The new Hyundai Kona leaks with a tougher look and a surprise inside

This news is about a car redesign, not a home energy upgrade, so it doesn't affect any energy-efficiency plans for your house. It's still worth a quick note if you're weighing an electric vehicle alongside home upgrades like a heat pump or added insulation, since EV charging can factor into your home's electrical setup.

Hyundai appears to be skipping a planned mid-cycle refresh of its Kona and moving straight to a full redesign for the next generation. Leaked images show a taller, boxier SUV look, a departure from the current Kona's smoother crossover styling, drawing comparisons to Hyundai's Crater Concept SUV and its IONIQ 5. The new model is also expected to get Hyundai's newer Pleos infotainment system, with screen options up to 14.6 inches, built on Android Automotive OS for a more app-based, customizable interface.

Hyundai hasn't confirmed powertrain details yet, but the current Kona comes in electric, hybrid, and gas versions, and the redesigned model is expected to keep that mix. Notably, Hyundai skipped a 2026 Kona EV, and the electric version of this redesigned model isn't expected until 2027 or 2028. If you're thinking about pairing an EV purchase with home electrical upgrades, that timeline is the main thing to keep in mind, since there's no new Kona EV on the market yet.