Underpinning the new three-seat SUV will be a different platform with an elongated wheelbase
by Brad Anderson
February 19, 2024 at 10:05
Only a few weeks after our spy photographers caught our first glimpse of Hyundai’s second-generation Palisade prowling the streets in disguise, they’ve now tracked down a new tester of the mid-size SUV undergoing development in Sweden, and this time, they were able to capture the first shots of the interior.
While the exterior, as detailed below, will follow the 2024 Santa Fe’s lead with a blocky new look, Hyundai’s designers appear to have taken a slightly more conservative approach with the Palisade’s interior, incorporating more curved surfaces and lines. This is evident in the upper and lower sections of the center console as well as the door panels.
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SH Proshots
Another highlight of the cabin is the new single piece of curved glass poised to host a duo of expansive displays, likely matching the Santa Fe’s 12.3-inch units — one for the instrument cluster and another for infotainment. Additionally, the new Palisade will feature the same redesigned steering wheel as the Santa Fe, which resembles the one used in the latest Land Rover models.
While we can’t get a peek at every nook and cranny just yet, the three-row cabin is expected to be much nicer than before, with better materials, a more modern look, and fresh tech features.
Do it like the Santa Fe
The new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has attracted significant attention thanks to its bold and unconventional design. While opinions on the new look vary, Hyundai is doubling down and preparing to give the larger Palisade a similarly edgy and distinctive design, drawing inspiration from its smaller sibling’s unique styling features.
SH Proshots
The second-generation Palisade features a slightly more upright front compared to the current model. It showcases distinctive headlights and daytime running lights. Similar to the outgoing model, it retains a large grille, and the A-pillars, roof, and side window shape closely resemble those of the 2024 Santa Fe, characterized by straight lines and sharp corners. While the tester sports rounded wheel arches, it wouldn’t be surprising if the production model adopts squared fender flares, mirroring its smaller sibling.
We understand that the new mid-size SUV will transition to a different platform with updated packaging and, notably, a longer wheelbase than the current model. This change will not only allow Hyundai to enhance interior space but also enable the introduction of new powertrains. These include a 2.5-liter hybrid system and a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, which will replace the 3.8-liter V6 found in the first-generation model. Both units will be paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission driving either the front wheels or all four.
Read: Next Hyundai Palisade Will Be As Radical As The New Santa Fe
Hyundai’s Vice President of Product Planning, Olabisi Boyle, discussed the next-generation Palisade in late 2023, confirming that its appearance will be significantly different from the current model. She also suggested that the redesign will be as dramatic as the changes seen in the Santa Fe.
The launch date for the next-generation Palisade remains uncertain. However, given the timeline of the current model, which was unveiled in 2018, made available for sale the following year as a 2020MY, and received a facelift in 2022 for the 2023MY, an introduction within the next 12 months seems probable.
Update: This story was revised on February 19 to include the first spy shots of the interior, along with fresh photos of the exterior, and additional information.