Big fella’s diesel push is over; like Santa Fe and smaller SUVs it’s now dedicated to electric-assisted petrol.

DIESEL’S departure from Hyundai’s sports utility line-up will be complete when the largest of the lot comes on sale here in the last quarter of this year.

As expected, the new generation of the Palisade unveiled in the United States has followed in the tracks of the latest Santa Fe in expunging the 2.2-litre turbodiesel for a hybrid petrol.

Though technically similar to the engine we now know in the Santa Fe, the one for Palisade is larger capacity and much brawnier - a 2.5, with twin electric motors to assist, rather than the Santa Fe’s 1.6-litre with a single electric involving.

The Palisade powertrain offers 245kW/450Nm, again marries to a eight-speed automatic and braked towing is listed at 1800kg. The Santa Fe’s makes 172kW and 376Nm, is wed to a six speed and is up to towing 1650kg.

For both, the towing rates are lower than provisioned with previous Santa Fe and current Palisade in their 147kW/440Nm diesel form, both siting at 2200kg.

The oiler has been a solid favourite in the New Zealand market in both SUVs; it accounted for more than 80 percent of the previous Santa Fe’s volume.

Local fan preference has cut no sway with headquarters in South Korea. Seoul is on a emissions-lowering mission and diesel doesn’t work for that.

New Santa Fe volume is now much lower than it used to be; a big turnaround for a product that has traditionally been a mainstay.

In North America Palisade also continues with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine developing an anticipated 214kW/353Nm, also eight-speed, and in the choice of two- or all-wheel drive configurations, with a braked towing capacity of 2250kg.

However, that drivetrain is not expected to come to this part of the world.

For instance, Australia has already committed to only going with the hybrid; their market tastes do not wholly influence ours, but often headquarters likes to keep the two countries within a single sphere.

What is know is that Hyundai NZ does have plans to keep Palisade in the local offering. It has enforced that point previously.

Going petrol hybrid is not the only big change for Palisade. As is patently evident, the always-brash styling for this three-row type becomes even bolder still.

It also picks up additional amenity and safety features and, as with Santa Fe, for North America - if not necessarily elsewhere - there’s the option of a XRT PRO variant that enhances the off-roading potential.

Palisade’s stylists were going for a “substantial, premium silhouette”.

The new look delivers continuity with Santa Fe in respect to overall blockiness, but Palisade is even stronger in its lighting, going its own way with a set of distinctive vertical LED daytime running lights and a horizontal centre positioning illumination patter. It takes a bold new-look grille with active aero shutters. Also obvious is a much shorter front overhang, as per the Santa Fe direction, while the D-pillar and larger side glass are reshaped to provide a more spacious third row and improved outward visibility. It also has a 68mm lengthened wheelbase to create more interior room; overall it’s 63mm longer than the current choice.

Large diameter alloy wheels continue to be a thing. As per the current car that’s on runout, it abides up to 21 inch rims.

The redesigned cabin delivers dual 12.3-inch displays for infotainment and instrumentation, additional soft-touch materials, a reshaped centre console with wireless device charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and available 14-speaker Bose audio. Palisade is about plush, so cup holders and 100-watt-capable USB-C ports are available to every occupant.

Eight-passenger seating is standard, with captain’s chairs available optionally. The third row of seats is offered with power-folding, sliding, and reclining mechanisms, along with heating, while second row seats add ventilation to the deal.

Hyundai is drawing attention to this generation having an expanded suite of active and passive safety technologies. The suite includes a built-in dash cam, available digital rear-view mirror, advanced rear occupant alert, digital key access, and updated adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, driver attention alert, high beam assist, lane keeping, rear cross-traffic avoidance, and remote smart parking technologies.

The XRT PRO treatment is a new thing for Palisade; it lifts off-road capability. Ground clearance of 214mm, improved approach (20.5 degrees), departure (22.4 degrees), and break-over (18.3 degrees) geometry include. It takes all-terrain tyres on 18-inch alloys, 360-degree camera technology, downhill brake control, recovery hooks and HTRAC all-wheel drive.

The variant dresses with dark-finished alloy wheels, bespoke badging, darkened exterior accents (grille, window framing, and body cladding), leatherette upholstery with front seat heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, 14-speaker Bose audio, LED ambient cabin lighting, 115-volt power outlet, and a powered moonroof.

Hyundai’s product planning and mobility strategy senior vice president Olabisi Boyle introduced Palisade at the New York motor show. He says the new gen is all about showcasing commitment to customer needs.

“The introduction of a hybrid variant … and the adventure-ready XRT model, ensures that every driver finds their perfect fit.

“This strategic approach positions Hyundai to excel in any market environment, driving our continued growth in the SUV segment.”