--- title: "Body-on-Frame Hyundai Truck Coming to US by 2030, SUV Likely Next" date: "2025-09-18" modified: "2025-09-18" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/body-on-frame-hyundai-truck-coming-to-us-by-2030-suv-likely-next" categories: - "Hyundai News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Hyundai" - "pickup" - "santa cruz" --- # Body-on-Frame Hyundai Truck Coming to US by 2030, SUV Likely Next ![Hyundai Santa Cruz off-roading]() *\Hyundai\* If you're an avid reader of *The Drive*, you may have noticed a tidbit in [this morning's edition of *The Downshift*]() about Hyundai bringing a midsize pickup to the United States by the end of the decade. That came out of the [announcement]() accompanying Hyundai's investor presentation in New York City this morning, but after reviewing the proverbial tape, it sounds like [Hyundai]() is actually preparing a multi-pronged body-on-frame offensive aimed at the U.S. market, and we may end up getting both a midsize truck *and* SUV out of the deal. "Pickup trucks represent a white-space opportunity we are ready to capture," CEO José Muñoz said [during his presentation](). "The midsize truck segment is one of the largest and most profitable in the industry. Since launching Santa Cruz back in 2021, we've gained valuable experience and brand presence in this segment." "Now, we are preparing to launch a new body-on-frame model before 2030 to build out our truck portfolio, with the potential for an SUV variant," he continued. "This expansion allows us to broaden our reach and connect directly with customers at the heart of the US market." Muñoz then pivoted (somewhat ironically) to updates on the company's electrification efforts, leaving us with only that tantalizing tidbit. This means that we're not only on track to get a new midsize, body-on-frame Hyundai pickup before 2030, but quite possibly an SUV too, giving Hyundai a competitor to the [Toyota 4Runner]() and, to a lesser extent, the [Jeep Wrangler]() and [Ford Bronco](). Just last year, we heard that GM and Hyundai had formed a partnership to explore joint development opportunities. While rumors suggested that [Hyundai might get a pickup out of the deal](), that's likely to be aimed at other global markets. This latest announcement points toward a wholly-owned Hyundai platform and vehicle for its U.S.-bound trucks. So far, our only example of a Hyundai pickup truck is the [Santa Cruz](). It's a [perfectly fine little trucklet](), but like the [Ford Maverick](), it's somewhat hamstrung by the fact that it shares its fundamental underpinnings with a small unibody crossover, and in Hyundai's case, since it was designed as more of a lifestyle truck than a practical pickup, the Santa Cruz's bona fides aren't really anything to write home about. More than that, a new midsize body-on-frame platform would give [Hyundai]() a jumping-off point to other truck-y segments, from larger pickups to premium off-road SUVs. Just think, by the middle of the next decade, Genesis might be building its own take on a *Geländewagen*. What a world, eh? *Got a tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()