13:53 30-11-2025

Rugged Hyundai Kona Crater prototype spotted testing off-road

Spy photographers capture a lifted Hyundai Kona Crater prototype with reworked suspension, off-road tires and tow hooks—hinting at a production-ready model.

On secluded test roads, spy photographers from Healer TV captured an unusual Hyundai Kona that looks little like the regular crossover. The radical tweaks suggest Hyundai is preparing a new entry for the off-road space—likely a production take on the Crater project, which debuted at the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show. Judging by the hardware, this looks like more than a styling exercise.

The prototype shows a markedly raised ride height, reworked suspension, and aggressive off-road tires. Such a jump in geometry points to tests of approach and departure angles and a push to boost capability. A sizable instrumentation pod sits on the hood—a telltale test-car fixture used to gather telemetry and calibrate the powertrain.

From the side, there are additional auxiliary lights, while front and rear wear hefty tow hooks—typical kit for trials in harsh conditions. At the back sit dual side-exit exhaust pipes, highly unusual for a Kona and likely a temporary setup to accommodate new hardware.

With demand growing for adventure-flavored crossovers, Hyundai has long been eyeing the space occupied by the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness and Ford Bronco Sport. The Crater trademark has already been registered, and the sight of such an extreme test mule suggests the project may be edging closer to reality—timing that aligns neatly with current buyer interest.

If the Crater does reach the market, it could get reinforced suspension, extra underbody protection, and a retuned powertrain with more torque. That formula would put it right in the mix with the class leaders.