2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Kona: What Changed
Published November 4, 2026 · Last updated November 4, 2026
Hyundai calls the 2027 Kona a carry-over, and the official change list is only two lines long: the SE loses Idle Stop and Go, and ambient interior lighting is now reserved for the Limited. The styling, both engines and the four trims are the same as on the 2026, EPA ratings match except for the SE with AWD (27 mpg combined, down from 28), and the sticker prices match Hyundai's late-2026 price sheet; only the destination charge moves, by $50 to $1,650. The N Line has not come back, and a 2027 Kona Electric has not been officially announced for the US. Here is the full comparison for New York shoppers deciding between a leftover 2026 and a new 2027.
Should You Buy a 2026 or a 2027 Kona?
- Take a 2026 if you want ambient lighting on an SEL Premium, an SE AWD with Idle Stop and Go and 1 more mpg, or simply a bigger discount: you are not giving up any features otherwise.
- Take a 2027 if the incentives are equal and you would rather have the newer model year when you sell or trade it in.
- Our advice: because the two years are practically identical, let the color, trim and out-the-door price decide, not the model year.
About this comparison: the 2027 Kona's design has not been revised from the 2026, so the two look the same; the photos on this page show the 2027. Changes come from Hyundai's 2027 Kona update list; prices from Hyundai's 2027 price sheet (July 29, 2026) and its 2026 price sheet (December 19, 2025); dimensions from the 2027 specifications; and mileage from fueleconomy.gov. All prices are MSRPs before destination. Release timing and NYC driving advice are in our 2027 Kona price and MPG guide for NYC drivers.
2026 vs 2027 Kona at a Glance
| Item | 2026 Kona | 2027 Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Second generation (since 2024) | Carried over, no design revision |
| Trims | SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, Limited | Same four |
| Base engine | 2.0L four, 147 hp, IVT | Same |
| Turbo engine | 1.6L turbo, 190 hp, 195 lb-ft, 8-speed | Same |
| EPA mpg, combined | 31 (2.0 FWD) · 28 SE AWD, 27 other 2.0 AWD · 28 (1.6T FWD) · 26 (1.6T AWD) | 31 (2.0 FWD) · 27 (2.0 AWD) · 28 (1.6T FWD) · 26 (1.6T AWD) |
| Idle Stop and Go on SE | Yes | Dropped |
| Ambient lighting | SEL Premium and Limited | Limited only |
| MSRP range (FWD) | $25,500–$32,650 | $25,500–$32,535 |
| MSRP range (AWD) | $27,000–$34,150 | $27,000–$34,035 |
| AWD option | $1,500, all trims | $1,500, all trims |
| Destination | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| Kona Electric | Not offered in the US | Not announced |
| IIHS | Top Safety Pick+ | Top Safety Pick+ |
Price a 2026 and a 2027 Kona Side by Side
Share the trim, color and drivetrain you have in mind, and a Plaza Hyundai product specialist will send back which 2026 and 2027 Konas are available and what each costs with this month's offers. No deposit, no obligation, no middlemen.
What Changed for 2027?
Two equipment items, according to Hyundai's own change list:
- No more Idle Stop and Go on the SE. The system that switches the engine off at red lights is deleted from the base model. With front-wheel drive the 2.0-liter stays at 31 mpg combined, but the SE with AWD slips from 28 to 27, the same as the other 2.0-liter AWD trims.
- Ambient lighting moves up to the Limited. On the 2026 it started at the SEL Premium; on the 2027 you need the top trim to get it.
Beyond that, the 2027 is the 2026 Kona. The design was not revised: the full-width LED light bar, the black wheel-arch cladding, the 171.3-inch length and the 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space all carry over, as do the twin 12.3-inch displays and Hyundai SmartSense safety features. IIHS applies its Top Safety Pick+ to 2024 through 2027 Konas.
Kona Electric: Is It Back for 2027?
Not officially, as of November 4, 2026. The Kona Electric skipped the 2026 model year in the US, and Hyundai's US media site still lists 2025 as the latest Kona Electric; the 2027 Kona price sheet covers only the gas models. Reports such as Autoblog's (October 16, 2026) expect it to return as a single SE trim with the 48.6-kWh battery, a 133-hp motor and roughly 200 miles of range, at an estimated $34,000, but Hyundai has not confirmed the trim, range, price or on-sale date. For reference, the last US version, the 2025 Kona Electric, started at $32,975 and offered up to 261 miles on the long-range SEL and Limited. Ask us before you plan around a 2027 Kona Electric; we will tell you as soon as Hyundai releases order details.
Trims and N Line: Which 2027 Kona Should You Choose?
The N Line is gone, and it is not returning for 2027. Hyundai dropped it when it reorganized the lineup for 2026, splitting the old SEL into the SEL Sport and SEL Premium, according to Cars.com. Today's ladder has four steps:
- SE ($25,500): 147-hp 2.0-liter, 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the core SmartSense safety suite.
- SEL Sport ($26,825): the same 2.0-liter, plus 18-inch alloy wheels (17s on the SE), heated gloss-black mirrors, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charging, LED interior lights and front auto up/down windows.
