Hyundai is significantly reducing the Kona Electric lineup by eliminating most of its trims | Carscoops

      The lineup of the once-promising electric vehicle has been significantly reduced for 2026, leaving only one unimpressive trim to compete against stronger rivals.

      Hyundai has eliminated 75 percent of the Kona Electric models for the 2026 model year.

      The only remaining option is the base SE trim featuring the Standard battery. This variant of the crossover offers a lackluster range of just 200 miles.

      The Kona Electric does not possess enough appeal to be part of the Ioniq family, indicating that Hyundai is stepping away from the budget-friendly EV segment. This decision has severely affected the 2026 model, which has been largely depleted.

      While Hyundai has only provided a few preliminary details, most of the lineup is no longer in production. As part of this reduction, the SEL, Limited, and N Line trims have been discontinued. Therefore, the only option left is the base Kona Electric SE, which is only available with the Standard Range battery.

      Although the automaker has not yet released specifications for 2026, they are expected to be similar to last year's model. This suggests that the SE will feature a disappointing 48.6 kWh battery pack, offering just 200 miles (322 km) of range. This is significantly lower by 103 miles (166 km) compared to the 2026 Nissan Leaf, which is priced at $2,985 less than the 2025 Kona Electric.

      In terms of powertrain, the model is likely to retain a familiar front-mounted motor delivering 133 hp (99 kW / 135 PS) and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) of torque. Coupled with a sluggish 100 kW DC fast charging capability, the Kona resembles more of a compliance vehicle than a contemporary electric vehicle.

      This could lead to challenges, especially with the upcoming Leaf and the revitalized Chevrolet Bolt. However, the 2026 Kona Electric does feature a “larger console tray,” so that is a small improvement.