by Brad Anderson
- Hyundai and GM are jointly developing a mid-size pickup for 2028.
- Speculative rendering shows it blending Hyundai and GMC styling cues.
- Key design details have been lifted from the new Hyundai Palisade.
Last month, Hyundai and General Motors announced they would co-develop five new vehicles aimed primarily at Central and South America, with one of them, a van, also headed for the U.S. Among the lineup is a mid-size pickup, and if it ends up looking anything like this speculative rendering, the automakers could have a real hit on their hands.
As the mid-size truck won’t hit the market until 2028, its design remains a mystery. To help visualize what it might look like, digital artist Theottle reimagined the current GMC Canyon with Hyundai styling cues.
Hyundai Meets GMC
The result blends elements from the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Palisade SUV into a rugged, squared-off pickup that looks surprisingly cohesive. If the eventual production model comes close, we suspect it might not just tempt buyers in Latin America, but also stir demand in North America.
Read: GM And Hyundai Team Up For Five Joint Models
The overall shape and proportions of the Canyon have been retained in these images, but new front and rear quarter panels have been designed, as have new black plastic fenders. Dominating the front end is a squared and blacked-out grille with a large Hyundai badge and an LED light bar sitting above it. The headlights take inspiration from the Palisade, but are boxier and simpler, meaning they are better suited to a pickup like this. A beefy bumper with exposed red tow hooks has also been added alongside a skid plate.
Found at the rear are eye-catching LED taillights similar to those of the Palisade, although they are slightly wider and don’t appear quite as tall. The tailgate is fairly simple and nicely integrated, as is the new rear bumper.
There’s no word on what kind of powertrains the jointly developed pickup truck will have, but Hyundai has confirmed that each of the five models it’s building with GM will offer ICE and hybrid options. Both brands have several different gas, diesel, and hybrid setups they could choose to install.
In addition to the mid-size pickup set to hit the market, Hyundai and GM will also work on a compact car, a compact crossover, a compact truck, and an electric commercial van as part of their joint program.
