Hyundai Kona Electric’s Surprise Update Is A Win For Nissan Leaf
Fountain Valley, CA – The competitive budget EV segment is heating up, with new entries like the much-improved Nissan Leaf and the upcoming Chevy Bolt challenging established players. However, Hyundai’s contender, the Kona Electric, is set to undergo a surprising and potentially detrimental change for the 2026 model year: Hyundai is discontinuing almost all Kona EV trims, leaving only the base SE model. This move unexpectedly strengthens the position of rivals like the Nissan Leaf.
Only the Base Trim Remains: A Significant Downgrade
For 2025, buyers can still choose from four Hyundai Kona Electric trims: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. However, Hyundai’s published information for the 2026 model confirms that the top three trims will be dropped, leaving only the SE. This decision is disappointing for several reasons:
- Limited Range: The remaining SE trim (starting at $32,975 for 2025) is equipped with a smaller 48.6-kWh battery, restricting its range to a mere 200 miles. This falls significantly short of competitors like the Nissan Leaf (303 miles) and the Chevy Equinox EV (319 miles).
- Reduced Performance: The Kona EV SE offers only 133 horsepower, a stark contrast to the 201 hp of other trims. In comparison, the Nissan Leaf provides up to 214 hp, and the Equinox EV boasts as much as 300 hp, making both considerably stronger performers.
- Fewer Features: Based on 2025 specifications, the Kona EV SE also lacks desirable features such as a power sunroof, a blind-spot view monitor, and upgraded seating upholstery, which were available on the higher trims.
Kona EV Now Less Appealing Than Rivals
Without the extended range, increased power, and advanced technology offered by the discontinued upper trims, the 2026 Kona EV SE becomes a less compelling option when pitted against rivals like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Equinox EV. While the SE is still a functional EV, its 200-mile range is considerably below what modern electric vehicle customers expect.
The exact reasons behind Hyundai’s decision to drastically cut the Kona EV lineup are unclear. Sales data for the Kona EV are often combined with conventional Kona sales, making it difficult to directly attribute the change to a lack of demand. However, an Electrek report from earlier this year did indicate that overall Kona EV exports from Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in Korea were significantly down compared to the previous year.
If the Kona EV SE could offer a better range and more power at the same price point, the reduced lineup for 2026 might be more acceptable. As it stands, this unexpected update leaves the Kona Electric outclassed by newer, more capable, and range-competitive alternatives like the Nissan Leaf, effectively handing a win to its rival in the budget EV segment.
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