Hyundai’s Boulder SUV Patent Hints at Serious Off-Road Ambitions

Hyundai is quietly moving closer to building a rugged SUV that could challenge the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. A newly surfaced design patent for the Boulder concept, filed with India’s patent office in May and approved this month, suggests the model has been green-lit for production.

The patent shows a single image that closely mirrors the original concept, which Hyundai first revealed as a styling preview for its upcoming pickup truck. Executives had said the Boulder was meant to hint at design cues, but the patent indicates the SUV itself may be headed to showrooms.

At first glance, the production version looks nearly identical to the concept, same blunt nose, bulging fenders, blocky shape, and rear coach doors. But the details tell a different story. ” The bumper gets a brick-like mesh center and simpler plastic corners. Along the sides, the round wheel arches are swapped for trapezoidal openings with unusual slots at the top.

The rear windows are smaller and no longer wrap around the pillar, and the safari-style roof windows are gone entirely. These changes suggest Hyundai is refining the design for production while keeping the bold, boxy character.

Hyundai has already confirmed its body-on-frame pickup will arrive before the end of the decade, and the Boulder SUV is expected to follow soon after. Both will likely share a platform, styling cues, and a powertrain, possibly an electric setup with a combustion range extender. Four-wheel drive should be standard or available, and locking differentials could be reserved for high-end off-road trims.

The patent filing hints that Hyundai tested public reaction with the concept and got the green light. With Nissan and Mitsubishi also reviving body-on-frame SUVs, the Boulder positions Hyundai to compete in a growing segment. CarBuzz notes this is another sign automakers see rugged, truck-based SUVs as the next big thing.