Eight Great Features of the 2026 Hyundai Kona

If you’re looking for a small SUV that’s efficient and easy to park while still providing you with a solid amount of cargo space, the Kona should be at the top of your list. As your trusted Hyundai dealer near Mundelein, we here at Gurnee Hyundai know the Kona quite well, and we know that there’s a lot to love about this subcompact model. Today, we’re going to share eight things that make the 2026 model of this SUV a perfect fit for drivers like you looking for a little car for big adventures.

#1 – Configurable Interior

The Kona may be small on the outside, perfect for maneuvering in crowded parking garages or parking on busy city streets, but it gives you plenty of space to work with on the inside. Its height and layout give you plenty of room for passengers to sit comfortably and enjoy the ride, whether you’re in a carpool or like to cruise around Mundelein with friends. The 25.5 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the back seats gives everyone plenty of space to bring their stuff along.

If you’re on your own or heading out with just a front passenger along for the ride, you can fold the rear seats down to unlock 63.7 cubic feet of cargo volume. This is enough room to transport bulky items like furniture or appliances, so you can avoid pricey delivery fees. It also makes it easy to pack for a long road trip, an outdoor excursion, or an airport run. From errands to adventures, the Kona has your back.

#2 – Wireless Tech

Cables are helpful, but they can certainly be a pain. They’re easy to lose and easy to break, and when you’re in a hurry on a busy morning, then fiddling with them can feel like a real chore, especially during the winter when you have to handle them with freezing fingers. Luckily, the Kona has several wireless features onboard that let you cut the cords while still using your smartphone to stay connected, entertained, & headed in the right direction.

All trims of the 2026 Kona come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These features let you use the apps on your phone to navigate, play music, text hands-free, and more. Upgrade to any trim above the base SE, and you’ll also enjoy wireless device charging, truly freeing you from the need to clutter up the cabin with cables.

#3 – Hyundai SmartSense

The Kona’s tech does more than help you connect your smartphone cable-free; it can also keep you safe while you’re out on the road. Every trim features the SmartSense suite of driver-assist features. Even the most affordable option comes standard with helpful features like:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Cyclist & Junction Turning Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Safe Exit Warning

Together, this collection of sensors and alerts helps you stay aware of your surroundings and avoid danger everywhere from the streets of downtown Mundelein to busy Interstates.

Upgrade to a higher trim level, and you will get even more advanced features.

• Blind-Spot View Monitor lets you know at a glance whether a vehicle is in your blind spot.
• Parking Distance Warning makes parallel parking a breeze.
• Surround View Monitor provides a 360-degree view of the area around your vehicle, so you can maneuver in tight spaces with complete confidence.

#4 – Efficient Engine Options

While the Kona hybrid may have the most efficient powertrain in the lineup, the more affordable gas-powered model is nothing to sneeze at when it comes to sipping fuel. The SE and SEL Sport trims come with a 147-horsepower engine that delivers an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined, letting you drive around Mundelein, commute to Chicago, or even head out on an epic road trip without worrying about how often you’ll have to stop at the gas station. While the 190-horsepower turbo option on the SEL Premium and Limited trims is less efficient at 28 MPG combined, it provides more power for a more engaging driving experience.

#5 – HTRAC All-Wheel Drive

When snow falls on Mundelein, roads become tricky terrain, and a little extra control can make a big difference in whether or not you can drive with confidence. Luckily, you can opt for all-wheel drive on the Kona and get extra traction. In addition to snow days, this can also come in handy on wet roads, and if you head out into more rural areas, it can also be an asset for dirt roads and gravel driveways.

HTRAC all-wheel drive is an available option across all trims of the 2026 Kona lineup, so you don’t have to upgrade to any particular trim in order to get it. All drivers deserve the power to choose between the efficiency of front-wheel drive and the extra traction of all-wheel drive.

#6 – Ambient Interior Lighting

There are plenty of great features that are available across all or most of the Kona’s trim levels. But as you might imagine, there are some extra touches reserved for the higher-level trims. There are plenty of tangible comforts that you can get by upgrading to a higher trim, like heated seats, ventilated seats, a more configurable power-adjustable driver seat, and more. But other features are just for fun—a cherry on top that brings the Kona from great to incredible.

Ambient interior lighting comes standard on the SEL Premium and Limited trims, and it lets you make the cabin your own. At night, you can get more than just light to see by—you get mood lighting that lets you change the personality of the space to match your own personal taste. This extra touch can be just the thing to turn a late drive from a slog into an enjoyable experience.

#7 – Hands-Free Smart Liftgate

Upgrade all the way up to the Kona Premium, and you get extra convenience features that can make your life easier every day. A great example of this is the hands-free smart liftgate. Whether your hands are full of groceries, occupied by a heavy package, or busy wrangling squirming kids, opening a liftgate the old-fashioned way can be a struggle. With the auto open function, though, it’s as easy as walking to the back of the Kona with the key fob in your pocket. These are the little luxuries that make the top-tier Kona trims stand out from the pack.

#8 – Sharp Style

Clearly, the 2026 Kona has a lot to offer Mundelein drivers, from an efficient engine and comfortable cabin to a wide variety of features to help you drive with confidence and enjoy the ride. Essentially, the Kona can tackle just about anything life might throw at you. As an added bonus, it looks great while doing it.

Small SUVs are very popular, but a lot of them look very similar to each other. When your vehicle blends in with the others around it, it can make it difficult to find your ride in a crowded parking lot and make driving feel less exciting. The 2026 Kona stands out with sharp, futuristic styling that lets you make an entrance wherever you go. Come and check it out for yourself here at Gurnee Hyundai; we know you’ll like what you see.

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