2026 Hyundai Kona

The redesigned Kona feels more mature and substantial than the original model. This generation is larger, with more room for passengers and cargo. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder is shy on power and gets loud and buzzy when pushed, but it's mated to a well-tuned CVT that performs simulated upshifts. The up-level 1.6-liter turbo-four produces more oomph, but suffers from some low-speed hiccups. Front-wheel drive comes standard with all-wheel drive available. We found the firm ride more comfortable than before but the Kona has lost some handling sharpness, although it did well in our emergency handling test. Most controls are easy to use, including the touchscreen infotainment system. The twist-type electronic gear selector on higher trims takes some getting used to, but with practice it can be operated without looking at it. Upscale features such as a power driver's seat and power liftgate are available.