Land Rover’s baby Defender is back in front of our spy photographer’s lens, and you’d be forgiven for wondering what’s changed. The camouflage is still doing its job, the shape looks familiar, but there’s one very Defender-like detail we haven’t had such a good look at before. Yep, that’s a spare wheel hanging off the tailgate.

It might seem like a small detail, but the rear-mounted spare is a visual hallmark of both today’s Defender and the classic model that preceded it. Adding one to the compact SUV helps separate it from the endless stream of similarly sized premium crossovers, most of which have swapped spares for cans of tire foam in the pursuit of saving a few lbs – and a few g/km of CO2 as a result.

Same Bones As The Range Rover GT

SH Proshots

Unofficially dubbed the Defender Sport, though its true name is still under wraps, the newcomer goes in completely the opposite styling direction to JLR’s upcoming electric Range Rover GT. The pair share EMA architecture and running gear, but whereas the GT adopts a dramatically low, fastback profile, this SUV embraces an upright roof, squared-off tail and chunky proportions to maximize practicality and Defender attitude.

More: The Electric Range Rover Costs $25,000 More Than The Gas One And Tows A Ton Less

The EMA platform was conceived around electric power, with an 800-volt electrical system and rapid charging. Previous prototypes have supported that story with blanked-off grilles and no visible exhausts, and this one appears to follow the same recipe.

Hybrid Option Added

SH Proshots

But times have changed, and so has JLR’s plan. It openly acknowledged that the rush toward EVs hasn’t happened as quickly as anticipated (especially in the crucial US market) and that hybrids have proved surprisingly popular. So it’s updated the EMA architecture to also work with hybrid (but not plug-in) powertrains.

Whatever powers it, the baby Defender should have some interesting company when it arrives, potentially in 2027. Mercedes is preparing its own smaller G-Class, giving buyers two compact interpretations of some seriously recognizable off-road machinery.

There’s another familiar name headed its way too. China’s Chery has revived the Freelander, although the new model isn’t a Land Rover despite borrowing a badge and design cues strongly associated with the British brand’s past. But you won’t get a rear-mounted spare on the Freelander…

SH Proshots

Kia’s stellar year continues as the brand has set a new August sales record in the United States. Dealers moved 83,793 vehicles last month, which was 786 more than a year ago.

The brand didn’t just break one record either as the K4, K5, Carnival, Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride all posted their best August in history. Kia also noted hybrid sales were up 99%, which can largely be credited to high gas prices caused by the war in Iran.

More: Kia’s New EV3 Starts Under $30,000 And Undercuts Nissan Leaf

While consumers embraced hybrids to save at the pump, gas prices weren’t high enough to get them to switch to EVs. Sales of the EV6 tumbled 60% to 712 units, while the larger EV9 fell 33% to 1,789.

The big winner last month was the Sportage as Americans snapped up 18,723 of them. This was a slight increase from a year ago, but sales are up nearly 8.5% year-to-date.

The Sportage was followed by the affordable K4 (12,881) and Telluride (12,693). The latter was recently redesigned and consumers appear to be digging it as sales are up 16.7% year-to-date. This was undoubtedly aided by the introduction of a hybrid variant with its recent redesign.

Speaking of redesigned models, the 2027 Seltos appears to be off to a strong start as August sales surged 65.3% to 9,214 units. The classier crossover starts at $24,990 and will be followed by a hybrid variant later this year.

It’s also worth noting Kia was able to set a new monthly sales record despite the elimination of the Soul. That model found 5,548 buyers in August of 2025, while last month’s sales fell to zero.

Kia also has a few things to look forward to including the facelifted Niro and all-new EV3. The latter found six early adopters last month and should generate some interest thanks to a starting price of $29,890.

Kia August 2026 US Sales

Hyundai’s massive product push dominated their investor day event, but it wasn’t the only thing the company announced. Quite the opposite as the automaker talked about increasing production, ramping up autonomous driving efforts, and offering improved technology.

Starting with autonomous driving, the first Ioniq 5 Waymo robotaxis will be delivered in the fourth quarter and they’ll “enable an international expansion of robotaxi services as early as 2027.”

More: Hyundai Is Launching More Than 100 New Vehicles By 2030

Besides the Waymo effort, Hyundai-owned Motional will use Ioniq 5 robotaxis. They’re scheduled to begin commercial operations later this year in Las Vegas. Additional cities should then follow in 2027.

On the consumer front, “Hyundai Motor Group is standardizing its sensor architecture around the NVIDIA ecosystem so that data acquired by Hyundai Motor, Kia, 42dot, and Motional can be integrated and used to a single consistent standard.” This means learnings from one company can be applied to others.

Hyundai is also working to deploy its autonomous driving artificial intelligence, known as Atria AI, by the end of the year. It will eventually be used to power the company’s Level 2+ system, which arrives in 2028.

The automaker went on to say “Atria AI will be extended progressively across mass-produced vehicles, building a full lineup of autonomous driving capability from Level 2+ to Level 4.” Since Hyundai sells millions of vehicles annually, they’ll collect a ton of data, and this will be used to rapidly improve the AI’s self-driving capabilities and performance.

Improved EVs

Hyundai has been an electric vehicle pioneer and this experience is about to pay off as the company has developed its own battery cells. They “deliver more than double the output of the high-nickel cells … used previously, while cutting charging time by 40 percent.” The new cells will apparently debut in the upcoming Santa Fe or Genesis range-extended vehicle.

Starting next year, EVs will use new “mid-nickel NCM cells.” This will reduce battery costs by approximately 30%, while “maintaining optimal performance under real-world driving conditions.” Furthermore, the new batteries will have 30% more energy than equivalent LFP batteries of the same size.

Lastly, the company will improve its cloud-based battery management system by 2028. This will reportedly extend battery life by an average of 20%.

Amazon Partnership

Hyundai’s partnership with Amazon on Amazon Autos appears to be a success as they’ll expand listings to markets outside of the United States next year. Alexa built-in will also roll out across the Hyundai lineup, while Genesis models will follow.

Speaking of tech, Hyundai is relying on Amazon Web Services to accelerate their “cloud and AI capabilities.” Amazon is also said to be looking at using Hyundai fuel cell vehicles.

Increased Production Capacity

With more than 100 new models coming by 2030, Hyundai is ramping up their production capacity by 1.27 million units globally. North American plants will be able to build an additional 500,000 units, while Indian facilities add 320,000 units. Korean production will increase by 200,000 vehicles, while CKD sites will see their capacity grow by 250,000 units.

