01:46 18-11-2025

First look at the Hyundai CRATER Concept off-road show car

Explore the Hyundai CRATER Concept, a rugged off-road show car debuting November 20 at AutoMobility LA 2025, with sketches and XRT-inspired design from HATCI.

Hyundai has released the first images of the CRATER Concept, a vivid off-road show car engineered for extreme terrain that will make its debut on November 20 at AutoMobility LA 2025. The reveal will be streamed, and afterward the concept will remain on the brand’s stand for the duration of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The initial sketches outline a muscular, angular look built around durability and function. Compact proportions, reinforced elements, and a clear emphasis on off-road capability highlight CRATER’s intent to tackle harsh landscapes. The stance reads as more purposeful than flashy, the kind of approach that tends to matter when the trail turns unforgiving.

The project was developed at Hyundai’s HATCI center in California, where the team drew inspiration from some of the world’s toughest natural regions. The concept builds on ideas from Hyundai’s XRT lineup, which already includes the IONIQ 5 XRT, SANTA CRUZ XRT, and the new PALISADE XRT PRO, and it fits neatly alongside those themes.

Although CRATER remains a design experiment, it points to a broader expansion of the brand’s off-road family. Hyundai notes consistent demand for adventure-focused SUVs, and this concept sketches a clear direction for what the next wave of such vehicles could look like.