Hyundai Palisade is coming to Australia! Toyota Kluger-rivalling SUV expected on sale in 2020

The US-spec Hyundai Palisade will almost certainly go on sale in Australia next year with the brand’s local executives finally securing right-hand-drive production for the flagship SUV. 

Hyundai in Australia has made no secret of their desire to launch the Palisade, but with the current generation built in left-hand drive only, it was thought we would have to wait until a new generation to secure production for our market.

But in a sizeable twist, Hyundai in Australia has today confirmed the Palisade will likely debut here in 2020, with local CEO JW Lee telling CarsGuide it was “80 per cent confirmed”.

“Next year we’ll try to bring this in. It’s difficult to say this is confirmation, but it is 80 per cent confirmed,” he said. 

“It’s a really good car. We have requested it so many times. It took nearly two years to get a right-hand-drive Palisade for the Australian market. 

“I believe the Palisade will bring a new face to our Hyundai brand.”

It seems those years of conversations are about to pay off, with Hyundai’s flagship SUV now destined for an Australian launch. Its arrival would give the brand a genuine competitor for cars like the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Pathfinder.  

While pricing and specification is far off being finalised, we do know that, in the USA, the seven- or eight-seat SUV arrives flush with features, including a 10.0-inch multimedia screen, a 12.3-inch screen that replaces the dials in the driver’s binnacle, heated and ventilated seats in the front and second row of seats, 16 cupholders and seven USB charge points.

Internationally, the Palisade arrives with a 3.8-litre petrol V6 (218kW and 355Nm), but it is understood Hyundai in Australia would look to add the Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre Diesel engine to the lineup.