The next generation of Hyundai’s largest off-road capable sports utility has broken cover. To be fair, it’d have been hard to keep hidden.

UPSIZING is still very much of the menu with Hyundai’s sports utility division: With the now XL Santa Fe now established on the scene, this make has now turned to wheeling out the new Palisade that further enlarges that design ideal.

To call the latest generation a vast departure from its predecessor is almost understatement.

The brand’s first-look unveiling, conducted in South Korea, spares all technical details, and even steered clear of providing basic dimensions - all that is set to spill in a week or so.

These photos are simply out to impress that the car that’s coming is a lot boxier, bolder and bigger than the already generously-dimensioned current offer it replaces.

Arrival is potentially some time next year assuming Hyundai New Zealand is keen to keep up commitment.

Palisade in current form is in its sixth year, arrives from the United States and hasn’t been a big hit.

Even big price reductions that have taken the base version down to $86,990 - so, cheaper than a top-spec Santa Fe- have’t much altered monthly registrations figures that have sometimes run in single figures. However, it is an important car for the region.

Expectation that, like the Santa Fe, the bigger model will drop diesel for a petrol-hybrid powertrain, ultimately in self-contained and mains-replenished formats, might alter the consumer interest.

That’s been a big challenge for Santa Fe, because the old version of that mainstay achieved close to 80 percent of its volume from the ignition combustion 2.2-litre that the current Palisade retains.

Media in South Korea reckon the new will have a 206kW 3.5-litre petrol V6, a 213kW 2.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder and a 2.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder hybrid with 246kW.

In the meantime, fan fascination will focus on this new look which, though not unexpected - it’s the fourth Hyundai to commit to the good-to-be-square design ethos - is still something of a sight, with inevitable comparison with Range Rover already being made.

It’s not quite a Santa Fe on steroids, but clearly indicates that the whole boxy boldness thing that was once imagined to become a signature of just the Hyundai electric cars (save Ioniq 6, obviously) is, in fact, for the fossil fuel-fed kind as well.

Palisade also has the same segmented lights at both ends as the Ioniq 5, Santa Fe just revealed Ioniq 9, but with extra development. The massive rectangles at the front are likely the daytime running lights. Between them and the huge grille are four rectangles, assumed to be the main headlights with the low and high beams. A thin LED strip goes across the grille's upper section.

The front overhang is slightly shorter than before and the wheelbase appears to be longer. As per its smaller sibling, the rear has a cleaner look as the exhaust is now tucked away underneath the bumper, while the wiper hides beneath the roof spoiler. Overseas media have highlighted that, contrary to most Hyundai models, the taillights–which strongly resemble the front DRLs–don't extend onto the tailgate.

The interior has also been given a complete makeover. There are dual 12.3-inch screens nestled within the dashboard, but it’s not wholly committed to screen involvements; there are some physical buttons. These appear to be for the climate controls, audio and multimedia, plus shortcuts. The gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to the steering wheel column.

The oversized section between the front seats with 100-watt USB-C charging ports, cupholders, and a wireless charging pad is multifunctional.

It can be raised to create a third seat, so allowing a model that Kiwis know as a seven/eight-seater to can carry up to nine people. But that provision might just contain to South Korea, where the brand is keen to have a set-up that allows the car to use the bus lane.

Palisade is the latest Hyundai to drop the H badge on the steering wheel. Instead, the four dots denote the letter "H" in Morse code.

Hyundai promises more interior space than the outgoing Palisade, as well as soft materials throughout the cabin, 60:40 split-folding second- and third-row seats.

Buyers can option the interior in black, grey, brown, navy blue or dark grey, while new exterior colours for the latest model include Ecotronic Grey Pearl, Cast Iron Brown Pearl, Galaxy Maroon Pearl and Crazy Blue Pearl.