Hyundai’s Boulder Concept Delivers Real Off-Road Muscle in Steel

Hyundai just revealed its Boulder concept at the New York Auto Show. This body-on-frame SUV is a true head turner, with a bold and upright posture and panels in Liquid Titanium that give off a stunning matte finish. The California design firm had a precise vision in mind when they created every crease and curve, pulling inspiration from the company’s own materials knowledge and the Art of Steel concept. The end result is a vehicle that appears stable and capable from all angles.

The fenders are nice and wide, wrapping around some serious 37-inch mud-terrain tires bolted to 18-inch wheels, and you’ll notice a full-size spare stowed away nicely at the back, ready to switch out on some remote dirt track. There’s also a long light bar running up top that shines a lot of light down the trail in front of you, as well as a low-profile roof rack that can carry a variety of goods without adding too much mass. To ensure your safety, there are tow hooks front and back, and the entire structure is perched high enough to easily sail over rocks and ruts. It also has ample of clearance, generous approach, departure, and breakover angles, and a respectable fording depth, indicating that it was designed for serious off-roading.

The coach doors swing open wide on the sides, but the front doors work as usual, while the rear pair swing back, leaving a clear path for loading people or gear into either row. The tailgate hinges from each side, allowing it to drop down regardless of the direction the car is facing. The power-operated rear window is also a great addition, as it can be fully lowered to allow lengthy things to slip in or to let fresh air circulate on a hot day. Every feature here is intended to make trail life a little easier, without making you jump through hoops.

Inside the cabin, the dash is clutter-free, with real knobs and buttons for all critical controls. There are numerous little screens throughout to keep the driver and passenger updated, allowing you to focus on the trail rather than messing with settings. The grab handles are made of durable material that can withstand a beating, and the fold-out tables on the side are ideal for a quick snack or a map check. The upper windows even open up like a safari vehicle, allowing in tons of light and views while also transforming the entire room into a fairly useful mobile base camp. A flat bottom steering wheel completes the purposeful sense of the vehicle while not interfering with tight driving conditions.

Hyundai designed the Boulder on a fully enclosed body-on-frame platform, which will be utilized for a midsize pickup truck on US roads by 2030. Production versions of this monster will be built in US facilities using domestic steel, as part of a larger drive that will feature 36 new or refreshed models by the end of the decade. Early signs imply that it will be a plug-in hybrid system, with electric motors handling day-to-day driving and a gasoline engine kicking in only when the battery is low. With front and rear locking differentials, independent front suspension, and a live rear axle, it’s clear that handling in rough terrain will be effortless.