SPY PICS: Huge eight-seat Hyundai SUV takes shape

Hyundai’s enormous eight-seat Palisade SUV has been spied testing in the US and it could eventually be sold Down Under.

Our sources spotted a test mule carrying out towing duties in Arizona this month, revealing subtle details around the production version’s front-end styling.

The Palisade is Hyundai’s twin to the upcoming Kia Telluride.

It is said to borrow from both the all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe launched last week in Australia and the Hyundai Grandmaster concept shown last month at the Busan motor show.

While heavily disguised in these photos, the Palisade will likely wear the latest generation of Hyundai design language, as previewed by the Grandmaster concept. This includes the marque’s bold new ‘Cascade grille’ that incorporates the headlights.

Under the bonnet of the Palisade is believed to be a 3.3-litre petrol V6 offering 215kW, paired with an eight-speed transmission. There is also thought to be scope for a plug-in hybrid application, as seen in the Telluride concept.

In its native US, where the Palisade will assume the mantle of Hyundai’s flagship SUV, it will take on full-size three-row SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition.

In Australia, the Palisade’s future is less clear-cut.

Hyundai Australia declined to comment on the big eight-seater’s likely release Down Under, but it’s understood the current business case hinges on right-hand drive production and a diesel engine.

Whatever the case, the Palisade could ultimately offer Hyundai Australia an opportunity to compete against the prized Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series in the upper-large SUV segment (one size bigger than the Santa Fe) even if it’s based on a stretched version of the latter’s monocoque platform, rather than a rugged ladder frame like the Toyota’s.

The Palisade has been slated for debut in 2019, pointing to a likely 2020 release in the US.