Hyundai rewrites its lineup: new Kona, Tucson on the way and a Santa Fe that drives like an EV

© A. Krivonosov

Hyundai is expanding its range after a run of strong sales, with several new models lined up for the 2027 model year. The list includes refreshed mainstream cars, a new compact electric vehicle and a Santa Fe with an EREV powertrain — a format aimed at drivers who want the EV experience without being tied to charging stations.

The Elantra is due for a scheduled update. The sedan will likely get redesigned front and rear ends along with an updated interior. No major mechanical overhaul is expected: the regular versions will keep their current engines. But there’s some intrigue around the Elantra N — Hyundai may be lining up a new engine for the sporty version.

The Ioniq 3 looks like the most logical affordable EV: a compact hatchback with more than 480 km of range and decent power. There’s a catch, though — it hasn’t been announced for the US. That’s odd, because the market is short on affordable electric cars with usable range, not on expensive crossovers.

The Kona is also in for changes. Production of the 2026 Kona EV was paused due to an oversupply of 2025 cars, but the next generation could be more interesting. Expect a sharper design, a cabin with new electronics, a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid and an updated electric version. Hyundai clearly wants the small crossover to look closer to its bigger SUVs rather than a tidy city car.

The biggest news is the Santa Fe EREV. The setup runs on electric motors, while the gasoline engine works as a generator for the battery. The car can be plugged in, but if the battery runs flat, a regular fill-up at the pump is enough. The expected range is around 900 km. For a family crossover, that’s close to an ideal compromise: electric drive around town, no anxiety at the charger on a long trip.

The Tucson is in line for serious changes too. The crossover could get a boxier body, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, and later even a Tucson N with a hybrid setup of around 295 hp. But if Hyundai really drops the pure gasoline versions, the starting price could climb noticeably.

Hyundai is now playing on several fields at once: conventional sedans, hybrids, EVs and EREVs. The most interesting move isn’t another screen on the dashboard — it’s the attempt to give the buyer an electric drive without total dependence on the charging infrastructure.