Hyundai plotting Creta-based small bakkie – report
Hyundai is reportedly developing a new small bakkie that is expected to be based on the Creta. Here’s what we know about this rumoured unibody pickup so far…
It’s an idea the South Korean automaker has flirted with before and now it appears to be firmly back on the table. Yes, Hyundai is reportedly developing a new small bakkie based on the Creta.
According to Brazilian website Mobiauto, sources within the company have confirmed that development of a new Creta-based contender is well underway, with the newcomer set to be positioned below the Tucson-based (and likewise unibody) Santa Cruz.
As the publication points out, this is by no means a new idea considering Hyundai revealed a small bakkie concept (called the Creta STC – or “Sport Truck Concept”) at the São Paulo Motor Show way back in 2016. That show vehicle – which obviously didn’t ever make it to production – was based on the 1st-generation Creta, while the upcoming version looks set to borrow its underpinnings from the 2nd-gen model.
Mobiauto speculates that the new Creta-based small bakkie will be released in initial markets “in 2026 or 2027”, adding that the pickup version will likely borrow several components – such as the engine, front doors and much of the dashboard – from the SUV. What it will end up being called, however, remains to be seen.
Interestingly, Hyundai isn’t the only company seemingly eyeing a small unibody bakkie. Toyota, for instance, is said to be hard at work developing a new Corolla-based pickup, while Fiat has already confirmed its upcoming new Panda family of vehicles will include a small bakkie.
Volkswagen, too, is thought to be putting the finishing touches on a fresh-faced unibody bakkie that could end up wearing the Udara badge. This model may well be related to the bakkie spin-off the German firm’s local division hopes to build at its Kariega facility right here in South Africa.
But back to the rumoured Creta-based bakkie. The big question for Mzansi, of course, is whether or not such a model will also be built in right-hand-drive form, considering it appears to be pitched at left-hand-drive markets in South America. On that front, only time will tell. We’ll keep our eyes peeled…
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