The next-gen Hyundai Kona, due for a refresh in 2027, has just been spotted in Korea with zero camouflage, and it's a big departure from the quirky little crossover we know today. Hyundai's gone for a much more mature look this time, with clean lines and a full-width LED light bar stretching across the front. The daytime running lights are now baked right into that thin horizontal strip, giving the car a wider, more planted, SUV-esque stance.The grille has also been simplified massively. Gone is the cascading grille design, instead, you get a smooth, mostly closed-off fascia with minimal openings, a look that seems inspired by the Ioniq 5. The body itself is sharper and more geometric than the outgoing model, and even the fenders have swapped their rounded wheel arches for angular cladding. Basically, it looks less like a quirky subcompact crossover and more like a shrunk-down version of Hyundai's bigger SUVs.2026 Hyundai KonaHyundaiClosing the Gap Between the Bayon and Tucson The Kona sits in the same compact crossover bracket as the Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30. Reports suggest it'll now match the Hyundai Creta at 4,350mm or (171.3 inches) in length — for comparison, the new Kia Seltos comes in slightly longer at 4,430mm (174.4 inches). That puts the new Kona neatly between the entry-level Bayon and the larger Tucson (due for an update) in Hyundai's lineup. There's also talk that Hyundai wants to eventually merge the Kona and Creta into one global model.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn the powertrain side, expect the usual mix, petrol engines, a hybrid, and a full EV, though exact specs haven't been revealed yet. Inside, look forward to bigger screens, the new Pleos Connect infotainment system running on Android, and thankfully, physical buttons for key functions are expected to stick around.Overall, the new Kona is shaping up to be bigger, more premium, tech-loaded, and available with a broader spread of powertrains than before.Hyundai Kona 2027Tamamen sızdı .Segment büyüdü stil Ioniq 'leşti.Pleos gelecek https://t.co/tXX8fNP2po pic.twitter.com/TNuBdBLW6e— Elvis Will Vexillary 🔋 (@EWVexillary) July 21, 2026This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Gear section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.