Hyundai is still working on the boxy replacement for the previously curvy and stylish Kona. The CarBuzz spy photographers have snapped the third-generation of the small crossover going through its hot weather testing in Spain, revealing more about what the brand has planned for the new model.
That plan is for the Kona to get a Crater look, one you’ll find across much of the company’s new lineup in the next few years.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
When it comes to design, Hyundai does two things very well. The first is the styling itself, with models that set trends and look much more expensive than their price tags suggest, and the second is variety. Right now, no two Hyundai models look the same. Even the Santa Cruz and the Tucson it’s based on look very different.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
Going forward, Hyundai seems to be changing that and this is the second example of it. It takes on the look of the Crater concept, but it’s very similar to the Santa Fe and even closer to the next-generation Tucson that should be revealed later this year. The Kona in these shots is very heavily camouflaged, but the important proportions and curves are all there. The first two Kona models were very curvy and cute, even with the second model’s ultra-thin LED pixel lighting.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
This one is upright and razor sharp. Even the tops of the doors are sharp angles, though the clamshell hood shows there will be at least some smooth edges.
Take a look at Hyundai’s Crater concept from 2025, then turn everything down by at least 25%, and you have this Kona. The same roofline that will clearly make hopping in the back seat a challenge, but none of the fenders that push out into the next parking space without adding any useful room inside. Fenders like those would have made the crossover less practical and more expensive, and neither of those things appeal to buyers in this segment.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
Hyundai’s intricate wheel design is unusual, but it will definitely stand out in a parking lot. The same goes for the body-color trim around the glass, which is normally gloss black or a matte silver on vehicles in this price range.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
The CarBuzz spies tell us to expect that the new model will use the 1.6-liter hybrid system from the latest Elantra to fill that fuel-sipping gap in its lineup. In the Elantra, it makes 139 horsepower, as this is not the turbo 1.6 from other Hyundai models. That 1.6T could show up, though, bringing its 190 hp along for the ride. Another possibility is Hyundai’s 2.0-liter 147-hp four-cylinder.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
We understand that Hyundai is skipping the usual mid-model facelift. The Kona was redesigned completely for 2024, which would suggest a refresh now and then a new model in 2030. This one, though, seems to be that brand-new vehicle, and it looks ready for a reveal late next year.
Hyundai Kona spy photo prototypeCarBuzz/Valnet
With Hyundai planning 36 new or updated models on the road between 2026 and 2030, we would have expected an update, not a new one earlier than usual. Developing that many new models isn’t cheap, but clearly Hyundai isn’t cutting R&D costs.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
No automaker is doing design as good as Hyundai right now, and we suspect Hyundai totally knows that. Its production cars have largely received praise, and the Crater concept turns heads as well. It’s not surprising to see Hyundai fast-tracking some bigger changes sooner, and it’s not like the company hasn’t done this before.
The Elantra got a very quick facelift in 2023, and a new model is already on deck. The changes paid off as Hyundai is enjoying strong Elantra sales right now. Pushing the Kona quickly into a new, more rugged direction could be a lucrative payoff for the brand as well.