Focusing in on North America, Hyundai is increasing their local parts sourcing target to 80%. That’s up from 60% and the automaker confirmed there will be more than ten hybrids on the continent by 2030, which are produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.

Hyundai has announced plans to introduce more than 100 new or refreshed models by 2030. Seven new vehicles are coming in the next eight months and the automaker promises there will be more than 18 different entries into “new products and market segments.”

While there’s a lot to cover, the company used their 2026 CEO Investor Day to announce a major product offensive. It’s a global effort as there will be “58 launches in North America, 49 in Korea, 41 in Europe, 26 in India, and 22 in China.” We’ve already seen a number of these as Hyundai said they include the new Elantra, Tucson, and Ioniq 3.

More: Hyundai’s Radical New Tucson Makes The RAV4 Look Half-Asleep

They’ll be joined by a range-extended Santa Fe as well as an all-new global B-segment SUV. Europe will get a second B-segment model, while India will get an even smaller A-segment electric crossover.

The Santa Fe EREV arrives in the first half of 2027 and it’s expected to have a combined range of more than 600 miles (966 km). It will be built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and deliver an EV-like driving experience, but without “range and charging anxiety.”

Europe Is Getting Five New EVs

The company was largely coy on additional nameplates, but confirmed Europe will have a “fully electrified portfolio” that includes five all-new crossovers and light commercial vehicles. Hyundai hopes this will increase European EV sales from 116,000 units in 2025 to more than 420,000 units by 2030.

While Hyundai didn’t say much, they quietly revealed the two upcoming B-segment vehicles will be fully electric. They’ll be joined by a large D-segment electric crossover as well as two electric vans.

In India, a new electric crossover arrives in the fourth quarter with a next-generation infotainment system as well as a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. It will be followed by an ICE-powered mid-size SUV in the future.

A Chinese Turnaround With Fresh Product

Hyundai is “pursuing a turnaround” in China, which will be spearheaded by the Ioniq V. The model will be followed by electric and range-extended vehicles in 2027.

The B-SUV will be fully electric, while the C-SUV will offer electric and range-extended powertrains. The latter will provide up to 373 miles (600 km) of range overall.

They’ll eventually be followed by three D-segment vehicles including a sedan, crossover, and MPV. These will have Level 3 autonomous driving technology as well as what sounds like a next-generation powertrain.

Genesis Looks For Growth

Genesis’ revamp is being led by the new GV90 as well as the GV80 Hybrid. The company also confirmed plans for a range-extended SUV in 2027, which will deliver more than 640 miles (1,030 km) of range.

While Genesis was coy on specifics, a slide mentioned 22 launches from the luxury brand in North America alone. That’s nearly a third of the models coming to the continent, but the figure undoubtedly includes variants.

The luxury brand will also enter new markets including India and the Asia Pacific region in the near future. If everything goes according to plan, they’ll be in more than 40 countries by 2030 and have annual sales of 350,000. To put that number into perspective, Lexus sold 370,260 vehicles in the United States last year.

Getting back to Hyundai, the company will expand the N lineup and try to increase sales to 100,000 units annually by 2030. The automaker is also targeting so-called ‘white spaces,’ where they don’t have much of a presence and there’s “significant opportunities for growth.” To fill these voids, the company will launch body-on-frame vehicles including a midsize pickup.

The Hyundai N performance division has won over many automotive enthusiasts, and the company capitalized on its popularity with the softer and more affordable N Line variants. Now, Hyundai has confirmed plans to introduce a third performance tier positioned right in between, targeting high-volume segments.

The news was shared during Hyundai’s 2026 Investor Day event in Korea. Jose Munoz, Hyundai President and CEO, said that performance is a “profitable business” and “not just an emotional one”. He added that Hyundai N currently covers around 30% of the performance market, and they plan to go over 60% by 2030.

More: Hyundai’s IONIQ V Has Lambo Looks And 225 HP, So We Imagined The N

To do that, the N lineup will grow from the current five models to over seven. Those will be offered across 40 markets, targeting 100,000 sales per year by 2030, which is five times the 20,000 sales of 2025.

A New Family Of Performance Models

More importantly, Munoz said: “We are adding something between N and N Line: a new volume high-performance variant carrying over powertrain and parts from N, so a customer who wants that feeling every day on the way to work can have it without buying a track car.”

More: Hyundai Wants Soft Ride And Sharp Handling From One Clever Sway Bar

While the upcoming “High-Volume Performance” tier does not yet have a commercial nameplate, Australian media Drive fittingly described it as the “N Lite”. Judging from the CEO’s comments, Hyundai engineers could harvest components from the existing N models and repackage them with a greater focus on everyday usability.

In terms of aero and styling, differences between the N Line and the N are already subtle, so we expect the new series to follow a similar path, bringing more aggression compared to the standard Hyundai models. As for the powertrain, we expect a mix of electric and hybrid depending on the model.

Targeting Sales Growth

The CEO explained why they decided to expand its performance lineup: “N sold 20,000 units last year; N Line sold 161,000. This sits between them, and it is where the volume is.”

More: The New Elantra N Could Be The Poor Man’s RS6 Avant, But The Wagon Isn’t Happening

The automaker currently has five N and twelve N Line models worldwide, although the current i20 and i30 hot hatches will soon get discontinued and the Elantra sports sedan is about to enter a new generation.

More To Come, Including A RWD Surprise

Future additions include an entry-level performance SUV that could replace the discontinued Kona N, and a yet-unnamed model riding on a new front-engine, RWD/AWD architecture. The latter sounds exciting for driving enthusiasts and has the largest market-covering potential of 22% – at least according to Hyundai. However, the graph suggests it will be priced above the Ioniq 5 N and the Ioniq 6 N, so don’t expect it to come cheap.

Other whitespace high-performance opportunities yet to be explored by Hyundai include an even cheaper entry-level RWD/AWD model (7%), a compact EV (1%), a premium EV (6%), a premium SUV (18%), a Luxury GT (8%), and others (3%). Among those, we can only think of the rumored Hyundai Ioniq 3 N, which sounds fitting to the subcompact/compact EV description.

In any case, Hyundai has more than a few aces up its sleeve, potentially creating one of the largest performance lineups among mainstream automakers.

Hyundai

Dreame’s adventure into the car business appears to have lived up to its name, according to a report from China Economy. After teasing Bugatti-like hypercars, ultra-luxury SUVs, rocket propulsion, and performance figures that sounded suspiciously like cheat codes, the Chinese vacuum cleaner giant is reportedly pulling the plug on its automotive ambitions barely a year after announcing them.

The tech firm entered the automotive world in August 2025 in controversial style when it dropped renders showing its first car would be a four-door coupe whose design was shamelessly ripped from Bugatti’s Chiron. Weeks later it revealed images of an SUV that had clearly been copying a Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s homework.

Related: If You Ever Dreamed Of A Cheap Bugatti Sedan, China Has You Covered

By early 2026, Dreame’s new “Starry Sky” auto division was showing a physical supercar concept at CES, which, as it turned out, looked nothing like a Bugatti after all. The Nebula Next 01 was followed in March by an X-badged SUV brother, and in April by the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition, a rocket-propelled coupe that could allegedly reach 62 mph (100 kmh) in just 0.9 seconds.

If you were thinking at the time that sounded slightly too good to be true, some alleged behind-the-scenes details reported by Car News China will leave you feeling vindicated. Former employees told China Economy that Dreame’s CES supercar didn’t have a proper chassis and had to be moved remotely. They claim the Rocket Car was allegedly sourced from a model-making company before being modified with a chassis and thrusters to put on a convincing show.

Funding Scrutiny

Now the show, and the dream, is apparently over. An automotive workforce that once approached 1,000 people has reportedly been reduced to only a few dozen staff tasked with winding things down. Chinese government scrutiny over investment funding is also said to have complicated matters.

Like Porsche trimming side ventures while refocusing on sports cars, Dreame is returning to businesses it actually knows, including vacuums, robotic lawnmowers, electric two-wheelers, and robots. Sometimes you’ve just got to clean up your own mess, and Dreame at least has the tools for the job.

Dreame

New details have emerged about Ford and Geely’s partnership in Spain, revealing that the American brand will build a new SUV based on Geely’s Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA).

A long-awaited deal was struck between the two companies in July, meaning Geely will begin building vehicles on an assembly line at Ford’s Valencia factory, which has operated at less than a quarter of its annual capacity for several years. The all-electric EX2 is expected to be the first Geely built at the site, although others will follow.

Read: Geely’s New Solid-State Battery Lasts 621,000 Miles And Starts Pilot Testing Next Year

Last week, Geely Auto Group chairman An Conghui confirmed on an earnings call that through the deal, Ford will use the company’s GEA platform for its own new model, Auto News reports. This platform is currently used by several Geely products, including the all-electric EX5 and the plug-in hybrid Starray.

Limited details are known about the Ford that will use Geely’s platform. However, the Blue Oval has described it as a compact crossover that will offer “multi-energy” drivetrains, indicating it’ll be sold both as a hybrid and an EV, two setups that the GEA platform can support. Ford also said the model will include “rally-bred” styling, ensuring it won’t be mistaken for an EX5 or Starray, despite the shared componentry. This mystery model will be built alongside a Bronco-branded SUV from Ford, expected to hit the market in 2028 but using a different platform.

When the deal between Ford and Geely was first announced, Geely confirmed it will build two new energy models at the Spanish site, with the first rolling off the production line in 2028. It also said “the joint venture is expected to produce three Ford-branded multi-energy vehicles,” but failed to provide any more details.

“This strategic cooperation with Ford is an important step towards open collaboration and is mutually beneficial to both parties,” Geely Auto Group vice president Alex Nan said. “It represents a milestone in Geely Auto’s global development and will further solidify Geely’s presence in Europe.”

Cheap to buy and cheap to own are two different things, and the gap between them is where most new car shoppers get caught out. If you’re shopping in the US and want something that costs almost nothing to keep on the road, there’s one clear winner: the Fiat 500e. Yes, the pint-sized three-door electric hatchback that virtually nobody is buying happens to be the cheapest new car in America to live with.

Fiat moved 150 of them in the first half of the year, down 81 percent from the 788 it managed over the same stretch in 2025, a figure that was hardly worth celebrating in the first place.

A recent study from Self.Inc set out to determine the average running costs of 50 popular new cars sold across the country. We’re not sure how these 50 were selected, but the results show that the 500e has annual running costs of just $3,557, easily beating the next-most-affordable option, the Honda Civic Hybrid, with average annual costs of $4,833.

Read: Dealers Can’t Move The 500e At $15,000 Off. Fiat’s Response Is A $5,200 Price Hike

A key reason for the 500e’s affordability is its efficiency. The car is small and, on average, costs $779 to charge. Average annual insurance at $779 is also well below the industry average, and annual maintenance of $1,275 is also low. Annual fees and taxes of $724 are higher than some of the competition, but that’s not enough to outdo the other savings.

Average Running Costs By Brand

Sources: Self

Positioned in a surprising third place was the Hyundai Elantra N with average annual running costs of $4,904. We’re not sure how the Elantra N made the list, as opposed to the standard Elantra, particularly given it can use quite a lot of fuel when driven as most N owners drive. Nonetheless, the average maintenance cost is low at just $1,278, which helps.

Other affordable cars to run in the US include the Nissan Versa at $4,949 in annual costs, the Toyota Camry Hybrid at $5,031, the Honda Accord HEV at $5,047, and the gas-powered Honda Civic at $5,062. Included in the affordable options are also the Mini Cooper, Kia K4, and Mazda3.

What About The Most Expensive?

At the other end of the spectrum are some very expensive cars to run. The Porsche 911 was listed as the most expensive car to run, with average annual costs of $10,832, positioning it ahead of the Audi RS7 at $10,334, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing at $10,265, the Chevrolet Corvette at $10,213, and the Lucid Air at $10,049, primarily due to high insurance fees for the luxurious electric sedan.

Compared to the last time the study was conducted in 2024, average annual fuel costs have fallen from $2,246 to $1,727. While this is good news for car buyers, annual insurance costs have jumped from $1,763 to $2,219, and annual maintenance costs are also up from $1,633 to $1,817. Annual fees and taxes have also increased from $820 to $1,151.

The study also sheds light on differences in ownership costs among EVs, gas-powered vehicles, and hybrids. After analyzing each of the 50 models, hybrids came out on top with average annual running costs of $5,734, less than the $6,189 for EVs, primarily due to cheaper insurance, fees, and taxes. Gas-powered vehicles came last, with an average cost of $7,025.

Top 20 Least-Expensive New Cars To Run In The US

Top 20 Most Expensive New Cars To Run In The US

Source: Self. Inc

Range Rover is preparing to push the envelope with an all-new addition to the lineup called the GT. It’s an all-electric, off-road tourer that brings a sedan top with SUV pretences, making it the automaker’s fifth model behind the Evoque, Sport, Velar and Range Rover. It won’t cause the sort of uproar that greeted JLR’s upcoming Jaguar Type 01, but nobody at Gaydon is expecting a unanimous verdict on this one either.

Future Cars: Our Mazdaspeed 6 Revival Ditches The Turbo Four For 536 HP Of Electric Power

Its near sedan-coupe format leans into the more opulent, soft-road side of the brand, yet isn’t a direct replacement for the Velar, as some reports had previously suggested. Curious? Read on as we table all there is to know in the lead-up to its official reveal.

Party Up Top, Business Below

We’ve seen JLR’s official camouflaged prototype images, and now we have stripped back the covers to reveal something that’s halfway between a crossover and a fastback sedan. Up front, it sports a broad, shallow interpretation of Range Rover’s familiar grille, flanked by ultra-slim LED headlamps, while vertical outer intakes enforce a performance-orientated stance.

Future Cars: Hyundai’s IONIQ V Has Lambo Looks And 225 HP, So We Imagined The N

In profile, it retains the lower visual bulk of other models in the lineup yet livens things up with a swept-back glasshouse, frameless windows, and a contrasting roof. Side surfacing is clean and simple with flush door handles and little in the way of excessive creases. At the rear, slim taillights merge with a gloss-black panel featuring spaced Range Rover lettering, and the dynamic look is finished off with a steeply raked tailgate.

A Minimalist Outlook

Range Rover has already provided a glimpse inside, revealing a minimalist 2+2 cabin with class-leading rear occupant space. The aesthetic is very much in the Polestar playbook, with horizontal lines and a heavy use of woven textures, which could upset those used to the usual swaths of leather, wood, and chrome. 

Front-seat occupants are greeted by a single central OLED touchscreen and a slim driver’s instrument cluster. Interestingly, its two-spoke steering wheel and stripped-back architecture echoes that of Jaguar’s all-new Type 01, although Range Rover takes a less radical approach. Expect expansive digital functionality with AI assistance, terrain-response off-road goodies, and augmented-reality navigation.

Electric Performance

Underpinned by the automaker’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, the GT will be an all-electric affair from launch, although, curiously, it could come in a hybrid format later.  

Future Cars: BMW’s i3 Sedan Divided The Internet, So We Drew The i4 Coupe Instead

Questions remain over powertrain specifications, yet we have a good idea of driving range based on shared prototype images, with 288 miles (463 km) at 80 per cent charge, which roughly translates to 360 miles to a full charge. Expect an 800-volt system with a 100-120 kWh battery and peak DC charging up to 350 kW.

Review: China’s $26,000 ‘Temu Range Rover’ Is A Bargain Until You Actually Live With It

Dual-motor, all-wheel drive is expected to be standard fare. Jaguar’s Type 01 could offer some pointers to performance potential, but don’t expect a tri-motor setup with that full 1000 hp. 

Rivals And Reveal

Positioning should put the GT into unexplored territory, facing everything from the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and Lotus Eletre, to potentially overlapping with the Jaguar Type 01.

Final testing is already underway, with production commencing later this year at JLR’s Halewood factory in Merseyside, England. An official reveal will take place in the coming months.

Electric vehicles have historically been more expensive than ICE-powered vehicles, but new data has revealed that last year, the average global prices for EVs were below those of hybrids. As you’d probably expect, this is largely due to the growing number of budget EVs from China hitting the roads across the world.

By looking at average sticker prices without accounting for subsidies, and weighting them based on sales volume, Mobility Global determined that last year, EVs typically averaged around $37,000, reports Nikkei Asia. This is down 9 percent from 2020. Over the same period, average hybrid prices rose 16 percent to $39,000.

This comes primarily thanks to falling lithium-ion battery costs, which have fallen by 37 percent between 2020 and 2025. The battery pack typically accounts for 30-40 percent of an EV’s overall cost. BloombergNEF attributes much of that decline to a capacity glut in China, which controls roughly 80 percent of the battery market.

Read: The World’s Biggest EV Market Just Went Into Reverse After Years Of Growth

Importantly, a growing number of EVs are also adopting lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, free from cobalt, which frequently experiences significant fluctuations in prices. While LFP batteries have traditionally been considered less energy-dense, their performance has been improving. Renault and Volkswagen said last year that they would adopt the chemistry.

China’s Global Expansion

The ongoing global expansion of EV firms from China has played a crucial role in reducing average prices. In 2020, fewer than 100,000 electric cars were exported from China, whereas last year, that figure soared to 1.64 million units.

As noted by Nikkei Asia, emerging markets could follow in the footsteps of nations including Norway and China, where EVs are hitting the roads at a rapid pace. Across Southeast Asia and South America, for example, electric models are typically cheaper than the average hybrid. In Thailand specifically, Chinese brands currently make up almost 30 percent of new car sales.

ICE Prices Went the Other Way

Pricing data shows that while average EV prices have decreased over the past five years, average ICE prices have actually increased slightly. As this has happened, prices of plug-in hybrids have decreased considerably, likely also reflecting falling prices of lithium-iron batteries.

Adding fuel to EV demand in recent months is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has driven a significant surge in oil prices. When gas gets more expensive, the math on an electric car starts to look better to a lot more buyers.

Tokyo’s metropolitan government wants more residents behind the wheel of electric cars, and it’s rolling out fresh purchase subsidies worth as much as 1.3 million yen ($8,160) per vehicle to make it happen. How much a buyer actually pockets depends on which manufacturer built the car. Both individuals and businesses are eligible for the program, with no limit on the number of vehicles that can qualify.

Under the new scheme, subsidies for EVs and hybrids each climb by 300,000 yen ($1,880), pushing them to 1.3 million yen ($8,160) and 1.15 million yen ($7,220) respectively. Tokyo is keeping several existing incentives on the table too, among them a 100,000 yen ($620) payout for cars that come with vehicle-to-load capability.

Read: BYD’s Kei EV Has The Lowest Sticker In Japan And The Highest Price On The Road

On top of that, a 100,000-yen ($620) subsidy covers the installation of charging and discharging equipment, and another 150,000 yen ($940) goes to anyone signed up with an electricity provider running on 100 percent renewable energy. EV and hybrid buyers can qualify for a further 300,000 yen ($1,884) if their home or workplace uses solar power.

Not All Brands Are Treated Equally

Those wanting to maximize their savings will need to carefully decide which brand they want to buy a new EV or hybrid from. According to a report from Nikkei Asia, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda models are all eligible to receive a 400,000-yen ($2,510) subsidy, while this incentive drops to 300,000 yen ($1,880) for models from Mitsubishi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla. Vehicles from BYD can only receive a 100,000-yen ($620) subsidy. Daihatsu models currently receive no additional manufacturer-based subsidy.

Additional incentives are offered depending on vehicle sales. For example, manufacturers who have sold at least 60 new zero-emission vehicles in Tokyo prefecture in 2025 can get an additional subsidy. An incentive worth up to 200,000 yen ($1,250) is also available as part of a “green transformation category.”

These incentives can be stacked with those offered by Japan’s federal government, which also offers incentives valued at up to 1.3 million yen ($8,160). However, like the savings offered in Tokyo, those from the federal government vary, with vehicles using Japanese batteries eligible for the most significant savings. By comparison, those from BYD get a minimum subsidy of 150,000 yen ($940). That creates a 1.15 million yen ($7,220) gap between BYD and models qualifying for the maximum national subsidy.

Toyota’s bZ4X is among the models that qualify for the full 1.3 million yen ($8,160) national subsidy. Stack that on top of Tokyo’s maximum incentive and the total discount could hit 2.6 million yen ($16,320), trimming the car’s 4.8 million yen ($30,150) sticker to roughly 2.2 million yen ($13,820).

It is hoped these subsidies will help encourage EV sales across the country. Due in large part to the price differential between EVs and combustion-powered cars locally, EVs accounted for just 1.6 percent of Japan’s new car market in 2025.

Tesla Expects A Rush

Thanks in part to these subsidies, Tesla is preparing for a surge in demand for its vehicles. The automaker sold more than 10,000 vehicles in Japan in 2025, comfortably beating its previous record of roughly 5,900 in 2022, reports Nikkei Asia. Demand has accelerated further this year, with around 12,000 vehicles sold in the first six months of 2026 alone. Tesla has also stopped selling its traditional premium models, including the Model S, to focus on the mass-market Model 3 and Model Y.

Handling that kind of growth takes infrastructure, so Tesla is growing its delivery network from seven locations to 11 by the end of the year. The automaker has also doubled its potential import capacity to roughly 48,000 vehicles a year, which leaves plenty of headroom above even this year’s accelerated pace.

BMW is preparing a mid-lifecycle update for the 5-Series, and fresh spy shots have caught the Touring variant in the final stages of development. The refresh brings Neue Klasse tech and styling cues to the executive model, though the wagon’s changes look more restrained than what we’ve seen on the new i3, iX3, and X5.

The current generation of the 5-Series arrived in 2023, with the Touring joining in early 2024. The first prototypes of the facelifted version were spotted in March 2025. More recent sightings in December 2025 hinted that BMW reworked the design partway through, adding a more conventional kidney grille.

More: BMW’s Neue Klasse Plan Starts To Blur As You Look At The 2027 5-Series

This latest prototype, caught in Germany, wears a similar look, but a closer inspection suggests the grille could be a camouflage add-on rather than the real production piece. The reshaped headlights are visible too, playing up the shark-nose effect alongside a sportier front bumper.

Baldauf

The profile is largely carried over from the current model, although BMW might add new colors and wheel designs. At the back, the highlight is the new LED graphics on the taillights, which retain the same outer shape. The camouflage wrap prevents us from seeing more details, but we also expect redesigned trim on the bumper.

More: BMW Is Taking The Next i5 In A Direction The 5-Series Won’t Follow

The bigger shifts happen inside, where the cabin borrows tech from the Neue Klasse i3, iX3, and X5. The current digital cockpit makes way for the new Panoramic iDrive, paired with a large infotainment touchscreen, an optional passenger display, and a 3D head-up display.

Under the skin, the 5-Series will likely remain available with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrain options, retaining the CLAR underpinnings. The flagship M5 is also scheduled to receive the mid-cycle update and will likely be the only variant available in Touring bodystyle in the US market.

More: 2027 M5 Gets A New Face And A Bavarian Butt Lift

BMW remains tight-lipped on the mid-lifecycle update of the 5. However, the latest reports suggest that production might commence at the Dingolfing plant in Germany in mid-2027. A public debut is expected early next year, with a potential arrival to the US market as a 2028 model. The main rivals of the BMW 5-Series are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.

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Peugeot has grandiose plans. By 2030, the French brand will roll out seven new or updated models across Europe, leaning on key technologies from parent company Stellantis and splitting its attention between electric cars on one side and combustion and hybrid models on the other.

Back in late 2021, Peugeot said its European lineup would consist of nothing but EVs by the end of the decade. That promise no longer holds, though a pair of significant new EVs sits just around the corner, including a new electric 208 and an electric 2008. Both will launch alongside updated petrol and hybrid versions of the same cars.

Read: Peugeot’s First Electric GTi Does 62 MPH In 5.5 Seconds

Peugeot hasn’t forgotten about its bigger models either. Speaking with Auto Express, chief executive Alain Favey confirmed that replacements for the 308 hatchback, 308 SW estate, and the 408 are all around the corner. Playing a key role in the creation of these new models is Peugeot’s positioning within Stellantis. Given that it’s a high-selling brand, it gets first dibs on important new technologies.

“It’s based on our size: Peugeot sells 1.1-million cars a year, and we have the ambition to sell 1.5m in 2030,” Favey said. “And our scale, which allows us to swallow some additional costs better than a brand with smaller volumes. There’s a benefit for Peugeot: we access new technology first, which is very important because innovation has always helped drive the brand’s appeal.”

The new electric Peugeot 208 and 2008 models will be the first from Stellantis to use the new STLA One architecture and STLA Brain electronic systems. This platform can support hybrid models, but the updated petrol and hybrid 208 and 2008 won’t use it, instead sticking with their older underpinnings.

New Cars For China, Too

Next year, Peugeot will also launch two new cars in China, produced in partnership with Dongfeng and previewed earlier this year with the Concept 6 and Concept 8. These two concepts introduced aggressive horizontal LED lighting at the front and rear, elements which will be present on other models. As per Favey, design is a key area where Peugeot can differentiate itself from new Chinese competitors.

“The important thing for me is on the first look at any new Peugeot, people have to be able to say within a tenth of a second: ‘That can only be a Peugeot’. I keep saying to our design team: ‘Bring me cars that cannot be a Hyundai or a Kia or whatever else.’ Ours need to stand out,” he said.

Dongfeng Nissan has unveiled the NX7, a model that will grow the automaker’ new energy vehicle lineup in China. The electrified SUV will slot in below the larger NX8, borrowing a lightly reworked design language along with the brand’s newest tech.

The Nissan NX7 retains the sleek curves of the NX8 but some of its features have been evolved. The centerpiece is a fresh take on split LED headlights, positioned on either side of a grille-less nose that carries an illuminated Nissan badge. Up top, the daytime running lights drop the full-width LED bar seen on earlier models, and the lower clusters wear a plainer shape.

