the first three quarters of 2024. By comparison, the brand's top seller clocked 165,239 deliveries in the period from January 2025 to September 2025.

In the EPA's test cycle, the Kona Electric nets a meager 200 miles (322 kilometers) for model year 2026. Listed with a curb weight of 3,571 pounds (1,620 kilograms), the small crossover packs a front-mounted electric motor that generates up to 133 horsepower and 188 pound-feet (255 Newton-meters) of peak torque.

The 269-volt battery holds 48.6 kWh and needs 43 minutes to charge at 100 kW from 10 percent to 80 percent. On a Level 2 charger, 10 to 100 percent takes just under five hours. Boasting vehicle-to-load capability, the Kona Electric is loaded with SmartSense features, including Highway Driving Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Safe Exit Warning.

Its dashboard isn't shabby either due to a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with satellite navigation and 12.3 inches of digital instrumentation. Currently advertised on the consumer website at $32,975 before freight, Hyundai's unloved electric vehicle rolls on 17-inch alloys mounted with 215/60 rubber.

Covered by a five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, the Kona Electric further prides itself on five years of 24/7 roadside assistance, 7 years of anti-perforation coverage, and 10 years or 100,000 miles of limited warranty for both the lithium-ion battery and the front electric drive unit.