Hyundai Palisade Hybrid spied testing

Spy photos have confirmed the 2025 Hyundai Palisade will be offered with a hybrid drivetrain for the first time.

As previously predicted by Drive, the next-generation three-row Palisade will offer a hybrid version to take on the seven-seat Lexus RX hybrid in the hotly contested large SUV showroom battle.

While Hyundai is yet to confirm the move, an image posted on Autospy (bottom) provides visual confirmation of the hybrid Palisade, with the orange cabling underneath the vehicle signifying high-voltage electrical components.

Orange is the common industry standard for high-voltage electrical cables required for hybrid and electric motors.

The vehicle shown here is not a battery electric vehicle but a hybrid, given the orange cabling’s fitment around conventional internal combustion parts.

With production of the new Palisade expected from January 2025, the hybrid version is expected to arrive later in the year with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid drivetrain.

The hybrid is set to replace the existing Palisade’s 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine but will be sold alongside a 3.5-litre turbocharged petrol V6 – replacing the current 3.8-litre non-turbo petrol V6.

While it has promoted its battery-electric vehicles strongly, Hyundai is expected to introduce hybrid versions of every model in its passenger car line-up.

The Palisade’s 2025 addition will make it one of the last vehicles to be given the hybrid treatment.

The Santa Fe is directly targeted at the Toyota Kluger Hybrid, whereas the larger, more upmarket Palisade will be looking to convince Toyota Prado shoppers and Lexus RX hybrid hopefuls into Hyundai dealerships instead.

While the new Prado will offer a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid for the first time overseas, Toyota Australia says it will not be available here – at least from launch.