Hyundai new pickup truck could mark a major shift in the company’s strategy, as it no longer wants to limit itself to compact and lifestyle pickup trucks. Despite the Santa Cruz’s lack of significant market success, the company is developing a larger, more rugged model.
This upcoming Hyundai new pickup truck will be based on a body-on-frame platform, positioning it as a proper mid-size pickup truck.
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Hyundai previewed the design direction of this upcoming pickup with the Boulder concept. The Boulder is a rugged SUV concept that provides an idea of the architecture and styling for the company’s future body-on-frame vehicles. A pickup based on this platform could feature high ground clearance, short overhangs, and serious off-road capability.
Demand for mid-size pickup trucks is still strong in the US market. Models like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado are established players in this segment. Hyundai’s upcoming truck will target this category. However, the company has not yet announced a production version or an exact launch date. Currently, it is confirmed that the truck could hit the market before 2030.
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What Will Hyundai New Pickup Truck Be Called?
Hyundai has named its rugged SUV concept the Boulder. This name fits its off-road character, but it is not yet clear whether the same name will be used for the production pickup.
The Santa Cruz name seems unlikely to be reused for a new truck, as the upcoming model will be significantly different in size and construction. Hyundai uses names inspired by American cities and regions for many of its models. Following this pattern, the new pickup’s name could also be inspired by a location in the western United States. Currently, there is no official confirmation regarding the name.
What will the design be like? Ideas will come from the Boulder Concept
The Hyundai Boulder Concept’s design is inspired by traditional off-road vehicles. It features 37-inch mud-terrain tires, a raised ride height, short overhangs, and prominent fender flares. These elements give the concept the look of a tough off-road SUV.
The company may also offer styling differences with different trims in the production pickup. The off-road-focused variant is likely to feature rugged tires, additional body cladding, and enhanced off-road hardware, but these features have not yet been confirmed.
The Boulder concept showcases Hyundai’s Art of Steel design language. This design philosophy could influence the styling of future Hyundai models. The pickup version could feature a proper cargo bed in the rear section while retaining the overall design character of the SUV concept.
The Boulder concept also shows an interesting direction for the cabin. The concept features four small, square displays in the center of the dashboard, while important vehicle information is projected onto the lower section of the windscreen instead of a traditional instrument cluster.
It’s too early to say whether such a futuristic setup will be available in a production model. But the concept indicates that Hyundai is working on a distinctive cabin layout along with a rugged design.
Pickup to be Based on a Body-on-Frame Platform
The most important aspect of upcoming Hyundai New Pickup Truck is its dedicated body-on-frame platform. This construction mounts the body onto a separate chassis frame, which is commonly used in traditional work-oriented and off-road vehicles.
Unlike lifestyle pickups like the Santa Cruz, the new model will be positioned as a larger mid-size truck. The body-on-frame architecture could help make it suitable for towing, load-carrying, and rough-road use. However, actual capabilities will only be known once production specifications are released.
Hyundai has not yet shared technical details of the platform. Some components may be shared with the Kia Tasman, but this has not been officially confirmed. This architecture is also likely to underpin a rugged SUV from Hyundai and future mid-size models from Kia.
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What engine could be found in the Hyundai Pickup?
Hyundai has not yet revealed powertrain details for the Hyundai New Pickup Truck or the Boulder concept. According to comments from company CEO José Muñoz, the Palisade’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain could be a possibility in the truck.
This hybrid setup produces 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Hyundai Palisade also offers the option of a 287-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, which could theoretically be considered for the pickup. However, it is not yet confirmed whether any of these engines will be offered in the production truck.
Competitors in the US follow different powertrain strategies. The Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Honda Ridgeline offer naturally aspirated V6 engines. The Ford Ranger offers turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder options, while the Chevrolet Colorado uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Given Hyundai’s current hybrid portfolio, a hybrid variant in its upcoming pickup is a logical possibility. Hybrid powertrains are currently available on limited models in the US mid-size truck segment, so this could be an important differentiator for Hyundai. However, engine options and performance figures should not be considered final until an official announcement.
When will the Hyundai New Pickup Truck launch?
Hyundai has confirmed that it is developing a body-on-frame pickup, but an exact launch date has not yet been announced. According to the company’s current timeline, the truck could hit the market before 2030.
This means it may still be a while before a production model is revealed. Details on the final design, engine options, towing capacity, payload rating, and off-road hardware will also be revealed later.
What is the expected price of Hyundai New Pickup Truck?
Hyundai’s upcoming truck will not be a direct replacement for the Santa Cruz. It will target mainstream mid-size pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Nissan Frontier.
Entry-level pricing for this segment in the US market generally starts around or slightly above $30,000. For this reason, the starting price of Hyundai’s pickup could also be in this range, although the company has not yet given any indication of pricing.
Well-equipped and off-road-focused variants could cost upwards of $60,000. If Hyundai also offers premium features, hybrid powertrains, and advanced off-road equipment, pricing for top variants could approach this range.
Auto India Daily Verdict
Hyundai’s upcoming body-on-frame pickup could be an important step for the company. While the Santa Cruz focuses on lifestyle-oriented buyers, the Hyundai New Pickup Truck will target the more traditional mid-size pickup segment. This could give Hyundai an opportunity to compete against established models like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger in the US market.
The Boulder concept currently offers an idea of the design direction, but many questions remain regarding the production pickup’s name, engine, specifications, and pricing. A launch target of no earlier than 2030 has been set, so more details on this project are expected to emerge in the next few years.
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Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he leverages over four years of experience covering Indian car and bike launches, EV tech, and market dynamics to break down complex automotive regulations into simple consumer guides. Specialising in Indian motor vehicle laws, IRDAI updates, and ownership costs, Raj translates technical auto policies into actionable advice for everyday drivers.