Yahoo Autos The 2020 Hyundai Palisade Is a Properly Big Three-Row SUV
Hyundai's Santa Fe range of crossovers has gone through a few different name iterations, but the company is doing away with all that confusion by launching an all-new three-row SUV with a completely different nameplate: the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Essentially replacing the outgoing three-row version of the Santa Fe, which is currently dubbed the Santa Fe XL, the new Palisade will be the biggest of all Hyundai crossovers and will go up against the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Toyota Highlander, and their ilk.
To better compete with those SUVs, the Palisade is considerably bigger than the Santa Fe XL, which resided on the smaller end of this class. It's three inches longer, has a four-inch-longer wheelbase, and promises considerably more interior space-especially in the three-place third row that replaces the Santa Fe XL's two-place setup back there. That means that the Palisade seats a total of eight passengers with its standard second-row bench, while optional captain's chairs in the second row reduce that capacity to seven. There's a one-touch system to move the second-row seats forward for access to the third row, and power-folding third-row seats are optional for easier access to the larger cargo area.
Like its corporate cousin the Kia Telluride, the Palisade will come with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. This engine makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque-a modest increase of 1 hp and 10 lb-ft compared to the Santa Fe XL's 3.3-liter V-6-and is capable of running on the Atkinson cycle for better fuel economy. It also enables a 5000-lb towing capacity in certain models equipped with a towing package.
Along with its bigger size and bigger engine, the Palisade also has a bigger presence on the road than the Santa Fe XL. Its distinctive design combines a large hexagonal front grille with an interesting split-headlight setup somewhat reminiscent of the smaller Hyundai Kona crossover. The rear end is distinctive, too, thanks to its large taillights. The interior features a big step up in material quality and design, at least in the top-trim model we saw, which had attractive brushed-metal trim, soft leather, and a pleasing dashboard layout.
Prices should start in the mid-$30,000s and range up to $50,000 when fully loaded. A full array of active-safety features come standard on every trim level; key extras on higher trim levels will include a head-up display, 20-inch wheels, and additional USB ports for the rear seats. We'll learn more info about the 2020 Palisade, including cost and EPA fuel-economy ratings, before it goes on sale in summer 2019.
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