Verified vehicle record
2026 Hyundai Kona Electric
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric is a trimmed-down lineup: Hyundai eliminated most trims and discontinued the longer-range battery, but every one comes with dual 12.3-inch displays, four USB-C ports and wireless phone projection. Its cargo area is larger than the Kia Niro EV's and the Nissan Leaf's. NHTSA lists no recalls or complaints under the Kona Electric name.
Current archiveChecked Aug. 28, 2026United States specification
PowertrainSingle electric motor
Output133 hp
DrivetrainFWD
Seating5
Decision answers15Trim, ownership and verification
What changed on the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says Hyundai significantly truncates the Kona Electric lineup for 2026 by eliminating most of the small SUV's trims and discontinuing the longer-range battery, and that its saving grace is an ultra-low starting price. The 2026 Kona Electric comes standard with dual 12.3-inch displays, four USB-C ports and wireless phone projection, and its cargo area is larger than that of the Kia Niro EV and the newly redesigned Nissan Leaf.
AutoEdgeView (opens in a new tab) lists a single front-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, and says many rivals in this price range max out at 7.2 or 7.7 kW onboard charging, so the Kona Electric recovers range faster on a home Level 2 station.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA files Hyundai's 2026 recalls under the Kona name rather than Kona Electric, and lists no campaigns or owner complaints under the Kona Electric name for 2026. Three 2026 campaigns exist under the Kona name: 26V047000 covers an instrument panel software error on a list of Hyundai models, 26V069000 covers front steering knuckles that may crack on 2026 Kona vehicles, and 26V452000 covers a rear center seat belt buckle on 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles.
EVSeekers (opens in a new tab) notes that owners also report nuisance problems that never trigger a recall.
2026 Kona Electric against the Niro EV and Leaf
MotorTrend calls out the Kona Electric's cargo space as larger than both the Kia Niro EV and the redesigned Nissan Leaf, and its dual 12.3-inch screens are standard rather than an upgrade. The trade-off for 2026 is the lost longer-range battery, so buyers who want the most range should compare it directly against the Niro EV and Leaf before choosing.
Research paths
Move from the vehicle to the decision.
Compare like with like: the closest configuration, not an unrelated advertised maximum.
Record summary
What to know first
A distinct electric nameplate from the gas Kona (see kona). Real, sourced MY2026 reduction: Hyundai cut the Kona Electric down to a single SE trim with a single 48.6-kWh Standard Range battery, 133 hp/188 lb-ft, and roughly 200 miles of EPA-estimated range.
Model-year note
The electric Kona is a separate model from the gas Kona. The 2025 lineup (SE, SEL, N Line and Limited, with an optional 64.8-kWh Long Range battery rated at 261 miles with a 201-hp motor) does not survive into 2026, so the discontinued Long Range battery's 201-hp and 261-mile figures do not apply to the current lineup.
Trim map
How the lineup separates.
Trim descriptions identify the meaningful change from one trim to the next; individual options can still vary.
| Trim | Place in the lineup | Notable equipment |
|---|---|---|
| SE | Only trim | Single electric motor standard, 133 hp, 188 lb-ft, FWD, 48.6-kWh Standard Range battery, Roughly 200 mi EPA-estimated range, Only trim and only battery offered for MY2026 |
01
Only trim
SE
- Single electric motor standard, 133 hp, 188 lb-ft, FWD, 48.6-kWh Standard Range battery
- Roughly 200 mi EPA-estimated range
- Only trim and only battery offered for MY2026
Direct answers
15 questions tied to this model-year.
Each answer names its source.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Kona Electric come in?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric (subcompact electric SUV) is offered in one trim, SE.
Source: Hyundai
Q02What are the 2026 Kona Electric trims?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric comes in one trim, SE.
Source: Hyundai
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Kona Electric use?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric is built around Single electric motor, rated at 133 horsepower across its subcompact electric SUV body style.
Source: Hyundai specifications
Q04Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Kona Electric?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric is offered with FWD.
Source: Hyundai specifications
Q05What changed for the 2026 Kona Electric?
The electric Kona is a separate model from the gas Kona. The 2025 lineup (SE, SEL, N Line and Limited, with an optional 64.8-kWh Long Range battery rated at 261 miles with a 201-hp motor) does not survive into 2026, so the discontinued Long Range battery's 201-hp and 261-mile figures do not apply to the current lineup.
Source: Hyundai model-year information
Q06What torque do the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric's wheel nuts need?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric owner's manual gives a wheel-nut tightening torque of 79–94 lb-ft. Source: 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric owner's manual.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Q07What brake fluid, refrigerant and key-fob battery does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric use?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric owner's manual names DOT 4 brake fluid and R-1234yf air-conditioning refrigerant. Source: 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric owner's manual.
Source: Manufacturer owner's manual
Q08What is the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric's maximum cargo volume?
Maximum cargo volume is 63.7 cu ft. Documented for the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric in Web search aggregate (Edmunds/KBB/Hyundai research pages), read 2026-09-10.
Source: Manufacturer specifications and press materials
Q09Does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric come with roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is included for 5 years / unlimited miles. Documented for the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric in Hyundai USA Roadside Assistance, read 2026-09-10.
Source: Manufacturer specifications and press materials
Q10What does the Single electric motor engine in the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric deliver?
Horsepower: 133 hp. Torque: 188 lb-ft. These figures belong to the Single electric motor configuration of the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric, not to a trim name: one engine can appear on several trims and one trim can be offered with more than one engine, so match the engine on the window sticker before applying them. Documented 2026-09-10.
Source: Manufacturer specifications and press materials
Q11What trim levels does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric come in?
The lineup is reduced to the base SE Standard Range trim for 2026.
Source: U.S. News and evspecifications.com 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric research
Q12How much does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric cost?
The SE Standard Range is priced around $32,975.
Source: U.S. News and evspecifications.com 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric research
Q13Is the longer-range 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric still available?
No — the optional 201-horsepower motor and longer-range battery have been dropped for 2026, leaving only the 133-horsepower Standard Range setup.
Source: U.S. News and evspecifications.com 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric research
Q14How much cargo space does the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric have?
27 cubic feet, with seating for up to five.
Source: U.S. News and evspecifications.com 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric research
Q15What is the warranty on a new Hyundai?
5 years/60,000 miles basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain coverage; the powertrain warranty does not transfer to a subsequent owner.
Source: Hyundai manufacturer warranty documentation
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Move from the guide to the VIN record.
Trim research establishes the marketed lineup. These primary-source paths resolve recall applicability, manufacturer-submitted identity fields and exact EPA configuration data.
01 · NHTSARatings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck unresolved safety recalls by VINOfficial remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAResolve the exact fuel-economy configuration1984–current browser →
Source trail
Evidence behind the record
01
Hyundai Kona Electric official model pageManufacturer lineup, equipment and specifications
↗ (opens in a new tab)02FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataEPA-certified configuration and fuel-economy records
↗ (opens in a new tab)03NHTSA vehicle data and recallsVIN attributes, safety campaigns and ratings
↗ (opens in a new tab)Specifications and pricing can change after publication. Critical purchasing decisions should be confirmed against the exact vehicle window sticker or manufacturer build record.