Hyundai Crater Concept
The Hyundai Crater, a concept vehicle that instantly commands attention. Debuting at the LA AutoMobility Show, it draws inspiration from Hyundai’s off-road-oriented XRT lineup, a series built around adventure and rugged capability.
Models like the Ioniq 5 XRT, Santa Cruz XRT, and Palisade XRT already offer serious off-road credentials, but the Crater concept positions itself as the most robust and adventurous member of the family.
The exterior features a distinctive green-gold matte finish influenced by California’s coastal terrain, and its tough, purposeful styling leaves little doubt about its intended use.
Hyundai says the Crater benefits from steep approach and departure angles to “support serious off-road exploration,” paired with 18-inch alloy wheels inspired by “a hexagonal asteroid impacting a sheer metal landscape.” These wheels are wrapped in 33-inch off-road tyres designed to boost traction and increase ground clearance.
A handful of playful details are integrated as well, including front-mounted roof spotlights with a pixelated Pac-Man motif and a set of so-called ‘limb risers’, essentially cables running from the bonnet to the roof to help deflect low-hanging branches.
Other noteworthy touches include removable side-mirror cameras that double as flashlights and tow hooks designed to function as bottle openers, useful for the moment when braving the apocalypse becomes tiresome and a cold drink sounds far more appealing. The concept also incorporates rear-hinged back doors.
Inside, the Crater continues its distinctive theme with ambient lighting inspired by desert sunsets and campfires. It features a squircle steering wheel with an integrated central display, along with dedicated terrain mode buttons that allow quick switching between Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and XRT settings. Whether such a steering-wheel layout will catch on remains to be seen.
A full-width head-up display spans the dashboard, incorporating the rearview camera feed. At the same time, additional screens below provide information on hill descent control, trailer brake control, a compass, and an altimeter.
The seats feature ‘three-dimensional padding’, and the centre console houses a Bluetooth speaker. Practical safety additions, such as a first aid kit and fire extinguisher, are also included.
Hyundai has not yet provided any details regarding the powertrain. However, it seems reasonable to assume the Crater is fully electric. In fact, one might even imagine it using the same 641bhp twin-motor setup found in the Ioniq 5 N.
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