Hyundai's Midgate patent solves drainage for its upcoming US pickup
Hyundai files a Midgate drainage patent for its upcoming body-on-frame US pickup, promising leak-free cargo flexibility and a hybrid range extender in 2026.
Hyundai has patented a new transformable divider between a pickup’s cabin and bed, known as a Midgate. The filing, titled Water Drainage Structure of Vehicle Midgate, explains how water is directed through seals and the floor so the partition can be used without leaks reaching the cabin. The solution tackles the Midgate’s perennial issue—drainage—in a way that makes the concept feel ready for everyday use.
Interest in the patent is tied to Hyundai’s confirmed plan to launch a true body-on-frame pickup for the U.S. market. The model will be larger than the Santa Cruz and aimed at buyers of the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado. The company has also stated that it is developing a dedicated American pickup not connected to its partnership with General Motors.
The Midgate first appeared on the Chevrolet Avalanche in 2001, allowing the bed and cabin to merge into one extended cargo space. The idea returned in 2023 with the electric Silverado EV. This layout broadens a pickup’s usefulness, especially when transporting long items.
Hyundai executives describe the upcoming model as unconventional and suggest a hybrid powertrain with a range extender. If the project reaches production, the new Hyundai pickup could become one of the segment’s more unusual entries in 2026—an angle that would help it stand out on a crowded mid-size stage.