Considering how much Indian love their big SUVs, Hyundai is currently evaluating the full size Palisade SUV for an India launch. The Palisade was globally unveiled in end 2018, and has primarily targeted left hand drive markets. Though it isnt a priority, the Palisade could hit Indian roads when and if Hyundai feels the time is right and the Indian customer is ready for it.
During a media interaction with Autocar India magazine, Tarun Garg, Director – Sales, Service and Marketing at Hyundai India, mentioned that the carmaker is evaluating bringing its flagship SUV to India.
“Hyundai is assessing the feasibility of launching the Palisade in India. We’ll need to see which route we can take with it, if the market is ready and what kind of volumes we’d be looking at. A decision on a model like this is critical because one has to take the import duties into account, and if we choose to localise it, we would need certain volumes,” Garg said. “We will take a decision on it at the right time. An increase in customer enquiries will expedite our decision-making process” Garg added.
Coming to the SUV itself, the Palisade measures 4,980 mm in length, 1,97 5mm in width, 1,750 mm in height and also has 2,900 mm wheelbase. It is available as a 7 seater (captain seats on middle row) or an 8 seater.
The Hyundai Palisade is current available with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine developing 295 horsepower and 355Nm of torque. While this engine is available in the USA, Hyundai also has has a 2.2 litre diesel that is offered in South Korea and would be ideal for India too. An eight speed automatic gearbox is standard and four wheel drive is on offer as well.
While the Palisade is currently available only as a left hand drive, Hyundai is launching a right hand driver version for Australia and South Africa. Hyundai could bring the SUV to India as a CBU because relaxed homologation norms that allow import of 2,500 vehicles a year without getting them homologated.
If it does launch in India, the Hyundai Palisade will be the most expensive model on sale from the car maker.
