Major brand's standout ute edging closer

According to Korean Car Blog, the brand has filed a new patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a ute.

The patent includes drawings of a pick-up truck, which features a detachable door design, similar to that found on the Ford Bronco and several iconic Jeep models like the Wrangler. 

The Bronco and Wrangler have been popular choices in the North American market, meaning Hyundai could be targeting a new segment, shifting towards an off-road oriented vehicle.

While patent designs show a ute, Korean Car Blog suggest the removable door design could be adapted to a rugged four-wheel drive SUV to compliment the mainly family-friendly Hyundai range currently on offer. 

The brand already offers the Santa Cruz ute in North America but it is so far yet to make its way elsewhere, partly because it is manufactured in left-hand drive only.

Hyundai is one of few major brands not to offer a ute as part of its line-up in Australia. 

Major players like Ford and Toyota have long established successful ute endeavours, and many Chinese brands have also brought across utes in recent times. 

The plans for the Hyundai ute highlight a boxy design, similar to sister brand Kia’s Tasman ute. 

There are still no details on any potential specifications for the ute with development clearly still in its infancy. 

It is unclear at this stage whether this new ute design is destined for Australia, but it was confirmed late last year that there would be some form of a Hyundai ute down under. 

Hyundai Australia boss Don Romano told CarsGuide a ute would be ready for launch by the end of 2028. 

 "My work permit goes for another two and a half years. I'm not leaving until it's coming,” Romano said in November 2025.

“If they produce what we're talking about at this stage and what we're working on, it's gonna be mind blowing, it's gonna be great. And I really mean that, I'm not just blowing smoke.”

Removable doors could fit the bill of something 'mind blowing'.

The ute in prospect will be a standalone design and not share the Tasman's platform, nor that of the Chevrolet Colorado - a product of the joint venture between Hyundai and General Motors.