Kia recently unveiled its hotly-anticipated ute, the Tasman, and it's safe to say the reception to its design has been mixed at best.
Designed to resemble a hammerhead shark from the front, and presumably to look as though it's wearing floaties when viewed from the side, its designers say the "bold" look was designed to help it stand out in a crowded space full of similarly-styled vehicles.
While I can respect the gamble, I'm not convinced it has paid off. What it did get me thinking about, though, is what Hyundai could do were it to borrow the Tasman's platform. After all, a Hyundai ute has been long-anticipated as well.
I bring you, the Sonora – a name in keeping with the nearby Tucson and Santa Fe. Parts of this Mexican state are even geographically closer to Kona, Hawaii than the other two as well.
In keeping with all three, items such as the shape of the wheel arches has been borrowed from the Kona, while the lighting signature and the shape of the grille is a nod to the Tucson. It's admittedly furthest from the new Santa Fe, but that sharp body line running along the side does at least add a hint of its boxiness.
Plus, it at least makes it look a bit tougher than the brand's first pickup truck – the unibody, North America-only Santa Cruz.
Oh, and since there's the Genesis connection with Hyundai, why not throw the brand's 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine in it? I'm not envisioning a full Ford Ranger Raptor rival off-road, but when it comes to on-road applications this engine would give it a run for its money.
2026 Hyundai Sonora
Suggested Specifications
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol (from Genesis)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Full-time 4WD
Power: 279kW // 379PS
Torque: 530Nm // 391lb-ft
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 6.4 seconds
