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Hyundai Palisade crossover leaks ahead of L.A. debut

The Hyundai Palisade will go on sale in 2019 as a 2020 model, alongside its Kia Telluride sibling. (AUTOREVIEW)
JR
By:
Jay Ramey
November 13, 2018 05:00 AM
BLOG06_303299998_H1_1_BRISZTZODJVA.jpg Jay Ramey is an associate editor with Autoweek, an affiliate of Automotive News.

Days after the name Palisade was confirmed for Hyundai's newest large crossover, the first undisguised image of the three-row Palisade has been published by Autoreview.ru, ahead of the vehicle's official unveiling. Designed as a companion to the Kia Telluride, revealed this fall, the Palisade is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in a matter of days and to go on sale in 2019 as a 2020 model.

The Palisade was spotted by spy photographers this summer with some camouflage.

A production follow-up to the Hyundai Grandmaster concept, the Palisade will offer seating for eight along with all-wheel-drive capability. It is expected to be equipped with a V-6 engine borrowed from the greater Kia/Hyundai lineup -- a V-8 engine is not expected on the menu despite the crossover's impressive size -- signaling that turbocharged V-6 engines are up to the task of moving around large, eight-passenger dreadnoughts that could be used to tow other vessels.

"The future Palisade ... will convey a bold exterior that commands attention and has strong inherent imagery of safety and security, especially important with parents with growing families and active lifestyles. Palisade styling will offer dignity with style in an understated theme that demonstrates clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV," the automaker said in a statement last week.

The design of the front fascia stays pretty close to the appearance of the Grandmaster concept, featuring an octagonal grille framed by thick chrome strips and tall headlights that stretch to the surface of the front fenders. The vertical running lights, incorporated into the front fascia, run along the interior of the two-part headlight housings, while a small chrome skid plate rests beneath the grille. The shape of the front fascia, based on this image, will be very tall and blunt -- likely for pedestrian safety measures -- while the overhangs will be on the moderate side despite the eight-passenger capacity.

The Palisade will be positioned above the Santa Fe in Hyundai's U.S. lineup, joining the Telluride on sale around the same time, and is expected to compete with the likes of the Honda Pilot, Nissan Armada, Ford Expedition, Dodge Durango and the Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe.

We'll get our first complete look at the Palisade on Nov. 28 as the LA auto show gets going.

 

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