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Hyundai Teases Electric Pickup Truck to Rival Rivian, Ford, Ram

Hyundai might be joining the electric pickup race. Spotted: an IONIQ 9 prototype with off-road features suggests a rugged, powerful truck is on the way.

In the image we can see there are many vehicles. This is a road, grass, fence, electric pole,...
In the image we can see there are many vehicles. This is a road, grass, fence, electric pole, electric wires, trees, benches, buildings, windows of the buildings and a pale blue sky.

Hyundai Teases Electric Pickup Truck to Rival Rivian, Ford, Ram

Hyundai is hinting at an all-electric pickup truck to join its lineup, potentially rivalling the likes of Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the upcoming Ram 1500 REV. The South Korean automaker could use the IONIQ 9's platform for this new model, promising generous range and power.

Recent sightings of an uncamouflaged Hyundai IONIQ 9 prototype with an unusual front-mounted winch have sparked speculation about Hyundai's plans. The winch, beefy tires, and raised ride height suggest the vehicle is designed for rugged terrain, making a strong case for the pickup mule theory. If this prototype represents the XRT version, the winch could hint at Hyundai pushing the Chevy brand further into functional territory.

The planned electric pickup from Hyundai, rumoured to be named 'Santa Cruz EV', could use the IONIQ 9's large platform, giving it the flexibility to build a full-size EV truck with generous range, power, and utility. Hyundai has hinted at expanding its EV lineup beyond SUVs, and a dedicated electric pickup truck would make sense as part of its global strategy.

The winch, raised ride height, and chunky off-road tires on the IONIQ 9 prototype suggest Hyundai is exploring the rugged pickup truck market. If this prototype is indeed a test mule for the 'Santa Cruz EV', Hyundai could be set to compete directly with established players in the electric pickup segment.

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