Hyundai’s Crater is an Off-Road Machine Built for Untamed Trails

At the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai introduced the Crater, a compact SUV concept that isn’t afraid to take on rugged terrain. This monster was born at Hyundai’s American technology center in Irvine, California, and its appearance reflects its capabilities.

SangYup Lee, Hyundai and Genesis’ global head of design, stated unequivocally during the reveal: “‘What does freedom look like?’ We asked ourselves that question when we began working on CRATER, and this is what we came up with. It’s a concept inspired from our love of travel…to encourage our consumers to get out and truly experience the excitement of adventure.” He’s referring to a machine formed by the untamed spirit of California, which includes jagged rocks and seemingly limitless stretches of empty space.

The Crater exudes a sense of sturdiness; the large fenders protrude from the body, giving it a grounded stance ideal for navigating uneven terrain. A steel skid plate at the front protects the undercarriage from damage, and there are two bright orange recovery hooks for pulling the vehicle out of deep ruts, one of which is even a bottle opener. Cables extend from the hood to the roof, deflecting any snapping branches that may be lurking on the trail. The wheels are 18 inches in diameter, wrapped in 33-inch knobby tires, and positioned high up on the frame, allowing it to carve out steep angles, scramble over obstacles, and descend into gullies. The Crater is painted a lovely matte green-gold color that catches the light brilliantly, especially against the orange highlights, which lend a little of flair without overwhelming it.

The lights on this vehicle are rather neat; they’re compact and precise for cutting through dust or darkness in the front and back, while the row of auxiliary lighting on the roof rack is great for nighttime driving or signaling in tight spaces. The doors swing wide, making it simple to get in and out, even when loaded with belongings. The side mirrors are also detachable, converting into little cameras with built-in LEDs that allow you to see over obstacles or record footage while driving.

Inside the cabin, the walls close in around the driver and passengers, providing a safe refuge. A rollcage defines the space by acting as a structural framework and grab bars for the supporting seats, which are bolted in with serious-looking four-point belts and strong side bolsters. They conform to your body even in the tightest of corners. You’ll want a pair of these boots; black leather and suede protect the surfaces that will be ripped up on a regular basis, performing a good job, while brushed metal adds a bit of harsh edge. The etched patterns on the panels, similar to a topo map, add to the overall motif and serve as a reminder of the outer scenery. Little lights shine through the tiny perforations in the dash, producing a pleasant glow that responds to glare.

The controls are straightforward and apparent, beginning with the steering wheel, which is a classic old squared-off design with buttons for terrain modes (snow, sand, mud, or auto) right in the spokes and a tiny LCD in the middle to show you what mode you’re in. There is no large touchscreen to dominate the space; instead, information is projected down onto the windshield, and you get feeds from the mirror cameras and other gizmos. The gears are all laid out on the center stack for you to experiment with, including locking diffs front and rear, some traction changes to help you climb up those slick portions, and a few dials to adjust your brake settings for those steep descents. Of course, there’s a compass and an altimeter nearby, providing all of the necessary information.

Power comes from an electric setup borrowed from the IONIQ 5, which delivers a respectable 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque to each wheel. An 84-kilowatt-hour battery should provide you with approximately 350 miles of range on a single charge, enough to ferry you between outposts. Off-road modes provide fine adjustment to help you get through the slick sections, as well as downhill control to keep your speed stable on steep dips. Locking differentials direct torque to where it needs to go, converting possible stalls into smooth sailing. Because of the large tires, clearance is ample, allowing you to scrape over pebbles that would hang up smaller vehicles.
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