Hyundai will not produce a 2026 model year of the Kona Electric, its smallest and most affordable electric vehicle. The automaker says current inventory of the 2025 model will meet consumer demand in the meantime, with production scheduled to resume in June 2026 for the 2027 model year.
EV Market Adjustments
This decision reflects a broader trend in the EV market, where automakers are reassessing their electric lineups as demand moderates and economic conditions shift. Hyundai initially launched the Kona Electric in 2019 as a conversion of its existing gasoline-powered Kona, but with newer EVs built on dedicated platforms—like the Ioniq 5—the original EV model is now on hold.
Sales Decline & Limited Availability
While Hyundai maintains sufficient inventory, data suggests otherwise: nationwide listings for new Kona Electrics are limited, with just 25 units listed on Car and Driver’s shopping tool and 77 on Cars.com. Sales figures for the electric variant are not broken out from total Kona sales, but estimates indicate a 41% drop in sales last year, with only 3,011 units sold.
What to Expect in 2027
When the Kona Electric returns in 2027, it will likely be limited to the base SE trim. This model includes a 48.6-kWh battery pack with 200 miles of range and a 133-hp front-wheel-drive system. This pause adds to a growing list of EVs facing delays or cancellations, including the Acura ZDX and Volkswagen ID.Buzz, as the EV market faces headwinds, including the recent elimination of the federal EV tax credit.
The pause in Kona Electric production signals a broader adjustment within the EV market. Automakers are responding to evolving consumer behavior and economic pressures, recalibrating their electric vehicle strategies accordingly.
