Curves dropped for blocky as Hyundai debuts all-new Palisade

Revealed at the end of last year with no details being disclosed, Hyundai has now fully debuted the all-new second generation Palisade as part of the model’s launch in the United States.

A new look

On-sale since the beginning of the year in South Korea, the Palisade adopts a more dramatic look with a decidedly more compact appearance than the first generation.

Similar to the Venue instead of the Tucson on first glance, the Palisade retains the same width as the original, but measures 63 mm longer overall and with a wheelbase increase of 69 mm.

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Riding on alloy wheels up to 21-inches, the Palisade sports a rectangular grille and L-shaped LED headlights in a frontal design seemingly mirrored on that of sister brand Kia’s new Tasman bakkie.

Designed with a slanted D-pillar that provides an almost coupe-like appearance, the almost Creta-like LED taillights now extend vertically into the rear fender instead of the method applied on the new Santa Fe.

In the States, a total of 10 colours will be offered: Typhoon Silver Metallic, Creamy White Pearl, Abyss Black Pearl, Ecotronic Grey Pearl, Titan Charcoal Pearl, Galaxy Maroon Pearl, Robus Emerald Pearl, Classy Blue Pearl, Cast Iron Brown Pearl and Earthy Brass Matte.

New and physical inside

Inside, the radically new interior retains a minimalistic look but incorporates physical buttons and switchgear for the climate control, the audio system and on the steering wheel.

Housed in a concave dashboard, the infotainment system and instrument cluster feature on 12.3-inch displays, the former with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus type-C USB ports.

Down the centre, the redesigned console accommodates a pair of cupholders and the cooled wireless smartphone charger, but no longer the button operated transmission, which moves to the steering column via a more traditional lever.

Along with the new steering wheel and ring pull door handles, Hyundai has made two seat arrangements available: the standard eight-seat or the optional seven-seat, whose middle row of captain-style chairs is now heated and ventilated.

As before, the second and third rows can be folded electrically from the buttons on the driver’s side or those located in the boot. Surprisingly, no details about the Palisade’s boot size were made available.

Besides the items already mentioned, and based on model grade, notable specification items comprise a 14-speaker Bose sound system, a surround-view camera system, heated and cooled electric front seats, Remote Start, a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate and an in-built dashcam.

>Included on the safety sheet is Rear Occupant Alert, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Remote Park Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Reverse Automatic Braking

New hearts

p front, Hyundai has done away with the normally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 in favour of two new engine; a normally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 that makes 215kW/352Nm, and a first-time hybrid that combines a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol with a pair of electric motors for a total system output of 245kW/460Nm

>Transmissions consist of an eight-speed automatic for the petrol and a unique six-speed automatic for the hybrid, with buyers having a choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive

Towing capacity is rated at 2 268 kg for the petrol and at 1 814 kg for the hybrid.

Still to be approved

On sale within the coming months, Hyundai hasn’t disclosed pricing, though projections point to a starting sticker above $40 000 (R754 732).

A late entry to right-hand-drive markets as original development had been for left-hand-drive countries only, the Palisade, for now, remains unconfirmed for South Africa and should only debut in 2026 if approved at all.

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