Key Features of the 2026 Hyundai Kona

190-hp 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine

The available 190-hp 1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder transforms the KONA’s character with confident power for merging, passing, and weekend adventures. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission—complete with available paddle shifters on upper trims—the powertrain delivers smooth, responsive shifts that keep you in the sweet spot of the torque curve. Around metro roads near Detroit, this combination feels lively yet composed, with smart calibration that responds quickly without hunting for gears. Drivers stepping up from the baseline 2.0L will notice the extra punch immediately, particularly when joining fast-moving traffic or climbing rolling terrain. It’s performance tuned for real life—strong, efficient, and refined—helping the KONA feel right at home in city traffic and on longer drives alike.

HTRAC All Wheel Drive

Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive gives the KONA a sure-footed demeanor in rain, slush, and light snow while enhancing stability when roads are dry. The system actively helps distribute power for grip when you need it and agility when you want it, inspiring confidence in Michigan’s changeable seasons. On tight urban corners and freeway ramps, the chassis feels buttoned down and predictable, while on gravel two-tracks the KONA remains composed, channeling traction where it counts. For drivers who split time between daily commutes and weekend getaways, HTRAC All Wheel Drive adds all-weather capability without compromising the SUV’s easy, city-friendly dimensions.

12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation

The KONA’s available 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation anchors a high-tech cockpit that’s intuitive at a glance. Map guidance, audio, and vehicle information are rendered crisply with quick responses to inputs. The wide canvas makes it easy to read guidance and shortlist points of interest, while wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ simplify your daily routine. Combine it with the available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to create a panoramic information hub that moves key details into your natural line of sight. Add Bose® Premium Audio on Limited, and you’ve got a small SUV that feels surprisingly upscale on your daily commute and long weekend drives.

Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch

Available Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch turns a compatible smartphone into your key, letting you unlock, start, and share access with family or friends via compatible Android™, Google, or Apple® devices. It’s the kind of convenience that quickly becomes second nature—perfect for jogs along the Riverwalk or quick coffee runs when you’d rather leave a bulky key in your bag. Shareable access helps households and teams coordinate without juggling key rings, and because it integrates seamlessly with the KONA’s modern tech suite, it feels both future-forward and effortless from day one.

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)

Standard on Limited, Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) takes the stress out of tight spaces. With a press-and-hold on the Smart Key, your KONA can back into and pull out of a parking spot—even if you’re not inside. It’s an invaluable ally in crowded garages and narrow on-street parking, minimizing door-ding risk and making tricky maneuvers safer and simpler. Pair RSPA with Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), and you get a confidence trio that eases daily driving around construction zones, busy lots, and dense neighborhoods.