Massive changes for popular small SUV: 2027 Hyundai Kona could be a next-gen model rather than a facelift as test mule spotted in Korea of Kia Seltos, MG ZS & Chery Tiggo 4 rival - report

Hyundai’s Kona, now Australia’s best-selling small SUV, is set for a deeper upgrade than first expected, if a test mule spotted in its South Korean home market is anything to go by.

Spotted by South Korean YouTubers, ShortsCar a camouflaged version of the the incoming new Kona has significant design changes more in line with a next-generation offering than the facelift it was expected to be.

Among the changes highlighted by the channel, there’s a completely new light signature at the front, an even boxier profile, as well as a completely new roofline and door shapes.

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The Korean YouTubers point out that the test mule under scrutiny must be a Kona as it has markers on its wheels indicating it is a test model for the European market, where other models (like the smaller Creta or Venue) are not sold.

The wheels also carry the expected code-name of the upcoming next-gen offering, SX3.

As ShortsCar points out, this Kona test mule has many of the design signatures of the Crater concept car Hyundai displayed in 2025. This is indicated by the boxy bonnet features, new light profile, bulges over the rear wheel arches which appear to include the rear light clusters, and a pronounced spoiler piece over the tailgate.

Interestingly the spotted car also features active aero pieces, and very short overhangs. There are also sporty blacked-out 18-inch wheels and sunken aerodynamic door handles.

Hyundai Crater concept

Korean media is also speculating the Kona will launch Hyundai’s upcoming Pleos Connect operating system from the Korean giant’s recently-established dedicated software brand, designed to lean into the ‘software defined vehicle’ concept.

The Pleos Connect suite was shown in 2025 on what now appears to be a concept version of what could be the Kona’s new interior. The brand earmarked a quarter two, 2026 launch for the suite, and expects it to be available on “20 million vehicles by 2030".

Based on Android Automotive, Pleos Connect is designed to completely overhaul the in-car software and will feature a refreshed interface, deeper over-the-air features (with the ability to tweak drivetrain features with a software update), new developer and fleet management tools, and the ability to collect mass amounts of data to train Hyundai’s future self-driving tech.

Hyundai Pleos Connect preview

Expect to learn more about the next-generation Kona imminently if it expects to meet its international launch window of mid-2026.

Such a revolutionary change so soon after the launch of the existing Kona is also a risk for Hyundai. The small SUV was the top-selling small SUV in Australia last year, no doubt helped by a diverse powertrain offering and price points.

It's priced from just $33,700 before on-road costs with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the fuel-efficient hybrid is $36,950. It is available in fully electric form, starting from $54,000, with the range topping out with the Electric N-Line Premium at a whopping $71,000.

Hyundai has emerged as a hybrid hero, taking second position last year for hybrid sales in Australia, tallying 28,819 units. This is double the previous year, and a positive sign for the Korean brand as its major models are nearly all more than 50 per cent hybrid by sales.

However, its lack of solid EV sales (only two per cent of Hyundais sold in 2025 were EVs) thanks to its relatively expensive electric models meant the brand still managed to attract a penalty under Australia’s tough New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which tightens the vice on high emitters every year from now until 2030.