Thanks to spy shots, we’ve known for some time that the new Hyundai Kona would skip its usual facelift in favor of a full redesign inspired by the Crater concept, and now we have proof. Images taken in Korea by X (formerly Twitter) user Elvis Will Vexillary have leaked the new look, showing how the vehicle has become both more stylish and more bulky. It’s also set to undergo major changes inside with a new operating system, but more on that in a moment. For now, let’s take in the exterior design.
2027 Hyundai Kona Looks Less Awkward Than Before
The current Kona’s styling is not for everyone, with geometric shapes in every direction and body cladding breaking up the painted bodywork, but the new one is far more appealing. It’s not as aggressive as the Crater concept, but the front end is still completely new to the nameplate. It maintains a split headlight setup, but now the upper daytime running lights and indicator lights are part of a full-width bar populated by countless miniature pixel elements. There also appears to be a different lighting element below the badge, but it’s unclear what this is for. Lower down, the main beam headlights are housed in nearly rectangular housings, but with more body lines beneath.
In the middle of the fascia are what appear to be another two openings, potentially for radar and other sensors, but we’ll have to wait to see what these are for. As for the rest of the design, the floating roof effect is leaned into further, but the body is mostly traditional, unlike the current Kona. Sadly, we don’t get a look at the rear of the new Kona, but again, the Crater concept should provide some clues; expect a thin light bar with squared pixel elements stretching across the entire rear end.
Hyundai Kona Interior: PLEOS Infotainment Coming
automatta_/Instagram
We’ve already gotten a glimpse of the new Kona interior, and it will have a pair of screens alongside physical switchgear, much like the Hyundai Ioniq 3. The PLEOS layout is not unfamiliar to those who have spent time in a Neue Klasse BMW, with a central touchscreen handling infotainment, a thin strip display below the windshield providing driver info, and nothing behind the steering wheel. Unlike BMW, proper buttons are aplenty, which will further improve safety. Overall, the new Kona will be much more attractive, much more advanced, and reportedly a little bigger, but we’ll have to wait a few more months before a reveal explains all. The new Kona is expected to debut as a 2027 model, so answers will arrive soon.
About the author
Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog