The successor to the Maxcruz, known as the Santa Fe XL outside of South Korea, not only became the flagship crossover SUV in the lineup but also gained popularity among Kia and Hyundai buyers, much like the Kia Telluride.
Like the Santa Fe, which draws inspiration from the city in New Mexico, the Palisade derives its name from the resonance it holds in the United States.
The name specifically refers to the word “palisade” itself, the Pacific Palisades district in Los Angeles, and the Hudson River palisade that is close to Manhattan, New York. This decision seeks to satisfy customers on both sides.
Both the Palisade and the Telluride stand out in the very competitive mid-size crossover SUV class because of their roomy cabins, cutting-edge technologies, and general value.
It’s interesting to note that sales data from recent months indicate that Telluride is gradually surpassing the Palisade, which is what led Hyundai to create a new second-generation flagship, CUV.
Shots of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade emerged in January, indicating that the official reveal is still some time away. Typically, these test programs last a couple of years before production and market release.
Despite heavy camouflage, the new Palisade appears to draw inspiration from the smaller Santa Fe, featuring a similar interior layout with a new dual-screen setup.
Rumors suggest the Palisade will resemble an oversized counterpart to the smaller Santa Fe, now reintroduced as a three-row family-oriented crossover SUV. This implies potential growth in size to offer more interior space for passengers and cargo. However, specific design details remain elusive due to the camouflage.
Digital content creators, particularly NYMammoth, have shared numerous renderings of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, showcasing various angles and color options.
While some envision a departure from the boxy, rugged design, resembling models like the Land Rover Defender 130, these are speculative creations. Notably, there’s no indication of a Hyundai-Land Rover partnership for the production of the next Palisade iteration.
