Hyundai’s 2027 Kona Spills Its Secrets: Boxier, Bolder, and Borrowing from the Ioniq Family

Hyundai’s second-generation Kona only hit the streets a few years ago, but the automaker is already readying a full-on overhaul for 2027. Spy photographers caught a completely undisguised Kona prowling the streets of Korea, and the sheetmetal tells a clear story: this thing is taller, squarer, and wears a more mature face.

Gone is much of the plastic cladding, replaced by clean surfaces that nod heavily toward the Ioniq EV lineup. It’s a look that blends rugged SUV attitude with modern minimalism.

Underneath that new skin, Hyundai appears to be making a strategic play. Word on the street is that the Kona and the Creta will merge into a single global model, a logical consolidation given how close they already are in size. There’s also talk that the architecture could find its way under the next Chevrolet Tracker, part of a broader agreement with General Motors.

The front end keeps the split-headlight arrangement but shrinks the main beams and thickens the full-LED bar. The profile is simpler, with a straight beltline and a more upright rear, while a two-tone paint effect adds some visual pop.

Inside, expect a digital cockpit inspired by the Ioniq 3, running Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment on Google Android. Physical buttons stay for key functions, thankfully. The Kona’s footprint may grow slightly, bringing more passenger and cargo space. 6-liter, and possibly a fully electric version or a range-extender setup.

The unified third-generation model is expected to debut within months as a 2027 offering, slotting between the Bayon and Tucson in Europe and taking on the VW T-Roc. Toyota C-HR, and Mazda CX-30.