Hyundai is continuing its streak of new debuts that have showstopping designs with the second-generation Palisade, the brand’s largest SUV. The new Palisade has grown even bigger and boxier and has a more luxurious interior, and it now offers up to nine seats, at least in Korea.
The new Palisade is longer overall with a longer wheelbase, and a shorter front overhang and longer rear overhang give it much nicer and more premium proportions than the old one. Its silhouette is much boxier than the outgoing Palisade, and I love the silver trim that runs along the top of the windshield and windows and forms the raked D-pillar. Nicely sculpted fenders give the impression of a boxed flare, and it’s now available with 21-inch wheels that give a stronger stance.
Its front end is dominated by stacked running lights at the corners, while the actual headlights are small rectangular units that are just inboard of the DRLs in the same housing. The grille is huge and has a nice segmented pattern with a light bar running across the width in one of the upper strips, and the bumper has matching intakes and nice silver trim. The taillights have a similar stacked design to the running lights, and the tailgate and bumper are pretty clean overall.
The old Palisade’s interior was pretty nice, but the new model really amps things up. Hyundai describes it as a “Premium Living Space” inspired by furniture, and the dashboard shape is wild, unlike any other car in the lineup. A curved display sits under a large hood that wraps around the ends of the dash, forming a shelf in front of the passenger that’s accented by nice ambient lighting. There’s a bunch of physical controls for climate, audio and other functions, with no large center console or transmission tunnel beneath.
Moving the gearshift to the steering column freed up space for an unexpected option: A front bench seat. If you live in South Korea and you go for the nine-seat configuration with a bench in all three rows, you’re allowed to drive in bus lanes and can get special tax exemptions. You can also go for a seven-seat configuration with individual captain’s chairs for the second row and no bench in the front; then you’ll have a large center console that has multiple USB-C chargers, a wireless charger, big cupholders and storage cubbies.
Hyundai has yet to release any dimensions, specs or information about engine options and other such things, but we do know it will feature a hybrid powertrain, probably using a turbocharged V6 instead of the current model’s naturally aspirated unit. The hybrid should have V2L charging, which is rare for hybrids. More details about the Palisade should be divulged over the next couple months, with the U.S.-spec debut likely to come at some point in the first half of 2025.
