2022 Hyundai Palisade takes shape! Facelifted Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder rival looms with new Tucson styling

Hyundai is about to give the first-generation Palisade large SUV a significant midlife facelift, and thanks to recent spy images, we now have a rendering that gives us a very good idea of what to expect.

Yep, Gotcha Cars has effectively ripped the heavy camouflage off the facelifted Palisade’s prototypes caught testing overseas to unofficially reveal the bold front end it will usher in.

Now, if the Palisade’s new face looks familiar, that’s because it follows in the tyre tracks of the recently launched fourth-generation Tucson mid-sizer, which debuted the SUV version of Hyundai’s emerging Sensuous Sportiness design language.

That means the Palisade’s LED daytime running lights (DRLs) now seemingly form part of Hyundai’s signature ‘cascading’ grille, which is squared-off this time around and features a Tucson-style insert.

The headlights are now positioned inside of a separate section of DRLs, which are once again split by the bumper, which has a new lower insert to really hammer home the point that the Palisade has been thoroughly upgraded.

That said, Gotcha Car hasn’t provided us a look at the Palisade’s update rear end, although any changes are expected to be relatively minor, with new tail-lights graphics and a tweaked bumper the likeliest.

The Palisade’s seven- or eight-seat interior is as much of a mystery, but the rumour mill has pointed towards a larger central touchscreen being fitted, with it possibly 12 inches in diameter. Either way, Hyundai’s latest multimedia system is expected.

Engines-wise, the existing 217kW/355Nm 3.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol V6 (FWD) and 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder (AWD) units are likely to carry over in Australia, which only got the pre-facelift Palisade two years into its life cycle, last December.

Australia only got the pre-facelift Palisade two years into its life cycle.

That said, Hyundai could take this opportunity to introduce ‘self-charging’ and/or plug-in hybrid powertrains to really take the right to the rivalling Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder.

Local timing for the facelifted Palisade is yet to be confirmed, but given it’s all but confirmed to be revealed in the coming months, expect it to go on sale later in 2022.

For reference, the pre-facelift Palisade’s range was reshuffled last August, with a new mid-range grade added, allowing for entry-level variants to become cheaper with the removal of some standard equipment. Prices start from $55,000 plus on-road costs and reach $75,000.