Hyundai will unveil the Palisade crossover, a big-bodied, three-row rival to the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9, this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The large crossover will go on sale in the U.S. next summer, Hyundai said.
The Palisade is one of two crossovers Hyundai will add next year as the company races to match the industry’s rapid shift from cars to light trucks. The second is a subcompact. In between, Hyundai markets the subcompact Kona, compact Tucson and midsize Santa Fe crossovers.
The Palisade name references the topographical terminology for a series of seaside cliffs, the South Korean carmaker said. But Hyundai said it also hopes the moniker evokes an emotional connection with Pacific Palisades, an affluent and scenic neighborhood in Southern California near Los Angeles.
“Pacific Palisades is home to a collection of midcentury modern masterpiece homes,” Hyundai said. “The region boasts of cool sea breezes, easy access to the beach and spectacular sunsets. It also offers outdoor access of various kinds via three large parks and hiking and biking paths.”
Hyundai said the Palisade’s exterior was styled to stand out and exude security to appeal to “parents with growing families and active lifestyles.”
The Palisade will be the biggest Hyundai crossover since the Veracruz was dropped in 2013. It will slot above the Santa Fe and replace the three-row, eight-passenger Santa Fe XL after the 2019 model year. Hyundai global CEO Wonhee Lee said last month the Palisade will be imported from South Korea.