More: Nissan’s 2027 Rogue Is Gunning For The RAV4, And Its Hybrid Works Nothing Like Toyota’s

Other highlights includes a sculpted hood, semi-enclosed door handles, and the lack of plastic cladding around the wheel arches. The rear end loos familiar with slim full-width LED taillights but the NX7 has a distinct C-pillar with dark trim connecting the rear quarter windows with the rear glass.

A roof-mounted LiDAR unit and additional sensors point to a fairly sophisticated ADAS setup. On size, the NX7 likely lands somewhere between the 183-inch (4,648 mm) Rogue / X-Trail and the 191.7-inch (4,870 mm) NX8.

Dongfeng Nissan / Weibo

Dongfeng Nissan didn’t get into specifics, but the NX7 will likely ride on its local Tianyan NEV architecture which already underpins the N6 and N7 sedans and the NX8 SUV. The latter is available with electric and range-extender powertrains with a FWD layout and CATL-sourced lithium-iron phosphate batteries.

More: Nissan Brings Back The Primera, But It’s A Chinese EV Now

Pricing stays under wraps, though it will land below the NX8 and its ¥149,900 ($22,200) starting figure. The automaker also hasn’t confirmed whether the NX7 stays exclusive to China or eventually follows other locally built models abroad.

The Dongfeng Nissan NX7 (above) compared to the slightly larger NX8 (below).

Kia keeps rewriting its own US sales record, and July gave it another line in the book. Last month stood as the brand’s best July ever, with several models posting record numbers for the month, the Carnival family hauler among them.

The Korean automaker moved 75,857 vehicles in July, a 7 percent gain over the same month last year. Through the first seven months of 2026, the running total reaches 506,584 units, up 4 percent, which puts Kia on course for a fourth straight annual sales record in the US.

Record-Setters Across The Lineup

According to Kia, the Sportage, Carnival, Telluride, Seltos, and K4 all logged best-ever July sales. The Sportage led the pack with 16,083 sales (+11.7%), trailed by the K4/Forte at 12,094 (+8%), the Telluride at 11,816 (+13%), the Sorento at 9,038 (+13.5%), and the Seltos at 8,807 (+79.1%).

More: Kia’s Next Sportage Is Getting A Rugged Redesign

The one that caught our eye, though, is the Carnival minivan. Its 7,279 deliveries marked a hefty 22.8% climb over last year and landed within striking distance of its all-time monthly best of 7,362 units, set in November 2025. A recent study found millennials are fueling a minivan comeback, sold on the practicality and value SUVs can’t match, and Kia’s numbers appear to reflect the trend.

Kia introduced the current Carnival in 2020, and it reached the US for the 2022 model year. A mid-cycle refresh arrived in late 2023 for the 2025 model year, bringing a sharper face and a hybrid powertrain option. Pricing now runs from $37,490 to $53,590, with buyers choosing between a 3.5-liter V6 and a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid.

EV Sales Down, Hybrids On The Rise

Strong as the month was overall, Kia’s electric lineup told a rougher story. EV6 deliveries nearly halved to 674 units (-48%) in July, dragging its year-to-date figure to 4,717 (-34%). The three-row EV9 dipped more gently to 1,650 units (-5%), though its year-to-date total still runs ahead of last year at 8,685 (+30%).

Hybrids went the other direction, and hard. Total hybrid sales jumped 108 percent year-over-year. The Sportage Hybrid posted the steepest growth among electrified models at 76%, while the Sorento Hybrid and Carnival Hybrid each managed a 16 percent gain over last July.

More: 2027 Kia Seltos Has A Higher Price To Match Its More Upscale Design

Kia plans to keep the momentum going with the new Seltos and the entry-level EV3 electric crossover, due later this year.

Kia US Sales 2026

Fully electric semi trucks can cut operating costs for fleet operators, but they routinely cost two to three times what a diesel equivalent does, and they come saddled with range limits and charging headaches. San Francisco startup Revoy has a clever way around that, turning existing diesel semis into hybrids with a swappable, plug-in electric dolly. The setup also buys more life out of the diesel trucks a fleet already owns, rather than making it replace them outright.

More: The Rental Giant That Dumped 30,000 EVs Is Now Betting On Self-Driving EVs

Revoy was founded in 2020 by CEO Peter Reinhardt and CTO Ian Rust. Rust, who previously worked at autonomous driving startup Cruise, said the idea grew out of collaborative robotics, closer in principle to an exoskeleton for humans than to a conventional EV drivetrain. “Instead of removing the driver, we’re using robotics to switch the fuel source,” he told Bloomberg.

What Actually Bolts On

The product is a self-powered unit that connects directly between the tractor’s fifth-wheel hitch and the cargo trailer. The electric add-on measures 13 feet (3.96 meters) long and tips the scales at 22,000 lbs (9,979 kg). Inside sits a 575 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that feeds an electrically driven axle, which is where all the real work happens.

When the truck driver hits the throttle, the system reads the load demand and engages the electric motor to shoulder the heavy lifting, keeping the diesel engine from straining. Under braking, the motor flips to regenerative mode, topping up the battery while helping slow the truck. The dolly also runs active safety systems that guard against rollovers, flipping, and jackknifing, and it supports blind-spot detection and automatic reversing.

The Benefits In Fuel Economy And Emissions

With the add-on fitted, a standard semi hauling an 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) gross vehicle weight can cover more than 200 to 250 miles (322 to 402 km) on electric power alone, which is enough to reshape how a lot of regional routes get run.

More: A Semi Truck Habit That’s Driving Everyone Crazy Could Soon Be Illegal

The company says average fuel economy on the diesel hybrid can climb from the usual 6 to 8 mpg (29.4 to 39.2 lt/100 km) to 20 to 35 mpg (6.7 to 11.8 lt/100 km), and touch 40 mpg (5.9 lt/100 km) on short-haul runs under 150 miles (241 km). Those are real savings at a moment when diesel prices have spiked because of the ongoing war with Iran.

Reinhardt says US retail diesel still sits about 40 percent above the pre-war level of roughly $3.80 per gallon, and fuel usually accounts for more than a fifth of a truck owner’s operating costs. At the same time, carbon emissions drop by as much as 85 percent.

Rather than parking a rig for hours to charge that enormous battery, Revoy built the dolly to be swapped. The company is putting together a network of highway hubs where a truck can trade a drained unit for a fresh one, with the whole exchange wrapping up in under five minutes.

According to Bloomberg, the 3 million registered heavy-duty freight trucks in the United States each cover roughly 60,000 miles (96,561 km) per year. That adds up to a $900 billion market that throws off around 300 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, or 6.7 percent of all US greenhouse emissions. An earlier report from FleetOwner pegged the potential savings at an average of $25,000 per truck each year in fuel costs, which is the kind of number that gets a fleet manager’s attention.

