Big brand’s HiLux hunter confirmed: Hyundai to build rugged 2026 Ford Ranger or BYD Shark 6 rival before the end of the decade

Hyundai is joining the ute arms race.

The South Korean brand has confirmed it will build a ute to rival the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux before 2030.

The company confirmed it would be fit for purpose with rugged ladder frame underpinnings, which supports all the other four-wheel drive utes.

Hyundai is expected to use the expertise gained from sister brand Kia’s new Tasman dual-cab ute, which launched in Australia this year.

Hyundai’s workhorse is likely to forgo the Tasman’s diesel-power and focus on petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid grunt.

New Hyundai Australia boss Don Romano told CarsGuide recently, "Australia doesn't need another diesel ute".

Instead, petrol, petrol-hybrid or plug-in hybrid options are being explored.

"I think we have to look at options. And I can't tell you whether that's a PHEV, a HEV or a BEV, but I think those are options that have to be considered. And I think those are the areas that will give us an opportunity for expansion," he said.

This will give Hyundai a genuine competitor to the Ford Ranger PHEV and the instant hit BYD Shark 6.

BYD’s Shark 6 makes a combined 321kW and 650Nm and can sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.7 seconds.

Ford’s new Ranger PHEV makes 207kW and 697Nm from its petrol-electric combo. The Ranger also has a 3500kg towing capacity compared to the Shark 6’s pedestrian 2500kg.

Any Hyundai PHEV ute will need to match or better these two market leaders if it wants to stand a chance.

A plug-in hybrid or hybrid is more likely to give the Tasman some breathing room, so it doesn’t have to compete with its own corporate cousin.

It also points to the Hyundai ute being more focused on North America and other global markets where petrol is preferred over diesel.

Strengthening the vehicle’s North American bent is Hyundai has confirmed it will co-develop the ute with General Motors.

US Outlet Car and Driver claimed Hyundai’s global boss Jose Munoz said the ute would spawn a rugged off-roader.

This would give Hyundai an answer to the popular Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.

Kia has also been linked to a tough 4WD based on its Tasman ute.

Kia hasn’t confirmed the vehicle but said it is a possibility, but it needed to make sure the Tasman was a success before it spawned any other variants or vehicles.