Hyundai introduces off-road SUV Crater Concept
Hyundai unveils the Crater Concept, an off-road SUV that can double as an emergency response vehicle with its fire extinguisher, first aid kit, roof lights, and crash pad. A new design study from Hyundai Motor America, the vehicle is shown for the first time at AutoMobility LA 2025 in Los Angeles, which remains on site until November 30th, 2025. Here, viewers can see the exterior of the vehicle, which the design team calls as ‘art of steel.’ It is because the SUV becomes the platform to showcase how steel can move, bend, and hold shape. The body lines follow this idea, using smooth surfaces and precise edges to show how steel behaves when pressure is applied to it.
Since the design team wants the exterior to connect to the outdoor environments, the shape of the off-road SUV Crater Concept is sharp and protruding, from the skid plates to the fenders and roof features. The vehicle’s silhouette shows steep approach and departure angles, allowing the SUV to move over rocks or slopes without touching the front or rear ends. The 18-inch wheels use a hexagonal pattern inspired by the image of an asteroid hitting a metal surface and forming a crater. The tires carry 33-inch off-road wheels for traction and clearance.
all images courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
roof doubles as platform for lights, storage and equipment
A wide skid plate is placed under the body of the off-road SUV Crater Concept by Hyundai. It covers the lower front area and protects important parts when the vehicle moves over uneven ground. The roof has a platform for lights, storage, or other equipment, and two cables run from the hood to the roof, which help move branches away from the windshield on narrow trails. The fenders follow a straight, flat design to give the vehicle strong shoulders, while the rocker panels take inspiration from protective cases used for tools or instruments, showing that the vehicle is prepared for rough terrain. The lighting system uses Hyundai’s parametric pixel language, set inside layered structures that create depth. There are also extra lights on the roof, still using the pixel theme.
Several exterior elements have hidden uses: one recovery hook works as a bottle opener, and the side-mirror cameras can be detached and used as flashlights or for recording outdoor activity. Inside the off-road SUV Crater Concept, the team adds what it calls a crash pad to the dashboard, which looks like a bent metal sheet. Up close, this pole-like structure has holes that allow soft interior lighting to pass through. Then, there’s also a full-width head-up display that shows driving data and also includes a rearview camera feed.
Hyundai unveils the Crater Concept, an off-road SUV that can double as an emergency response vehicle
buttons for terrain modes such as Snow, Sand and Mud
A visible roll cage runs around the inside of the off-road SUV Crater Concept’s cabin. It acts as a structure and as a support for grab handles, helping passengers enter or exit. The seats have wraparound forms and 3D padding for body support, and the steering wheel has a center pixel display and quick-access buttons for terrain modes such as Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and XRT. The interior contains a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a removable Bluetooth speaker, which can all be used during emergency situations and responses.
Some controls use mechanical links to small indicator lights so the driver can see each function. There’s also a small character called CRATER MAN who appears in several hidden locations as part of the off-road SUV Crater Concept’s storytelling. The team also includes an off-road controller to manage differentials, traction, braking, and driving modes. Other tools include downhill brake control, trailer brake control, a compass, and an altimeter. The exterior uses a green-gold matte tone inspired by natural California terrain, while inside, the materials include black leather, black Alcantara, brushed metal, and etched topographic lines. So far, the vehicle is still in its concept phase.
the SUV becomes the platform to showcase how steel can move, bend, and hold shape
the shape of the off-road SUV Crater Concept is sharp and protruding, from the skid plates to fenders
the doors swing outwards
glimpse inside the off-road SUV Crater Concept by Hyundai
the team adds what it calls a crash pad to dashboard, which looks like a bent metal sheet
the steering wheel has a center pixel display and quick-access buttons for terrain modes
the seats have wraparound forms and 3D padding for body support
the driving modes include Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and XRT
project info:
name: Crater Concept
car manufacturer: Hyundai | @hyundaiusa
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