Key highlights
- Hyundai drops first official teaser of its new CRATER concept
- Concept previews the brand’s next design direction for mobility and space use
- Full global debut scheduled for AutoMobility LA 2025
Hyundai has released the first teaser for its upcoming CRATER concept, and while the brand hasn’t shown much more than a shadowy silhouette, the message is clear: this one is going to be a big statement. The concept will make its global debut at AutoMobility LA 2025, where Hyundai traditionally showcases its boldest experimental ideas before they trickle down to production.
The design
The teaser shows a tall, sculpted profile with sharp surfaces and a distinctive light signature. Hyundai says the CRATER concept explores the idea of “open-space mobility” which is essentially rethinking how people use cabin space when cars do far more than just move from A to B. It hints at a blend of autonomous tech, flexible interiors and future-ready sustainability, all packaged in a form that looks equal parts SUV and lounge capsule.
Hyundai’s design teams in Namyang and California have jointly developed the project, and the concept is expected to influence multiple future vehicles, not just a single nameplate. The brand has been doubling down on modular architectures and EV-specific platforms, and the CRATER could be the next big chapter in that playbook.
While Hyundai hasn’t confirmed whether the concept is fully electric, it wouldn’t be a stretch to expect it. The company has been steadily widening its EV portfolio with the Ioniq lineup, N-brand performance EVs and hydrogen experimentation. The CRATER concept could serve as a preview for a new generation of lifestyle-oriented EVs aimed at buyers who want more than a traditional car experience.
We might also see new materials, lighting tech and interior packaging ideas that Hyundai hopes will shape its global portfolio over the next decade. As with most concepts from the brand, expect at least 40–50 percent of the design elements to reach production in some form.
The full reveal at AutoMobility LA will likely include a detailed walkthrough from Hyundai’s design bosses, and possibly early hints at when the first production derivative will arrive.
Our thoughts
Hyundai has a habit of over-delivering on its concepts, so I’m already bracing myself for something wild. The CRATER name alone sounds like they’re planning to land this thing on the moon. And honestly, judging from the silhouette, I wouldn’t be surprised if it came with a “terrain mode: lunar.”
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