Hyundai debuted the Boulder concept at the 2026 New York auto show, and it appears to take inspiration from the Ford Bronco.The Boulder features a body-on-frame construction that will also spawn a new mid-size pickup truck by 2030.While details are scarce, Hyundai said the Boulder has off-road hardware such as huge 37-inch tires.
Hyundai has unveiled an off-road SUV concept called Boulder at the 2026 New York auto show. The Boulder’s design aims it squarely at boxy off-roaders such as the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler.
The Boulder concept’s design marries boxiness with sleek lines. Hyundai calls the design philosophy “Art of Steel.” While the overall shape is very close to that of the four-door Ford Bronco, the Boulder concept explores additional design elements from more upscale off-roaders, including the roof-mounted safari windows that recall the Land Rover Defender.
Rear-hinged coach doors for the SUV’s second row are said to aid in loading adventure gear into the cabin, and a dual-hinged rear tailgate can be opened from either side. The rear window also rolls down.
Hyundai hasn’t given ground-clearance measurements for the concept, but the approach and departure angles are aggressive. There are 37-inch mud-terrain tires that should enhance the Boulder concept’s terrain-conquering capability. Inside, the Boulder concept features thoughtful touches including fold-out tray tables and physical knobs and buttons rather than the more common touchscreen controls.
The company says the Boulder is a design preview of an upcoming body-on-frame pickup truck. But we expect a mid-size SUV like the Boulder to be part of the body-on-frame lineup as well. Hyundai says the body-on-frame platform will be developed and built in the United States for the North America market.
Six pickup trucks were among the 25 bestselling vehicles in 2025. Most were of the full-size variety—the Chevy Silverado, the Ford F-150, the GMC Sierra, and the Ram 1500—while the mid-size Toyota Tacoma and the compact Ford Maverick represented their respective segments in the list. Needless to say, this particular body style is an important one for manufacturers selling in the U.S. new-car market, and it’s an area where Hyundai could stand to gain significant ground.
Hyundai’s previous pickup-truck effort, the compact Santa Cruz, was launched around the same time as the Maverick but failed to catch fire at dealerships the way the Ford did. The Boulder’s larger body and more capable spec sheet should help the automaker make inroads into the pickup market, striking at the heart of the mid-size segment.
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Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.