- The third-gen Kona arrives by 2028 with an all-new exterior design.
- Buyers could get ICE, hybrid, EV, and possibly a range-extender setup.
- The cabin moves to Hyundai’s tablet-style Pleos Connect screen.
As hard as it may be to believe, it’s been three and a half years since the second-generation Hyundai Kona was unveiled, and work is well underway on the next-generation model. Tipped to arrive by the 2028 model year at the very latest, the new Kona will look very different than the one we’re familiar with.
As these spy shots show, Hyundai isn’t quite ready yet to pull off all the next model’s camouflage, but this prototype still has slightly fewer faux panels hiding its final design. It appears the new model will have a split headlight design like the current one, though the full-width LED light bar could be ditched in favor of pixelated daytime running lights.
Read: Hyundai’s 2027 Kona Drops The Pixel Quirks For A Boxier Look
Positioned below these DRLs will be the main headlamps, likely not housed within the same triangular-shaped area as the existing model. Overall, the front-end of the third-gen Kona should be a little more refined and understated, rather than looking a little wacky just for the sake of it.
Boxy And Sharp
As with several other Hyundai models, the new Kona will also have a boxier shape than its predecessors. This is especially evident with the sharp A-pillars and side windows, which are free from any curves. New wing mirrors are also visible on this prototype, complete with redesigned turn signals.
Annoyingly, Hyundai’s engineers have done an excellent job of hiding the rear of the new Kona, so it’s hard to say what it’ll look like. Based on the front design, we suspect the rear will have fewer curves than the existing Kona and will also sport new LED taillights.
An All-New Cabin
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We haven’t been able to snap any good photos of the Kona’s interior yet. One image featured here does show a large screen inside, but it appears to be there purely for testing purposes, suction-cupped to the windshield. When the new Kona launches, it’s expected to be the latest Hyundai model to feature the Pleos Connect infotainment system, which consists of a large tablet-style display in the center of the dashboard.
Carscoops understands that the new Kona will be based on Hyundai’s latest K3 platform and will be sold in combustion, hybrid, and all-electric configurations. It’s possible that a range-extender hybrid could be added to the range, although this has yet to be confirmed.