Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Kona.
The 2026 Hyundai Kona pairs an automatic (AV-S1) transmission with EPA-rated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, positioning it as a practical and efficient compact option in Hyundai's lineup. Early owner feedback is encouraging, with just six total complaints logged so far and three recalls, the most notable issue centering on the electrical system. Looking at the model's full complaint history from 2018 through 2026, this year represents a dramatic improvement over the 2019 peak of 185 complaints, marking the lowest complaint total across the entire run and suggesting Hyundai has largely addressed the issues that plagued earlier generations.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S1) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 26 / 29 / 27 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Kona of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Limited 1.6L Turbo I-4 | 7.60 sec | 15.90 sec | 190 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | Electric Limited Elec 150-kW 64.8-kWh | 7.00 sec | 15.50 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2024 | Electric Limited Elec 150-kW 64.8-kWh | 7.10 sec | 15.50 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2024 | Electric Limited Elec 150-kW 64.8-kWh | 7.10 sec | 15.60 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2024 | N Line 1.6L Turbo I-4 | 7.50 sec | 15.80 sec | 190 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | N Line 1.6L Turbo I-4 | 7.60 sec | 15.80 sec | 190 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | Limited 1.6T HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 190 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | Limited 1.6T HTRAC 1.6L Turbo I-4 | 8.30 sec | 16.40 sec | 190 hp | AWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Hyundai Kona sits at the tail end of its generation's lifecycle, benefiting from a dramatic decline in federal complaints from a peak of 185 in 2019 down to just 6 in 2026. While overall complaint volume and Technical Service Bulletins dropped to their lowest points—5 TSBs in 2026 compared to 94 in 2018—recall activity notably spiked to 3 campaigns in 2026, tying 2024 for the highest count in the generation's history. The minimal 2026 complaint data lacks a specified root cause, with single reports scattered across the Electrical System, Service Brakes, Unknown Or Other, and Vehicle Speed Control categories, alongside one crash complaint and zero fire complaints. This late-generation arc implies most early-production bugs have been resolved, though the elevated recall count indicates the manufacturer is still proactively addressing specific systemic issues. Given the historically low complaint volume, the 2026 model is a good year to buy, provided you verify that all three outstanding recalls have been properly completed prior to purchase.
All 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata… Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact…
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai…
Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTN DL | 2026-04-10 | Air Bags | The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of… |
| DTN DCS | 2026-04-10 | Air Bags | The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety… |
| 26-01-035H TSB | 2026-04-07 | Electrical System | Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using… |
| 26-AD-001H TSB | 2026-02-24 | Exterior Lighting | Some 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain… |
| 25-BD-012H TSB | 2025-11-05 | Exterior Lighting | This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 26 city / 29 highway / 27 combined mpg.