Dolly by Subscription

Instead of selling the hardware outright, Revoy hands the electric dolly to fleet operators as a service with a subscription fee. The company secured regulatory approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2023, then wrapped a yearlong pilot with freight company Ryder System Inc. in 2024. Its first commercial operation starts in 2026 in Oregon, deploying an initial fleet of four dollies built from Chinese components. That run will cover a 200-mile stretch near Portland using second-hand diesel trucks bought by Revoy’s partners, with the company training those partners’ drivers to operate the dollies.

More: Ford Wants To Build The US Army A Super Truck That Charges Drones

Revoy raised $27 million in its latest funding round, pushing total funding to $41 million, reports Bloomberg. With that money, the company is developing a cheaper second-generation dolly that pairs a smaller battery with the same 200-mile EV range. The plan is to scale production and have dozens of second-gen units running US shipping routes by late 2027. For now Revoy is focused on the US, though Rust hopes the technology can eventually reach other markets.

Mercedes styling is pretty hit or miss these days, but the company scored a solid double with the redesigned GLA. It goes up for order tomorrow in Europe, while a US launch is scheduled for the second half of 2027.

Looking far more stylish and upscale than its predecessor, the crossover adopts the company’s new “iconic grille.” It’s larger than before an offers optional illumination.

More: New Mercedes GLB Arrives With Electric Power And AI

The grille is flanked by standard LED headlights that feature a chrome-plated star design. On models equipped with the optional Multibeam LED headlights, the daytime running lights are shaped like a star.

Moving further back, there’s streamlined bodywork, flush-mounted door handles, and pronounced cladding. They’re joined by muscular rear haunches and 18- to 20-inch wheels.

The sportier styling continues at the rear end, where the license plate recess has moved from the liftgate to the bumper. The model also sports squared off taillights that are connected by a slender bar.

The exact look varies and there will be AMG Line, AMG Line Plus, and Night Edition packages. The latter has a Cosmos Black Magno exterior with high-gloss black accents and black 20-inch wheels. They’re joined by two-tone sport seats, illuminated door sill plates, and Dark Shadow flourishes.

In terms of size, the redesigned GLA measures 179.7 inches (4,565 mm) long, 73.7 inches (1,873 mm) wide, and 63.1 inches (1,604 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 109.8 inches (2,790 mm). This means the model is 6.1 inches (155 mm) longer and has an extra 2.4 inches (61 mm) between the wheels.

An Interior Dominated By Screens

The cabin largely carries over from the CLA and this means buyers will find a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a big blank section with star graphics.

The latter serves as a permanent reminder of your cheapness and nudges customers to buy the optional MBUX Superscreen. It adds a 14-inch front passenger display that provides access to more than 40 apps including Disney+ and YouTube.

On the topic of options, Mercedes offers a Sky Control panoramic roof that can go from transparent to opaque in a matter of milliseconds. Customers can also get a 16-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system – among other things.

Thanks to the increased dimensions, occupants will find a roomier cabin. There’s an additional 0.3 inches (7 mm) of legroom up front, while the back seat adds up to 1.5 inches (38 mm). Mercedes also noted there’s an extra 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rear seat headroom as well.

On the topic of space, the boot now holds 14.5 cubic feet (410 liters) of luggage and that’s an increase of 2.5 cubic feet (70 liters). It can be expanded to 49.4 cubic feet (1,400 liters) by folding the rear seats down and there’s a 3.8 liter (107 liter) frunk on electric variants.

Electric Powertrains

The GLA will be offered with a bewildering number of powertrains and kicking things off is the GLA 200 Electric. It features a 58 kWh LFP battery as well as a rear-mounted motor producing 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque.

This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.1 seconds, before topping out at 130 mph (210 km/h). Buyers can also expect a WLTP range of 245 – 278 miles (394 – 447 km).

When the battery is low, a 200 kW DC fast charging capability can take it from 10-80% in as little as 20 minutes. If that’s too long, a ten minute charge can deliver 103 miles (165 km) of range.

The mid-level GLA 250+ Electric has a beefier motor producing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, the crossover hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.3 seconds, but the top speed is unchanged at 130 mph (210 km/h).

Buyers will also find a beefier 85 kWh NMC battery, which delivers 359 – 408 miles (577 – 657 km) of range. The model also has an upgraded 320 kW DC fast charging capability, which delivers 168 miles (270 km) of range in ten minutes.

Sitting at the top of the electric lineup is the GLA 350 4MATIC Electric. It has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque. 62 mph (100 km/h) comes in just 5.4 seconds, while the top speed remains 130 mph (210 km/h). Range also takes a slight hit as it drops to 345 – 400 miles (555 – 643 km).

The United States will only be getting the 250+ and 350 4MATIC variants. However, Mercedes also announced a fourth variant is coming in 2027 with a 71 kWh NMC battery.

Hybrid Power Arrives Next Year

Besides the EVs, Mercedes confirmed plans for hybrid variants with front- and all-wheel drive. The company didn’t say much about them, but noted they’ll have a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, a 1.3 kWh battery pack, and a 30 hp (22 kW / 30 PS) electric motor integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

While Mercedes is playing coy, the powertrains should carryover from the CLA. This means there could be a GLA 200 with a combined maximum output of 190 hp (142 kW / 193 PS) as well as a GLA 220 with 217 hp (162 kW / 220 PS).

It’s also worth noting the GLA will be offered with the new MB.Drive Assist system that provides a “state-of-the-art” Level 2 semi-autonomous driving experience.

Mini is preparing to expand its lineup with a new, off-road-focused version of the Countryman. The compact SUV is currently going through the last stages of testing and validation on US soil ahead of its premiere which is scheduled for October 2026.

More: This Is One MINI We Can Get Into

After years of rumors and off-road packages from independent tuners, a rugged Countryman is finally happening. Mini released photos of a camouflaged prototype picking its way across gravel tracks and rocky terrain in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Mini

The prototype sits higher than the standard Countryman and rides on black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Unlike the X-Raid build from Delta4x4 and Mini’s own Vagabund concepts from earlier this year, though, this one skips the wide fender extensions that would give it a meaner stance. The bumpers look untouched too.

Review: Mini’s Electric 2026 Countryman SE ALL4 Is The Most Fun You Can Have With A Bad Idea

Besides the new shoes, the highlight of the exterior is the large roof top tent communicating the adventurous character of the build. Mini has been offering similar tents as an option for its other models so the camping treatment doesn’t take us by surprise.

