The forthcoming 2020 Hyundai Palisade is a mid-size 3-row SUV, that can accommodate up to eight passengers and it will probably come as a substitution for the Santa Fe XL. If you start to think about the Santa Fe model, everything is so confusing. The company, at the moment, offers three different versions: Normal, Sport, and XL. The customers may be a little bit confused which one belongs to which category. But now, with the launching of the Palisade, it will be much easier to pick-up a 3-row model.
One of the main reason that Palisade comes as a replacement of the Santa Fe is sale numbers. Last year, the Korean company sold only 30,000 units in the States. For instance, some models in the same class hit 200K sales. So, the company brings a lot of changes to try to achieve this number. First, the exterior will get a makeover and a more aggressive look. Second, the interior will be more elegant, to give the customers a more luxurious feel. On top of that, the engine changes and off-road modes will give the Palisade power and quality, to stay afloat in the growing mid-size SUV market.
2020 Hyundai Palisade Exterior
The upcoming 2020 Hyundai Palisade will be the largest SUV in the rank. As a matter of fact, the Korean automaker never had such massive model as this. The new model is a 3-row crossover, with seating for eight passengers. The Palisade will definitely bring more muscular exterior design. The large grille up front will be more like a pickup truck lookalike. Still, you won’t find too much chrome on it. Moreover, the vertical headlights are redesigned and unique in the class. They will probably be that thing that distinguishes this model from the rest in the segment.
Also, one of the innovations is installed daylight running lights. The taillights will also use a similar design and shape language. The panoramic roof is now part of the standard equipment, and it will be available for all trim levels. The 2020 Palisade will roll on 18-inch wheels. Of course, you can upgrade them to 20-inches. Furthermore, the company will present the all-wheel-drive variants, to stay in the race with the competitors like the Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer. These models feature a terrain select system, which appears as a substitute for the standard drive setup. This way, the Palisade’s traction system is optimized, as well as the engine and all-wheel-drive setup.
Interior
According to the first couple of photos that were released on the web, the interior of 2020 Hyundai Palisade will be very elegant and practical. The new cabin design is applied, and as a result, the cockpit will be more simple, practical and transparent than before. The quality of materials will give you a more upscale feeling, much better than for the Santa Fe and similar vehicles. Also, new 2020 Palisade is around 4 inches longer than its siblings. We expect that this space will be used with precise and in a clever way, to improve legroom and comfort in all three rows. However, the capacity volume is still unknown.
The company is preparing a 7- and 8-seat model as well. Both will make a debut on the market at the same time. The second row will have either a bench or captain’s chair, depending on the customer’s choice. Up front, you’ll find a 10-inch touchscreen display, in the center of the redesigned dashboard. As for the connectivity, the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available, as well as the wireless charging.
Engine
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade will have only one powertrain option – a 3.8-liter V6 engine. This unit is capable to produce 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. For this model, the transmission sends power to the front wheels. The rear-wheel drive is also in plans, but for now, the engineers go with the power to other axles. Still, the upcoming Palisade will have an all-wheel-drive as another option. The new Palisade is set to tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is quite impressive and in the range with another 8-passenger SUV in the class, the Subaru Ascent.
Almost every rival of the Hyundai Palisade in the mid-size segment are switching toward smaller engines in combination with turbochargers. However, for the Palisade this is very doubtful. On the other hand, what is certain is a hybrid model. But, we must wait for another season to see a hybrid version of this model since the company just began planning and working on the hybrid concept. Moreover, the diesel powertrain might be part of the lineup, especially for the non-US markets. Yet, the Korean company is still to unveil these plans.
2020 Hyundai Palisade Release Date and Price
The upcoming 2020 Hyundai Palisade will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starting at $31,550. Still, with a vehicle like this, you’ll want the additional equipment, like navigation, premium audio system, leather seats, and AWD. In that case, the fully loaded Palisade will top $45,000. All-wheel-drive only is available for every trim level, for $1,700, and the delivery will cost you an additional $1,045.
With these set of prices, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade is in line with the rest of the 3-row midsize SUV class. The main rivals of this model will be the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Ford Explorer. The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is set to start arriving at dealerships by the fall of the following year.