Hyundai just filed a patent that reveals an interesting direction for its future pickups. The Korean automaker is working on a midgate system with a built-in water drainage solution that could address one of the biggest headaches truck owners face when opening up the bed to the cabin. This design shows Hyundai thinking beyond just copying what others have done and actually solving problems that come up in real-world use.
- Hyundai patents a midgate with improved water drainage for future pickups, with a design that channels water away from the cabin.
- Right now, Hyundai’s only truck in the US is the Santa Cruz, but the brand has already said it’s building a proper, full-size pickup for American buyers before the decade is out.
- The midgate design builds in a drainage system that directs water away from the cabin through shaped panels and channels that guide water down and out.
What Makes This Midgate Different
Hyundai has been testing out modular features like removable doors, but now there’s another idea in the mix: a midgate. New patent documents show how a midgate could fit into a modern pickup with a focus on water management. This detail might sound boring compared to horsepower numbers or flashy tech features, but anyone who’s dealt with water leaking into their truck cab knows how much this matters.
Hyundai’s midgate design builds in a drainage system that directs water away from the cabin, whether the midgate is open or rain is running down the rear glass. Shaped panels and channels guide water down and out. Think of it like gutters built right into the truck’s body. You won’t see this engineering detail in glossy marketing shots, but it can make a real difference in daily use.
General Motors has been doing something similar with its electric trucks. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV both use a MultiPro Midgate to open up the cab and bed into one long cargo area. Other brands have tried midgates before, like the Subaru Baja and GMC Envoy XUV, but the idea never really caught on. Only GM’s electric trucks use the concept in a big way today.
Where This Midgate Might End Up
If you’re browsing through listings for an SUV for sale but need truck capability too, Hyundai’s midgate approach could give you exactly that flexibility. Whether this idea ends up in a future Santa Cruz remains unclear, especially since there’s no word yet on a next-gen model. With the Santa Cruz’s small bed, more flexibility would be welcome.
More likely, Hyundai is laying the groundwork for its upcoming midsize pickup, where a midgate could make a lot of sense. Hyundai hasn’t been shy about its truck ambitions. The company has confirmed plans to expand beyond the Santa Cruz with larger, more traditional pickups aimed at different markets around the world.
Like most patents, there’s no promise this will ever reach production. Automakers often file these to protect ideas or test solutions without committing to building them. But the level of detail in this patent suggests Hyundai is seriously considering how to make a midgate work in their trucks without the common problems that have plagued earlier attempts.
Why Water Management Matters
Water intrusion might not sound like a big deal until you’re dealing with wet seats, rusted components, or electrical gremlins months down the road. Traditional midgate designs rely heavily on rubber seals to keep moisture out, which works fine when everything is new. But seals degrade over time, and that’s when problems start.
Hyundai’s approach adds another layer of protection by actively directing water away from vulnerable areas. This means the truck should stay drier even as the seals age and lose some of their effectiveness. For truck buyers who actually use their vehicles for work or outdoor activities where weather exposure is common, this kind of forward thinking makes a difference.
What Truck Buyers Should Watch For
Patents like this one give us a peek at where Hyundai is headed with its truck lineup. The company has been clear about wanting a bigger piece of the pickup market, and smart engineering details like improved water drainage show they’re thinking about how people actually use these vehicles day to day.
If Hyundai follows through and puts this midgate design into production, it could give buyers a real alternative to what Ford, GM, and Ram are offering. The big question is whether truck buyers will embrace a midgate from Hyundai the way some have with GM’s electric pickups, or if it will end up being a rarely-used feature like the midgates of the past.
For now, we’re left waiting to see what Hyundai’s next truck will actually look like and whether this water-channeling midgate makes the cut. Given how much thought went into solving a practical problem, there’s a good chance we’ll see this idea show up in showrooms before too long.
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