Mini

Mini has not yet disclosed if this rugged package will be offered with combustion or electric powertrains. However, we expect it to be paired with the AWD-capable variants. At the moment, the only trims available with the ALL4 badge are the Countryman S, the flagship JCW and the electric SE.

After its public reveal in October, the model will take on the 2026 Rebelle Rally. The grueling all-women navigation event runs more than 2,500 km (1,553 miles) across remote wilderness, with no modern GPS to lean on.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of Mini, said: “Mini has always been about turning every journey into an adventure. That spirit guided this project from the very beginning. We are incredibly excited to be just one step away from introducing this new, rugged addition to the Mini Countryman family. True to the Mini spirit, it combines capability with character and will open up even more opportunities for unforgettable adventures”.

Mini

Mazda has spent decades proving sports cars don’t need enormous muscle to be fun. They just need to be light, and that means EV power is out. Now one of those rules is about to change. CEO Masahiro Moro has confirmed the next MX-5, codenamed NE, is being prepared for electric power, and somehow Mazda thinks it can keep the little roadster seriously light.

Related: Mazda’s New Sports Car Patents Show Butterfly Doors And No Rotary

Speaking with Auto Motor und Sport only weeks after an Aussie Mazda exec said the next MX-5 could be the last to run a combustion motor, Moro said the MX-5’s replacement must be prepared for a future where combustion power is no longer viable at all due to regulatory roadblocks.

“The successor must also be ready for a scenario without a combustion engine,” Moro told the German title. “The challenge for us is to make the basic structure lighter without using exotic materials like carbon fiber.”

Instead of resorting to pricey composites, engineers are being challenged to make the underlying structure lighter using more conventional materials. And Mazda’s target sounds ambitious. Moro says developers are shooting for somewhere between “just under 1,000 kg and 1,200 kg (2,205-2,645 lbs)”, adding, “And I believe we can achieve that.”

If they can, an electric MX-5, most likely wearing a design inspired by the Iconic SP concept (below), could weigh roughly the same as today’s combustion models, or just a smidge higher. The MY26 roadster comes in at 1,003 kg (2,211 lbs) without a driver in Euro trim.

Electric Not The Only Answer

Mazda’s Icon SP concept from 2024.

Fortunately for piston fans, electric isn’t the only future Mazda is planning. The next MX-5 is also expected to use the company’s new 2.5-liter Skyactiv-Z four-cylinder. Some form of hybridization remains possible too, provided it doesn’t undermine the lightweight formula, in which case power could reach 220 hp (223 PS). Today’s hottest US Miata makes 181 hp (184 PS) and even Japan’s hardcore 12R model can’t top 197 hp (200 PS).

We’ll have to wait to see how Mazda makes all those options coexist, because the next-generation MX-5 isn’t expected before 2028 at the earliest. By then, the current ND will have enjoyed an impressively long innings stretching back to 2015.

Mazda Wants A Flagship Sports Car

But new Miata isn’t all we’ve got to look forward to. Moro has another sports-car itch he wants scratched.

“I want a ‘hero car’ for Mazda, a true flagship model that perfectly embodies our brand values,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.

Moro says the MX-5 will continue serving enthusiasts seeking accessible fun, but believes Mazda is missing something special at the opposite end of the showroom. He doesn’t expect this mystery machine to chase big sales numbers and even suggests it could be built largely by hand.

Hyundai pulled the wraps off the second-generation Kona in December 2022, but rather than settle for a mid-cycle nip and tuck, the automaker is preparing a more thorough redesign for 2027. After earlier runs of camouflaged prototypes, the new Kona has now turned up completely undisguised in Korea, and the exposed sheetmetal reveals a taller, more upright stance than the car it replaces.

The styling is only part of the story here, as reports suggest Hyundai wants to fold the Kona and Creta lines into a single global model, a logical move given their size and where each sits in the market. There’s also talk that the SUV’s underpinnings could be shared with the next Chevrolet Tracker, the product of an agreement struck with General Motors.

More: Redesigned Hyundai Tucson Spied Alongside The Current Model

The photos making the rounds on social media, including a set posted by @EWVexillary, point to a Kona that borrows the rugged cues from the Crater concept. At the same time, the cleaner surfacing pulls it visually closer to the Ioniq EV family, splitting the difference between off-road attitude and electric-era modernity.

Mature Styling

The front end keeps the split-headlight arrangement of the previous generations, though the main units are much smaller now and the full-LED bar runs thicker than before. Below sits a sculpted bumper with smaller intakes and what looks like a covered grille.

More: Hyundai’s Popular Three-Row SUV Is Going Under The Knife

The profile is defined by what’s gone, namely the unpainted plastic cladding, which lends the car a more modern stance. A subtle two-tone treatment reinforces the effect, pairing gray pillars against matte silver bodywork. The flanks trade the diagonal creases of the outgoing model for cleaner surfacing, and the greenhouse is entirely new, its straight belt line running back to a more upright tail.

Dimensions haven’t been confirmed, but the SUV could grow, following the lead of the mechanically related Kia Seltos, which stretches to 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) long. By comparison, the current Hyundai Creta measures 4,330 mm (170.5 in), and the Kona is slightly longer at 4,350 mm (171.3 in).

Hyundai Kona 2027
Tamamen sızdı .

Segment büyüdü stil Ioniq ‘leşti.
Pleos gelecek https://t.co/tXX8fNP2po pic.twitter.com/TNuBdBLW6e

— Elvis Will Vexillary 🔋 (@EWVexillary) July 21, 2026

A further increase in size could help the Kona cement its position between the subcompact and compact SUV segments in Europe, bridging the gap between the smaller Bayon and the larger Tucson. Rivals will include the likes of the VW T-Roc, the Toyota C-HR, the Honda HR-V, and the Mazda CX-30.

New Tech Inside

Inside, the crossover will most likely gain a digital cockpit with larger screens, following the lead of the Ioniq 3. Those run on the new Hyundai Pleos Connect infotainment, built on Google’s Android. Hyundai isn’t ditching buttons either, keeping physical controls for the functions that matter. Practicality should improve too, with a slightly larger footprint freeing up more room for passengers and their bags.

More: Hyundai Strips The New Ioniq 3 Down To Its Cleaner, Cheaper Self

Depending on the market, the powertrain range may include a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, a turbocharged 1.6-liter, and a self-charging hybrid 1.6-liter in FWD and AWD forms. Hyundai might also keep the fully electric variant around and potentially add a range-extender setup.

The unified third-generation Kona and Creta is expected to make its formal global debut within the next few months, likely as a 2027 model.

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