Hyundai’s hybrid ute edges closer with Ranger in its sights

Hyundai has effectively confirmed a dual-cab ute coming to Australia will almost certainly have a hybrid powertrain, with local executives revealing a PHEV or EREV setup to be the preferred option. Several engineering pathways – including a possible General Motors partnership – also remain under consideration ahead of the ute’s reveal in 2027.

After years of speculation surrounding a Hyundai ute for Australia, Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson has provided the clearest indication yet that the project is well advanced.

While acknowledging Hyundai will arrive later than established rivals, Donaldson said the brand intends to stand out when it finally enters Australia's fiercely contested ute market.

“There’s no doubt we’ll be late to the party. That’s the reality,” he told carsales.

“So when we do come to the party, we want to make sure everyone sees us when we walk through the door, and I think the powertrain will be the key from that point of view.”

Donaldson indicated a conventional internal combustion powertrain is unlikely to headline the new model.

“I think realistically, in our eyes, a hybrid or an EREV would be what we would be looking at,” he said.

These powertrains will also be necessary in order to meet Australia’s ever-tightening NVES emissions laws, which are set to make life extremely challenging (and expensive) for many diesel utes in 2027 and beyond.

While the new Hyundai ute – or utes – is in all likelihood a signed and sealed deal, Donaldson refused to be drawn on precise details. However, he did confirm two potential options: getting into bed with General Motors or potentially utilising Kia's ladder-frame architecture.

“There’s probably two or three different scenarios that they’re looking at [at the] present time,” he said.

“There’s also still our relationship with GM. We’d also be saying there’s an opportunity to look at Kia who has got a platform that maybe we can also connect into as well.”

Industry sources suggest the GM-backed option has become the frontrunner, with the new ute expected to arrive in Australia potentially by late 2027.

Donaldson made it clear Hyundai views Australia’s ute market as a strategic priority.

“There’s no doubt the recognition of the ute market, not just inside Australia but inside the Asia Pacific corridor, is very high up on HMC’s ranking. Very high up,” he told carsales.

When asked about rivals, Donaldson nominated the Ford Ranger as the benchmark while acknowledging the disruption caused by the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6.

“The benchmark in Australia historically over the last 10 years has been Ranger,” he said.

“You want to use that as the benchmark and then make sure whatever powertrain we bring in is unique to it. If you bring in something unique, which is what the Shark has brought in, you can see that it can drive customers to your business.”

Hyundai has previously outlined that its new ute must satisfy Australian buyers’ expectations for towing capacity, payload and durability while also serving as a capable family vehicle.

But it’s now clear that the company aiming to deliver a significantly differentiated product to most of its competitors, rather than simply another entrant into the segment.

Lead and bottom images generated with AI

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