While America was electing a new president on November 8, Hyundai debuted its new Creta STC pickup concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil. Basically a re-think of Hyundai’s Santa Cruz pickup concept, this truck takes the design idea to the next level, bringing a more youthful appearance aimed at attracting younger buyers in the South American region.

Not much is known about the concept except that its based on Hyundai’s two-row, five-passenger crossover called the Creta, but is larger in just about every dimension. The truck version is nearly a meter longer than the standard Creta, and is a few inches wider. Its wheelbase is also extended by nine inches.

The Creta STC Concept was developed by Hyundai’s design center in South Korea in conjunction with Hyundai Motor Brazil’s development team in order to create a highly targeted truck. The design direction points the Creta STC Concept at young Brazilians living in large urban areas who seek a mix of utility and sportiness.

The unibody pickup features many design elements that appear more production ready than the Santa Cruz Concept. Whether or not Hyundai will actually move forward with this design is yet to be seen. If it does get the green light, the chances of Hyundai green lighting the U.S.-spec Santa Cruz should become even higher.

Continue reading to learn more about the Hyundai Creta STC Concept.

Exterior

They Hyundai Creta STC Concept features a futuristic design styling that closely resembled that of the Santa Cruz concept that debuted at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. The truck is clearly riding on a unibody structure thanks to its uninterrupted beltline. The bed rails seamlessly climb onto the root structure. Blacked-out A-pillars give the cabin a clamshell-like look, further perpetuated by the C-like kink on the C-pillar.

The front shares much of Hyundai’s current design language, including the six-sided grille with horizontal louvers. The sharp LED headlights ride high on the fascia, almost becoming a part of the front fenders. Prominent LED fog lights or daytime running lights are very distinctive. Exposed tow hooks just above the grey bumper trim gives an air of capability and credibility to Hyundai’s crossover pickup concept.

Around back, the design detailing is much more conservative than the U.S.’ Santa Cruz concept. A large tailgate swoops around the sides of the truck, consuming most of the taillights and dipping down into the bumper area. The LED taillights are also reminiscent of Hyundai’s current taillight design. LED taillight accents in the bumper match the lighting accents in the front bumper.

While the body is interesting, the roofline takes the cake. That blacked-out A-pillar gives the truck a toy-like appearance. The thin B-pillar only seems to be comprised of a rubber seal between the two sections of glass. The thick C-pillar adds tons of expression, while adding an interesting sail panel with the center high mounted stop light and tie-down holes.

Hyundai says the truck rides on 21-inch wheels fitted with 295/40-series Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires.

Interior

Hyundai has not released any photos of the Creta STC’s interior, but we do have a view of the cargo bed. Innovation clearly wins out over traditionalism here. The floor appears to have tie-downs mounted in what appears to be arms that swing upward 90 degrees, perhaps to hold a bicycle. Weatherproof speakers reside in the bulkhead near at the cabin. More tie-down points reside along the bed rails and there’s even a compartment for a first aid kit.

There’s no official word on how much payload capacity the Creta STC will have. Rumors suggest it will be competitive with the Fiat Toro, which can carry 1,433 pounds.

Drivetrain

Nothing is mentioned about the Creta STC’s powertrain, so anything said here is pure speculation. That said, we’d bet Hyundai used the same 2.0-liter turbodiesel it did in the Santa Cruz concept pickup. The engine was said to make 190 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system would give the truck more capability in loose terrain, but not the all-out capability of a traditional off-roader.

Hyundai did mention set a fuel economy goal of 35 mpg on the highway with the Santa Cruz. We’d expect the same from the Creta STC Concept.

Conclusion

Hyundai has been fairly tight lipped about the Creta STC Concept, save for the fact that it is only a concept at this point. There are currently no official plans to produce the Creta STC, though it seems the Korean automaker is preparing to make a big, bold move into the compact crossover pickup segment. Why else would it create two concept trucks for two separate markets?

Here in the U.S., a compact pickup based on a crossover would surely do extremely well. It would combine all the attractive attributed of vehicles currently popular. It would have the functionality of a mid-size pickup with the comfort and smooth ride of a crossover SUV mixed with a transversely mounted engine designed to get good gas mileage.

Hyundai would have some stiff competition in the U.S., however. The mid-size pickup segment is on fire these day, with the Colorado and Canyon doing well, the all-new Ridgeline stealing market share, an upcoming Ford Ranger that could reignite Ford loyalists, and the Tacoma that’s outselling everything in its class. Hyundai will have plenty to consider and plan for should it decide the Santa Cruz is worth it.

We’re hoping so. Such a vehicle would likely resonate well with active lifestyle buyers in today’s crossover-hungry market. Not to mention, Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty would far surpass anything currently offered in the pickup segment. Now that’s something modern buyers could get excited about.