Hyundai Wants to Prove It Can Make Hardcore Off-Roaders, Too

The Bronco Will Have Some Company

The Ford Bronco has reestablished itself as one of America’s favorite adventure machines, with buyers drawn to its muscular proportions and trail-ready image. The segment it helped energize is now one of the most competitive parts of the SUV market, and it appears Hyundai wants a closer look at that audience.

The South Korean marque has just teased the Crater Concept through sketches and renderings ahead of its global debut at AutoMobility LA. While not mentioned explicitly, the design direction is clear, and we figure it’s targeting off-road nameplates, especially the Bronco. The teaser images show something well beyond the light off-road flair of Hyundai’s XRT trims – this concept is built around adventure from the ground up.

What Can We Expect from the Crater Concept

Hyundai describes the Crater as a compact off-road SUV built around toughness and capability, inspired by extreme environments. Developed at Hyundai America Technical Center in Irvine, California, it reflects Hyundai’s renewed interest in purpose-built off-roaders rather than crossovers dressed in adventurous attire.

The sketches reveal upright proportions, a boxy silhouette, short overhangs, and exaggerated fender forms. The front features a pixel-inspired lighting signature and an enclosed grille, while the body incorporates reinforced bumpers and likely recovery points. Oversized wheels and a roof-mounted light bar add to the show-car drama. These elements extend Hyundai’s XRT design philosophy, seen previously in the Ioniq 5 XRT, Santa Cruz XRT, and Palisade XRT Pro, but the Crater pushes the theme further than any production-bound model so far. 

Technical details remain undisclosed. Hyundai has not confirmed whether the concept uses an internal combustion, hybrid, or full-electric powertrain. Still, given the brand’s growing EV portfolio, an electrified approach would not be surprising.

Arriving in LA in a Few Days

Compact off-roaders have been enjoying strong demand globally (hello, Land Cruiser FJ), thanks not only to the Bronco but also to smaller models like the Suzuki Jimny. Hyundai seems interested in joining that conversation, and the Crater functions as a design testbed for what a future adventure-oriented model could look like.

The official reveal happens on November 20 at 9:45 a.m. PT, livestreamed on HyundaiUSA’s YouTube channel. It will remain on display throughout AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show’s public run. Whether it turns into a production SUV remains to be seen, but Hyundai clearly wants to make an impact as it explores a more rugged chapter in its lineup.