Hyundai wants to get serious about off-roading. Yes, the automaker already offers its XRT line, which adds a few rugged touches to models like the Ioniq 5, Palisade, and Santa Fe. But this new concept shows what serious off-roading within the Hyundai lineup could look like.
Meet the Crater, an all-new SUV concept that previews a potential future off-roader for Hyundai. It looks badass, riding on 33-inch off-road tires with skid plates, tow hooks, and half a dozen auxiliary lights. It even wears the same digital pixel camouflage seen on the Ioniq 5 XRT, along with a handful of fun hidden details.
Look closely at the anodized recovery hooks on the front bumper and you’ll spot a tiny figure Hyundai designers call “Crater Man.” This character serves as the concept’s logo and appears throughout the vehicle—on exterior accents, seat buckles, and even the dashboard.
The interior is wild. Instead of a traditional dashboard, there’s a cylindrical structure “suspended” by two straps. Four small, removable square screens display widgets like Spotify and can be popped out of the car entirely. They live among unique elements that illuminate the cabin in a warm rust-orange hue.
The seats and center console showcase a new interior design technique Hyundai calls “Curve of Upholstery.” That means every touchpoint is wrapped in soft, curved materials—no hard plastics in sight.
Hyundai isn’t sharing many mechanical details, saying only that the Crater is electric. It probably uses the Ioniq 5’s 84.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and dual-motor setup, which produces 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque—but that’s just a guess.
What we do know is that the Crater appears to have real off-road chops beyond its lifted ride height and aggressive tires. Inside, there are controls for low range and locking differentials. We’re not entirely sure how they’d function on an EV, but the intent is clear.
Unfortunately, Hyundai has no plans to bring the Crater to market as a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler rival—at least not in its current form. What it does do is preview where the brand’s XRT models could be headed. Today, vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and Palisade XRT are more soft-roader than rock crawler.
If Hyundai draws inspiration from the Crater for its upcoming models, who knows what the future could bring.
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