Okay, picture me—well, not literally, but you get it—at the Car Design Event 2025 in Munich, sipping overpriced coffee, when the curtain drops on the Hyundai Obsidian concept car.
My jaw? On the floor. This five-door sports sedan, dreamt up by a student named Dominik Anders, isn’t just a car; it’s a love letter to every gearhead who’s ever doodled a dream ride in their notebook.
With its sleek, monolithic body and pixel LED lights that scream “I’m from the future,” the Obsidian is Hyundai’s bold swing at redefining itself as a premium player.
But here’s the kicker: it’s not a real car. Yet. And that’s where the heartbreak—and the heart-stealing—begins.
Why should you, a car lover, care? Because this concept could change how you feel about Hyundai forever, for better or worse. Let’s dive into this wild ride, with a few laughs and some gearhead soul-searching along the way.
A Design That Stirs the Soul
Let’s start with the looks, because, wow, the Obsidian is a stunner. Imagine a car that’s half spaceship, half panther—sleek, muscular, with swollen fenders and side skirts that look ready to pounce.
The windshield flows into the hood like a river of glass, no seams, no interruptions. It’s the kind of design that makes you want to whisper, “Take me to the stars.” Hyundai calls it “quiet confidence,” and I get it.
Driving this thing (if it ever existed) would make you feel like you’re starring in your own sci-fi blockbuster.
Here’s the techy bit, explained like I’m chatting with you over a burger: the Obsidian’s got active aerodynamics—think front spoilers and rear diffusers that shift to cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.
Those pixel LEDs? They’re not just pretty; they’re precise, lighting up the road like a futuristic art installation. And while Hyundai’s keeping mum on the powertrain, the closed grille and flush door handles scream electric vehicle. Maybe it’s got the guts of an Ioniq 5 dialed up to 11.
Now, a quick story. Back in college, I sketched cars in the margins of my notes, dreaming of something bold, something that wasn’t just another SUV.
The Obsidian feels like Dominik Anders stole my sketchbook and made it real. For car lovers, this is the benefit: a car that doesn’t just get you from A to B but makes you feel alive, like you’re part of something bigger. It’s not just a ride; it’s a vibe.
Hyundai’s Leap Toward Luxury (and the Pricey Catch)
Hyundai’s been on a glow-up journey, moving from “budget-friendly” to “whoa, is that a Genesis?”
The Obsidian is the poster child for this shift, with hints of quilted leather seats (seen through those opaque windows) and a vibe that could give Mercedes EQS a run for its money.
Imagine owning a Hyundai that turns heads at the country club, not just the grocery store.
For car lovers, this is the dream: luxury that doesn’t come with a side of snobbery. You could roll up in an Obsidian-inspired ride, feeling like a rockstar without selling your soul to a German marque.
But here’s where my heart skips a beat, and not in a good way. Hyundai’s premium push might come with a price tag that’ll make your wallet cry.
For context, the 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid XRT starts at $47,000 AUD, and Genesis EVs are already north of $70,000 USD. An Obsidian-inspired model?
We’re talking $80,000 or more. I remember saving up for my first Hyundai—a used Elantra that felt like a steal at $12,000. It was reliable, practical, and didn’t break the bank.
If Hyundai goes full luxury, where does that leave folks like me, who fell in love with the brand’s scrappy, value-driven spirit?
It’s like your favorite dive bar turning into a bougie cocktail lounge. Sure, it’s fancy, but it’s not yours anymore.
The Shadow of Doubt: Is It Too Good to Be True?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the garage: the Obsidian looks a lot like Honda’s 0 Saloon concept.
Same cab-forward vibe, same minimalist lighting. I saw the X posts comparing them, and ouch—some folks are calling it a copycat. As a car lover, that stings. You want your brand to stand out, not blend in.
I once spent hours debating with my buddy Mike over whether the Subaru BRZ ripped off the Toyota 86 (spoiler: they’re twins, but still).
The Obsidian’s got unique touches—bolder shoulders, red-accented wheels—but the resemblance is a buzzkill. If Hyundai’s chasing originality, they might’ve tripped over Honda’s shadow.
Then there’s the safety worry.The Obsidian’s low roof and pillarless doors look sexy, but could they survive a crash?
Hyundai’s had hiccups with EV reliability—like the Ioniq 5’s charging unit recalls—and that’s a red flag. I once had a car with a sketchy battery; every time I parked, I half-expected it to go up in smoke.
Car lovers want to trust their ride, not worry it’ll let them down when it counts. If Hyundai can’t nail reliability, the Obsidian’s beauty is just a pretty promise.
A Student’s Vision, A Gearhead’s Hope
Here’s where I get a little mushy. The Obsidian wasn’t cooked up in some corporate lab—it came from Dominik Anders, a student at Munich University.
That’s like you or me getting a shot to design for Hyundai. I remember tinkering with my dad’s old Civic, dreaming of building something epic.
The Obsidian feels like that dream come true, a car born from passion, not a boardroom. For enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that car culture is alive, fueled by dreamers who get what makes driving special.
But here’s the gut punch: it’s a concept, not a car you can buy. Honda’s 0 Saloon is headed for production; the Obsidian might just stay a showpiece.
That’s like falling in love with a concept album that never gets released. I felt this way when I saw the Dodge Viper concept as a kid—pure magic, but only a lucky few ever drove one. If the Obsidian never hits the road, it’s a heartbreak.
Still, I’m hopeful. Even if it’s just a muse, its ideas could sneak into future Hyundais, keeping our gearhead dreams alive.
The Obsidian’s Legacy: Dream or Destiny?
So, where does this leave us? The Hyundai Obsidian is a paradox—a gorgeous, soul-stirring concept that might break your heart with its price tag or its “maybe never” status. It’s a love song to car lovers, promising a Hyundai that’s bold, premium, and unapologetic.
But it’s also a risk, flirting with inaccessibility and echoes of Honda’s design. I think Hyundai’s onto something, but they’ve got to keep their roots in sight. Don’t leave us budget-loving gearheads behind, okay?
My advice? Keep an eye on Hyundai. If they can blend the Obsidian’s daring with their signature reliability and value, they might just steal your heart. For now, let’s dream of a day when we’re cruising in a sleek, electric sedan that feels like the future but drives like home. As my dad used to say, “A good car doesn’t just take you places—it makes you feel like you belong.” Here’s hoping the Obsidian, or its spirit, finds its way to our roads.