You think the Santa Fe is substantial? Wait until you meet its big brother.

SIXTEEN cupholders, seven USB ports and up to eight seats – plus a brash styling that simply cannot be ignored and potentially a sticker that takes Hyundai into a pricing zone it has never previously breached.

Those are features of the Hyundai Palisade, an even larger sports utility than the well-received Santa Fe that has been confirmed as an addition to the brand’s local line-up, arriving at year-end. 

Designed and initially only designated for North America, but now being made available through South Korea finally bending to a campaign by Australia to put it into right-hand-drive, Palisade is built in front-drive V6 and also provisions in the same mechanical spec preferred by most Santa Fe buyers – so four-wheel-drive, a 2.2-litre turbodiesel and an eight-speed auto.

Auckland-centred Hyundai New Zealand confirmed some months ago it was mulling adding in the Palisade to become the fifth SUV in its line-up and the first to offer eight seats. 

That process has cemented with last week’s confirmation that it will be going into Australia from year-end, coming off the same production line in South Korea that produces NZ-market Santa Fe.

Today the national distributor said it had still to decide on the exact spec and powertrain choices – but conceivably you need only examine what Australia is getting to see the full selection of choice.

 It seems safe to assume NZ will take the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which is in the same tune as it features in the Santa Fe, so cracks out 147kW and 440Nm.

Our neighbour has decided to take the petrol, a 3.8-litre V6 producing 213kW and 355Nm. Given that Hyundai NZ has discontinued the same layout, albeit with a smaller-capacity six, in the latest Santa Fe, this version of Palisade would seem  less likely.

Timing? Not exact dates are being given, but HNZ general manager Andy Sinclair says it’ll be here in time for summer.

So, we’re picking December. As for price? Well They’ve also indicated – and no surprise with this – it’ll sit above Santa Fe, which tops out at $83,990, so expect to spend at least $85,000, if not more. Could it even become the first Hyundai to sell here for more than $100,000?

Hyundai NZ has expressed confidence it can find a ready market for a model that is much larger than the Santa Fe, measuring around 210mm longer with a 180mm longer wheelbase and boot that offers 311 litres space with all three rows up (so, more than double Santa Fe’s capacity in that configuration), or 704L with two rows of seating in use. It is slightly shorter and narrower than the Mazda CX-9 and longer and wider than the current Toyota Highlander, which is set to go into a new generation in early 2021.

Sinclair is calling the Palisade “the ultimate family vehicle for practical, comfortable daily use and venturing further afield for a family roadie” and says it will provide Kiwis “more choice when it comes to buying a vehicle to meet their lifestyle needs.”

The model also stands out as being one of a relative few Hyundai vehicles unlikely to be troubled by a Kia equivalent here. Yes, there certainly is a twin under the skin. Yet the award-winning Telluride is only made in in North America and has been discounted for reconfirmation in left-hand-drive.

Expectation is that Palisade will add a higher, comfort-oriented specification than Santa Fe as well as an extra seat.

Apart from all those cup holders and USB ports, it delivers roof ventilation for all rows, heating and ventilated front and second-row seats and middle-seat delete for the second-row (as a seven-seater with ‘walkthrough’ aisle).

There’s also a digital instrument cluster with blind-spot video streaming and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, reversing camera and 360-degree cameras. Also expect a host of safety technology including AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, passenger detection monitors, and more 

Comfort comes via electrically adjustable seats and plenty of Nappa leather. Both second and third-rows get Isofix anchors for child seats, plus tether points, including for the third row. 

North America’s status as the priority market dictated why it launched at the 2018 Los Angeles Motor Show.

The US market is not wholly pinned to an eight-seater configuration. Over Stateside the car also offers as an opulent six-seater, with power folding captain’s chairs in the second and third rows and a ‘sleep mode’ that can mute the back speakers for snoozing passengers also befit its flagship status.

Like the Santa Fe, it features a rear occupant alert system that will beep the horn if ultrasonic sensors detect movement inside the vehicle once locked, helping look after pets and small children.