Should Hyundai bring the very big and very American SUV Palisade to New Zealand? – New

We love the new Hyundai Santa Fe. So much so that he was ranked among the finalists of the year car by New Zealanders led by AA.

The seven-seater is an impressive advance over the previous model, with its level of sophistication, third-row comfort and car-like driving characteristics.

But for Americans, that's not enough.

It's the Hyundai Palisade – revealed to the world at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

It's big … 4981mm long, 1976mm wide and 1750mm high to be precise. It is part of Hyundai's North American lineup, not only as the largest vehicle in the lineup, but also as the largest Hyundai ever built.

There is currently an engine; an Atkinson-cycle version of the Hyundai 3.8-liter GDI V6, which develops 217 kW at 6,000 rpm and 355 Nm at 5,000 rpm. It is exclusively associated with an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive will both be optional choices.

Click here to read our first driving report on the Hyundai Santa Fe

But the main topic of discussion around the palisade is its appearance. It retains Hyundai's signature "cascade" grill, but almost everything else looks like a sneaky imitation of the country's largest SUV from apple pie. Think Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and GMC Yukon … all special rap-video shows.

Think of the chrome keys, 20-inch rims, headlights and taillights that absorb the vehicle's character traits, the "Palisade" badge on the tailgate and the impressive 16 cupholders. This car knows its market.

The problem with all this, from the Kiwi's point of view, is that Hyundai currently only plans to manufacture the Palisade in left-hand drive, although it is produced in South Korea alongside the Santa Fe, Tucson and i30.

But, there is a small nugget of hope for anyone interested in the king-size SUV. Hyundai Australia has shown a keen interest in reducing the palisade in a right-hand drive format. Hyundai New Zealand also wants to do the same.

We contacted Hyundai NZ Product Specialist and Dealer Ross Wenzlick yesterday to find out their position. And after repeating that the Palisade is currently only a left-hand drive, Wenzlick said: "WHowever, we want it to be available in NZ if it becomes available at RHD. "

Hyundai's Kiwi SUV lineup being the subject of a complete redesign in 2018 – the new Kona and Kona EV joining the fleshy Tucson and Santa Fe – it would make sense to arm more. in the race for SUV and Ute.

For now, it looks like the Palisade is simply becoming "one of those weird cars that we can not buy here." But, if it seems likely to change, we'll let you know.