- SEL Premium ($28,425): the first trim with the 190-hp 1.6-liter turbo and eight-speed automatic, plus 19-inch wheels and H-Tex upholstery; it loses ambient lighting for 2027.
- Limited ($32,535): adds a sunroof, Bose audio, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist and, now exclusively, ambient lighting.
Any trim can be ordered with HTRAC all-wheel drive for $1,500. If your drive is mostly city streets, the 2.0-liter trims are the efficient choice; if you merge onto the BQE or the Belt Parkway every day, the turbo, with 43 more horsepower, justifies the move to the SEL Premium. See how the Kona compares with its bigger sibling in Hyundai Kona vs Tucson.
2026 vs 2027 Kona Prices
| Trim | Engine | 2026 FWD | 2027 FWD | 2027 AWD | 2027 vs 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | 2.0L | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 | No change |
| SEL Sport | 2.0L | $26,675 / $26,825 | $26,825 | $28,325 | Matches later 2026 builds |
| SEL Premium | 1.6L turbo | $28,550 / $28,425 | $28,425 | $29,925 | Matches later 2026 builds |
| Limited | 1.6L turbo | $32,650 / $32,535 | $32,535 | $34,035 | Matches later 2026 builds |
In practice the 2027 costs the same as a late-build 2026 before destination, and $50 more delivered. Four premium paints cost $500 on the 2027: Cyber Gray Metallic, Ultimate Red Metallic, Soultronic Orange Pearl and Neoteric Yellow. Because the stickers line up, incentives decide which year is cheaper, so check current Hyundai incentives and lease specials, apply for financing and get a trade-in value first.
| Powertrain | EPA combined | Gallons a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L FWD | 31 mpg | 387 | $1,703 |
| 2.0L AWD (2027, and 2026 except SE) | 27 mpg | 444 | $1,956 |
| 2026 SE AWD with Idle Stop and Go | 28 mpg | 429 | $1,886 |
| 1.6L turbo FWD | 28 mpg | 429 | $1,886 |
| 1.6L turbo AWD | 26 mpg | 462 | $2,031 |
Buy a 2026 or a 2027 Kona?
With the same design and engines, near-identical mileage and practically the same stickers, the model year hardly matters. A leftover 2026 is worth a look if you want ambient lighting without paying for a Limited, or if the dealer discount is larger than on a 2027. A 2027 makes sense when the offers are equal, since a newer model year usually helps at trade-in time. If you are holding out for a Kona Electric, wait for Hyundai's official announcement, or compare the Ioniq 5 in our Hyundai Ioniq trims guide.
Still deciding? If you need more room, read Hyundai Kona vs Tucson; if you want something smaller and cheaper, see Hyundai Venue vs Kona; and for a model that did change for 2027, see 2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Tucson: Buy Now or Wait.
Shop More Brands at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Hyundai is one of the Plaza Auto Mall showrooms, a family business on Nostrand Avenue since 1975. Because the stores are side by side, you can test a Kona and then a Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross or Kia Seltos on the same trip.
2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Kona: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 2026 and 2027 Hyundai Kona?
Very little. The 2027 is a carry-over with no design revision: the SE drops Idle Stop and Go (so the SE AWD is rated 27 mpg instead of 28), ambient lighting becomes Limited-only, and destination rises $50 to $1,650. Engines, trims and sticker prices match the late-2026 Kona.
Is the Kona Electric coming back for 2027?
Hyundai has not officially announced a 2027 Kona Electric for the US as of November 4, 2026. Reports expect a single SE version with about 200 miles of range at an estimated $34,000, but the details are unconfirmed. The last US model was the 2025 Kona Electric.
Is the 2027 Kona more expensive?
Only by the $50 destination increase. The 2027 lists from $25,500 for the SE to $32,535 for the Limited before destination, the same as Hyundai's later 2026 price sheet; AWD is still a $1,500 option on every trim.
Free home delivery within a 25-mile radius. Plaza Hyundai will bring your new or pre-owned Hyundai to you, free within a 25-mile radius of our Nostrand Avenue showroom. Our service department also picks up and drops off cars across New York City.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryTest-Drive a Kona at Plaza Hyundai
Stop by Plaza Hyundai at 2726 Nostrand Ave to drive a Kona with the 2.0-liter or the turbo, and compare 2026 and 2027 deals on the spot. Family-owned Plaza Auto Mall has served New York since 1975 and delivers free within a 25-mile radius. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Call (800) 556-2369 or browse the inventory below.
*MSRP excludes destination ($1,600 for 2026, $1,650 for 2027), taxes, title and registration fees. Pricing and equipment from Hyundai Motor America (2026 price sheet of December 19, 2025; 2027 price sheet of July 29, 2026; 2027 update list). Photos show the 2027 Kona, whose design is unchanged from 2026. Fuel economy is EPA-estimated (fueleconomy.gov); actual mileage will vary. Kona Electric details are unconfirmed reports. See dealer for details.
Hyundai Kona Inventory at Plaza Hyundai
Below you will find every new Kona at Plaza Hyundai, each listing showing its model year, trim, drivetrain and Plaza price. Tap Confirm availability on the one you want or call (800) 556-2369. Free delivery within a 25-mile radius.
