Hyundai to join the ute bonanza: Everything we know about the coming dual-cab pick-up rivals to the Ford Ranger, Kia Tasman, BYD Shark 6 and Rivian R1T

Hyundai is developing its breakthrough range of dual-cab utes, offering elevated levels of design, engineering, capacity, capabilities and choice against competition as diverse as the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6, Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning.

Expected to be offered in two sizes, depending on market requirements, when sales commence from about 2026. Both the midsized T7 (think Toyota HiLux rival) and full-sized T10 (Toyota Tundra competitor) will carry the Ioniq prefix to signify their electric vehicle (EV) platform.

That’s right. As we’ve reported previously, no diesel or petrol-powered internal combustion engines (ICE) for these Hyundai utes, at least not as long as they carry an Ioniq badge.

Whether ICE utes come later in the form of a Kia Tasman-based model — after all, Hyundai is the mother brand of the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) that includes Kia as well as Genesis — remains to be seen.

Australian Hyundai dealers were told back in May the next-generation Santa Cruz has been in the pipeline for sometime, with an expected arrival date in the early second-half of this decade. It is a smaller, lighter and more-efficient petrol/hybrid-powered urban dual-cab runabout, so the brand may not even need to lean on Kia for its Ranger rival after all.

At last August’s CEO Investor Day annual general meeting, HMG revealed that it is now also pivoting towards hybrid and extended range EV (EREV) tech that combines ICE/EV tech to help consumers transition to full EVs during this period of slowing EV demand.

Does this mean that there might be T7 EREV and T10 EREV utes?

Possibly, but for now, with “Ioniq T7” and “Ioniq T9” only registered as an Australian Trade Mark in July, let’s assume that these utes will probably launch initially as EV-only utes.

Hyundai intends to lead the global EV ute industry, using an evolution of its acclaimed electrification technology that debuted with the Ioniq 5 back in 2021.

As outlined in the 2023 CEO Investor Day meeting, Hyundai is developing the Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) as a replacement for the existing E-GMP EV platform.

Slated for over a dozen coming EVs across the HMG brands through to 2030, IMA standardises modules and parts between the models to dramatically cut costs and complexity, whilst expanding into far-more vehicle types… “ranging from small and large SUVs to pickup trucks…”.

What does this mean for the Ioniq T7/T10 duo?

IMA is said to build on the E-GMP’s leading 800-volt architecture for ultra-fast charging and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, by adopting a broader choice of battery options depending on application, including solid-state batteries, as well as ‘Cell-to-Vehicle’ platform structures that integrate the battery to the vehicle body to bolster strength/rigidity while cutting weight.

And all this is applicable to vehicles that require extra ground clearance, off-road ready approach/breakover/departure angles and a 3500kg targeted maximum towing capacity. In other words, IMA has been designed for utes and larger 4x4s in mind.

So, what can we expect the Ioniq T7/T10 to look and drive like?

It is believed some of the styling cues and advanced technologies found in the just-announced Ioniq 9 full-sized EV SUV might also find their way on the electric utes.

These include intricate streamlined aerodynamics both above and beneath the vehicles to help boost efficiency, signature pixelated LED lighting and a broad stance to boost road presence, while underneath, we’re anticipating wide-track engineering and four-wheel independent suspension layout.

Additionally, with the longest wheelbase yet of any production Hyundai passenger vehicle, as well as the firm’s largest-ever battery to date in the form of a 110kWh-plus nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack, the Ioniq 9 seems to be a sign of things to come.

Other features that may be destined for the utes include the new electric SUV’s high-output electric motors (one on each axle for four-wheel drive) and rough-terrain traction-control tech, complete with AI assistance.

However, one big question remains — will Australians see just the Ioniq T7 or also its larger, clearly US-focused Ioniq T10 sibling? — Hyundai isn’t saying anything for now.

But with senior executives revealing that electrification is the path the brand has chosen for its utes, it is clear that both will set the pace whenever and where ever they finally go on sale.

Exactly when that happens remains a secret, but at the cracking pace that Hyundai is working at, they can’t be too far away.

Watch this space.