Hyundai used the stage of AutoMobility LA 2025 to unveil the CRATER Concept, a compact off-road SUV designed in California and built to push the brand’s XRT design language into bolder, more capable territory. Conceived at the Hyundai America Technical Center in Irvine, the CRATER Concept is intended as a visual statement of adventure—an exploration of what rugged capability could look like in future Hyundai models.
The new concept will remain on display through both media days and public days of the Los Angeles Auto Show, showcased alongside Hyundai’s broader product lineup, including the all-new 2026 Palisade, the IONIQ 5, and the newly introduced IONIQ 6 N high-performance sedan.
“CRATER began with a question: ‘What does freedom look like?’ This vehicle stands as our answer,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. “It is a vision shaped by our unending drive to explore — to inspire our customers to explore deeper and embrace the impact of adventure.”
Design: Sculpted For The Extremes
Hyundai describes the CRATER Concept’s exterior philosophy as the Art of Steel, a design language inspired by the strength, flexibility, and sculptural potential of advanced steel forms. Flowing volumes and crisp lines merge to create a form that is at once powerful and refined, with an underlying timelessness.
This language is expressed through a body shaped by the environments that inspired it. Chiseled bodysides, bold skid plates, and a planted, confident stance all work together to signal resilience and purpose. Built on a compact monocoque architecture with steep approach and departure angles, the CRATER Concept’s proportions suggest the ability to go nearly anywhere.
Its adventurous silhouette is anchored by unique 18-inch hexagonal-faceted wheels wrapped in 33-inch off-road tires—an imaginative design said to resemble an asteroid striking metal and leaving behind geometric craters. A wide skid plate reinforces the concept’s readiness for punishment, while a roof platform provides mounting points for lighting or storage. Limb risers stretch from the hood to the roof, adding trail-ready protection from brush or branches on tight, overgrown routes.
Additional visual drama comes from sheer, sculpted fenders emphasizing the robotic, structural aesthetic of Hyundai’s evolving XRT identity. The rocker panels continue that theme with protective-case-inspired forms that hint at durability and utility.
Lighting is another standout element. Parametric Pixel and indirect lighting create a three-dimensional signature that seems to float within the bodywork, while roof-mounted off-road lights carry Hyundai’s gradient pixel motif. The CRATER Concept also hides playful “Easter eggs”: one of its integrated recovery hooks doubles as a bottle opener, and its side-mirror cameras can be removed for use as handheld flashlights or action-cam-style recorders.
Interior: Purposeful, Tech-Forward Adventure Utility
Inside, the CRATER Concept introduces an interior philosophy Hyundai calls The Curve of Upholstery. Technical shapes blend with soft, durable materials for an environment that feels rugged yet warm—an interior meant as much for dusty boots and wet gear as for everyday commuting.
A bent-metal-inspired crash pad stretches across the cabin, subtly glowing through perforations that emit ambient light. A full-width dynamic head-up display replaces conventional screens, offering navigation, vehicle data, and even a real-time rearview camera feed. Hyundai also leans into a flexible BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach, signaling a future where drivers can tailor the digital interface to their own preferences.
Functional details reinforce the CRATER Concept’s commitment to real use. Strap-inspired accents, ambient lighting, and structural elements create visual tension, while an exposed roll cage provides both safety and a sense of purpose-built integrity. Integrated grab handles make entering and exiting simple on uneven terrain.
The seating is designed for active lifestyles, featuring wraparound forms, three-dimensional padding, cylindrical cushions, and pronounced bolsters for support during aggressive off-road driving. A four-point harness hints at the concept’s performance aspirations. The squared-off steering wheel incorporates a central pixel display and terrain-mode quick-select buttons for Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and XRT settings.
The cabin includes several adventure-ready touches: a passenger-side first aid kit, driver-side fire extinguisher, removable Bluetooth speaker in the center console, mechanical center controls with visual indicator lights, and a “CRATER MAN” character hidden throughout the cabin as part of the concept’s playful storytelling.
Tools For The Trail
The CRATER Concept leans heavily into off-road functionality. A gear-type multi-function Off-Road Controller manages driving modes, front and rear locking differentials, traction settings, and braking control. The terrain mode selector supports Snow, Sand, and Mud presets. Additional tools include downhill brake control, trailer brake control, a compass, and an altimeter—all reinforcing the vehicle’s focus on exploration.
Colors And Materials: Inspired By California’s Wild Spaces
Hyundai finished the CRATER Concept in Dune Gold Matte, a green-gold tone evoking the meeting of sun-faded sagebrush and golden grasses along California’s coastline. It reflects the youthful attitude of surf culture, desert exploration, and the outdoor lifestyles that inform so much of the region’s automotive culture. Subtle pops of anodized orange accent major touchpoints for a dash of playfulness.
Inside, the Black Ember palette is tailored for durability. Black leather and Alcantara create a neutral, tactile environment designed to age gracefully with use, while brushed metal accents reinforce the industrial character. Orange highlights tie the cabin to the natural world, echoing desert sunsets and campfires. Topographic patterns etched into select surfaces serve as visual reminders of exploration and discovery.
A Glimpse At The Future Of XRT
The CRATER Concept is more than a design exercise—it’s a clear indicator of how Hyundai intends to evolve its XRT models with greater durability, capability, and emotional appeal. While the automaker has not confirmed any production intent, the CRATER Concept signals a design direction shaped by adventure, exploration, and the dynamic landscapes of the American West.
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