Jump LinksWhat Is A Body-on-frame Midsize Truck?Ask anyone outside the US about what cars Americans drive, and they'll naturally say pickup trucks. That's why almost every manufacturer is getting in on the action, and especially the Koreans as they build on their strong presence. Hyundai is the latest to get in on the action, and with its Santa Cruz nearing the end of production this year, it will be going after the lucrative midsize market.In this article, we'll be going over the known details of Hyundai's next fighter and where it fits into this competitive segment. It's meant to be with us before 2030 and be built in the US, but will customers go for a new player in the game or stick to one of the homegrown and proven brands? Let's take a look.We have used a variety of reputable sources to provide the latest information we know about the upcoming Hyundai pickup truck. We have also predicted details based on previous models and current trends. Some details may differ from the final production vehicle. What Is Hyundai's Midsize Truck? img-2030-hyundai-boulder-pickup-rendering-front-viewWe've known for a while that Hyundai wants to break into the midsize pickup truck segment, and the reasons are obvious. The Korean manufacturer has announced that it wants to grow North American sales from 834,000 in 2024 to 1.44 million by 2030, and expanding its product line is a perfect way to do that. While we were told that Hyundai and GM may be working together on a midsize truck, CEO Jose Munoz announced that it will be developed entirely in-house. According to a recent patent, it may also feature a removable roof and doors like the Jeep Wrangler.The New York Auto Show's Hyundai Boulder concept may have also previewed Hyundai's design language. The SUV concept revealed at the show has the same underpinnings as the next body-on-frame truck, and it's industrial, brutish, and much more purposeful than the Santa Cruz Unibody truck. We've had some renders made up courtesy of HotCars, and we think that it looks great.Speaking of looks, it'll hopefully be a bit easier on the eyes than Kia's Tasman pickup. It's expensive to manufacture a completely new platform, so Hyundai may use much of its sister company's mechanicals as the basis for its new SUV and midsize truck. Kia doesn't sell the Tasman in the US (yet), so Hyundai may need to modify it to comply with American regulations. What Is A Body-on-frame Midsize Truck? ToyotaSimply put, a body-on-frame SUV or truck splits the construction into two parts. The ladder-frame chassis will carry all the mechanical components like the engine and drivetrain, and then the passenger compartment is bolted on top. This is preferable to unibody designs in this application as it offers better towing and durability figures. A midsize truck simply sits below a full-size truck (like the Ford F-150), and is a great mix of capability and compact size. A New Design That Still Looks Like A Hyundai HotCars/ValnetIf you look at the Ioniq 5 hatchback, or even the Santa Fe SUV, recent Hyundai designs are angular and boxy. That translates well to an off-roading SUV or a pickup truck, and the upcoming products are sure to look distinct in a market that's been rather stale. The Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma are all relatively similar with big grilles and low rooflines, but the Hyundai looks genuinely new.Low overhangs at the front and rear mean that approach and departure angles will be great for off-roading, and we'd love to see the spare tire from the SUV come to the pickup as well. As we mentioned, the small topless pickup truck market might get a new player, and the patent refers to the seal that makes the roof panel weatherproof. That may not be in every trim, although the recent 'XRT' trims for the Ioniq 5 show that Hyundai likes to get its hands dirty. What Powers The Hyundai Midsize Truck? HyundaiUnfortunately, we don't know much about what will actually power the new Hyundai pickup truck. The Boulder SUV concept at the NY Auto Show was more of a styling exercise to show off what the company could do, so we're not sure of which direction it'll go in. The Toyota Tacoma, one of the truck's closest rivals, has proved that hybrid power can add to the truck experience, not just be there to appease emissions tests.Around the time that Hyundai revealed its intentions for this truck, it also talked about a future where extended-range electric vehicles (or EREVs) are popular. This is where the engine never powers the wheels, and acts solely as a generator for the electric motor, increasing range and smoothness at the same time. Toyota tuned its hybrid system to power and capability, so could Hyundai go the other way and market this midsize truck as an efficiency powerhouse? Small Size Doesn't Mean Small Competition 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Trail BossHyundai is entering the midsize game at its peak as more automakers are bringing out their own versions. The big players are Ford and Chevrolet with the Ranger and Colorado, respectively. These two trucks have had a long history of dependable transport and are strong as work trucks, which is important for this segment. Hyundai's usual batch of cars - like compact sedans and crossovers - target customers that are relatively brand agnostic, but in the pickup truck game, it's different.Most buyers have a brand loyalty that is based around something being offered that perfectly fits their lifestule and needs. Ford knows its buyers love the Raptor series and goes all-out on performance, while Chevy's customers usually prefer a homegrown brand. Jeep's buyers are some of the most loyal, as the brand has always stood for tough off-road performance.The question is, where will Hyundai fit into that category with its new pickup truck? Will it go for the full off-road-ready route to match its looks and try to take the crown from the Gladiator? Or will it focus on hybrid efficiency and capability like the Toyota? Being a Hyundai, we could see it trying to offer a range of trims for every occasion at a price that's accessible to the masses. Why Is The Hyundai Midsize Truck Important? Hotcars/ValnetIt's always important when another manufacturer enters a segment - as they'll bring fresh perspectives on how it should be done. Take the Lexus LS 400 when it was a new player in the sedan game - it showed the Germans that they needed to innovate to stay on top and put Lexus on the map for anyone looking for a premium sedan. The same could happen with Hyundai.The Korean manufacturer has been scoring recently, with models like the Ioniq 5N and Ioniq 9 giving you luxury and features for less. Its strategy has been to fill the market with a car for everyone at any price point, and while that's worked out well, they'll have to continue this into the midsize truck segment. With a target of 1.44 million cars sold in 2030, it's no wonder that a Hyundai small truck might be the way to hit that target.