After a positive response from fans, Hyundai considers launching the Palisade N, a sportier version of its popular family crossover.
Hyundai’s upcoming launch of Palisade N is making waves in the automotive world, with ripples felt since its first appearance at the Los Angeles auto show 2018. This N Line variant is a giant leap for Hyundai, rebranding its family-friendly image and venturing into the sporty SUV segment competing with the likes of BMW’s X5 and Audi Q7. While the Hyundai brand doesn’t share the same prestige, the Palisade N Line is sure to bring disruption to the segment.
The regular Palisade has three rows of seats and a capacity for up to eight. Premium features include a dual-panel sunroof, power-folding, reclining second and third-row seats, and more. Meanwhile, its best-in-class safety features comprise blind-spot monitoring, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist system, and seven airbags. The flexible and generous interior space is also worth mentioning.
With a highly positive response from consumers worldwide, there are no second thoughts on breaking grounds. A Palisade N could even serve as an alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser, with give or take similar off-road capabilities and body-on-frame construction. Furthermore, with Toyota’s upcoming discontinuation of the Land Cruiser series in the US market post-2021, it is the right time for Hyundai to venture in and grab a piece of the pie.
While the N Line is more of a style-based upgrade, Hyundai might also give it more power. According to rumors, the brand considers using the twin-turbo V6 engine with 380 HP from the Genesis GV80, which would be a nice upgrade indeed. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter. The regular Palisade is available in an FWD variant, but we reckon the N Line could come exclusively with an AWD drivetrain instead.
That being said, Hyundai all but confirmed the launch of the Palisade N. “Everything’s possible. We monitor the market very attentively. If we believe in that particular segment – for the SUV body type – it makes sense, then we can move very quickly,” said Hyundai’s Head of Global Product Management, Lorenz Glaab for CarAdvice.
When it comes to the styling, the Palisade N Line is sure to turn eyes with a more aggressive appearance. Overall, the combination of looks, performance, and practicality will surely make it a front runner in the sporty family crossover segment.
