Meet the Hyundai Boulder. It’s a rugged off-road concept that’s giving all kinds of Land Rover Defender vibes—and looks fit to take on the Dakar Rally.
We’re told it previews Hyundai’s first body-on-frame architecture, a new platform that the carmaker has confirmed will underpin a midsize pickup that’s due in the US by 2030. No word yet on where else the future truck will be sold, but we should hear more over the next five years.
And if the production pickup is anything like this Boulder concept, it'll certainly look the part. Just check out those boxy lines and the raised ride height, which offers “aggressive” approach, departure, and breakover angles. And, of course, those monster 37-inch tires.
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Elsewhere, pick out the roof-mounted lightbar, the safari-style fixed upper windows, the coach-style doors, and the low-profile roof rack for packing any camping gear. Oh, and the full-size spare wheel, just in case you find yourself in a spot of bother off the beaten track.
Hidden Easter eggs include a drop-down rear window for letting the great outdoors in (just perhaps not on an actual safari), plus a double-hinged rear tailgate that opens from either side for easier loading/unloading. Versatile thing, this.
Step inside and the cabin feels fit for purpose, too. You’re greeted by hard-wearing materials, four digital gauges showcasing all your off-roading details, and physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. Nope, those’ll never catch on...
We’re also told that it gets a real-time off-road guidance system that acts “like a digital spotter sitting shotgun.” Beats Waze or Google Maps, we’re guessing. There’s no word on any sort of powertrain—indeed, we’re told it’s a “pure design study.”
Shame. But hey, make enough noise, and you never know what Hyundai might do...
More photos of the Hyundai Boulder Concept:
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
