New Delhi: Hyundai have toyed with the idea of having a body-on-frame truck for years. The carmaker confirmed that they would build one last year, and now now we have a look at the platform that will underpin this. It comes disguised as the Boulder Concept, a boxy SUV that the brand also might make.
The Boulder comes with a two-box silhouette donning the Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design elements, making its debut at this year’s New York Auto Show. The carmaker have said that the concept, which was designed in the United States, signals the brand’s future design direction.
We’re excited to reveal the latest in Hyundai innovation: The Boulder Concept. It’s an SUV-shaped design preview of Hyundai’s very first body-on-frame vehicle, which invites new off-roading potential to fuel your adventure-seeking. 🏞️#NYIAS #Hyundai #HyundaiBoulder pic.twitter.com/6syeEoxJ11
— Hyundai USA (@Hyundai) April 1, 2026
Hyundai Boulder concept design and interior
The body-on-frame platform, the automaker’s first, will underpin a new midsize pickup coming by 2030 and other future vehicles. This might actually include a future off-road-oriented SUV that will likely look quite similar to the Boulder, if Hyundai’s past concepts are to give any signal.
Hyundai Boulder Concept design elements (Image via ‘X’)
As per Hyundai, the Boulder’s boxy design makes the SUV have quite “aggressive approach, departure, and breakover angles” and comes with a “generous fording depth “ as well. It comes wearing 37-inch mud-terrain tyres and also gets a full-size mounted spare on the tailgate. The tailgate features a double-hinge that opens in both direction and a power drop-down back window.
On the inside, the Boulder gets a retro-futuristic cabin. It doesn’t have the traditional display for the gauges, instead of showing vital vehicle information at the bottom of the windshield, much like a head-up display but covering the full-width. The rounded dashboard comes with four small square displays with physical controls, in place of a single massive screen, and that does look quite fun.
Hyundai Boulder Concept interior (Image via ‘X’)
Hyundai Boulder concept expected powertrain and arrival
Hyundai have not mentioned the likely powertrain, but it can be expected that the platform will be able to hold all-electric, combustion and hybrid options. Hyundai have said that it is still in the innate stage of development, and the body-on-frame platform, but the timeline they have given is closer and its expected that more details about the truck and other models will be out soon.
Whether it is coming to India is unknown but with a very competitive market, and an inclination for rugged SUVs prominent in India, Hyundai has a case to make. In years, it has slipped from its second place in car sales in FY26. So, a product in a good price range from Hyundai might actually make sense, but only time will tell whether the Boulder Concept’s production version makes it to the Indian shores.