Why the Hyundai Kona Beat Out 16 rivals To Be KBB’s “Best Buy” Winner

One in 17. Those were the odds that the 2026 Hyundai Kona beat to be named the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) “Best Buy Award” in the Subcompact SUV category. Sixteen others didn’t make the cut. Oh…this is the third year in a row that the Hyundai Kona has been on top of the heap.

With four different trims (SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, Limited), and a starting price of $25,500, loads of standard safety and convenience feaures and ample cargo-carrying room, it’s easy to see why it beat the competition again this year. It also comes in an electric version. 

Here are some of the 2026 Kona’s winning features:

• 147-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (SE,SEL) or a 190-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine (SEL Premium, Limited).
• Great gas mileage, base engine gets combined 31 mpg, turbo engine gets 28 mpg.
• Available all-wheel drive
• Seats 5 – 4 adults comfortably; Great cargo capacity – 63.7 cu.ft. (rear seat folded). 
• Standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen – 12.3-inch digital driver information display in higher trims.
• “Tomorrowland Exterior – KBB calls the exterior styling “daring” and “radical and futuristic.” It’s actually adapted from the EV Kona. And, its “tidy size is a joy when parking.” Check colors ranging from black to Neoteric Yellow.
• Standard Hyundai SmartSense safety technology: Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following and Lane Keeping Assists, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Occupant Alert and High Beam Assist. Standard Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
• Standard heated front seats, 60/40 split fold-down seats, HD radio, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, remote keyless entry, wireless device charging, dual front and back USB ports, Bluelink® Connected Car System and Basic Connected Care.
• Limited trim has standard Bose Premium Audio, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control, Dynamic Voice Recognition and Wi-Fi hotspot. 
• Hyundai’s best-in-the-industry 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

“The 2026 Hyundai Kona sets a high bar in the subcompact SUV segment, redefining the quality, safety, and features a shopper can — and should — expect in a small, affordable SUV. It’s as likable and spunky as ever,” enthused KBB’s experts. 

SUVs have redefined what Coloradans want to drive. Where once there were only small sedans, now there’s an award-winning subcompact SUV choice. Schomp Hyundai’s client advisors would love to show you why it might just be your next dream car … or SUV.