The new Hyundai Palisade is set to launch in South Africa in 2026, boasting 245 kW courtesy of a 2.5 T-GDi Hybrid powertrain. And it’ll likely be the priciest Hyundai yet…
- New Palisade confirmed for Mzansi in 2026
- 2.5 T-GDi Hybrid powertrain to offer 245 kW
- New Venue and facelifted Creta also coming
The head of the Hyundai brand in South Africa has confirmed the new Hyundai Palisade is scheduled to arrive in 2026 – and that this flagship 3-row SUV will boast the South Korean firm’s latest 2.5 T-GDi Hybrid powertrain.
Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, confirmed the news during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at the start of October.
“The all-new Palisade is a very impressive vehicle. Also hybrid only, but with a 2.5-litre turbopetrol and EV combination – so bigger than the Santa Fe in terms of drivetrain,” Anderson told us, referring to the 1.6T-GDi Hybrid set-up used in the Santa Fe.
As a reminder, the 5th-generation Santa Fe hit the market in Mzansi in June 2025, arriving as Hyundai Automotive SA’s very first hybrid vehicle (the 2.2-litre turbodiesel familiar from the preceding model was off the table). Total system outputs for that model stand at 172 kW and 367 Nm.
Meanwhile, the 2nd-generation Palisade – which was revealed in December 2024 – mates a turbocharged 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a dual-motor, transmission-mounted electric drive system to unlock peak figures of 245 kW and 460 Nm. Drive is delivered to all 4 wheels as standard.
Our information suggests the new Palisade 2.5 T-GDi Hybrid is pencilled in for a local launch in June 2026. Considering the outgoing Palisade 2.2D 4WD Elite is priced at R1 204 500 (and the Santa Fe HEV at R1 249 900), the LX3-series Palisade looks likely to arrive as Hyundai Automotive SA’s most expensive model yet, taking the title from the Staria 2.2D Luxury (R1 273 900).
While the outgoing Palisade currently offered in SA comes with 7 seats as standard (the 8-seater is no longer offered here), the new 5 065 mm-long version already on the market in countries like Australia ships standard in 8-seater guise, with a 7-seater configuration optional. The latter boasts a pair of powered 2nd-row seats that tilt forward by 6 degrees and backward by 16 degrees.
To refresh your memory, the original Palisade arrived in South Africa in September 2021, with the facelifted version touching down in February 2023. The firm’s familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine (delivering 142 kW and 440 Nm) does duty as standard, though – as with the Santa Fe – won’t be available in the new model.
What else does Hyundai Automotive SA have planned for 2026? Well, Anderson told us the since-revealed new Venue is on the cards (and will arrive “hopefully” in the 2nd quarter), while the facelifted Creta looks set to hit local dealers around April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the new Hyundai Palisade scheduled to launch in South Africa?
A: The new-generation Hyundai Palisade (LX3-series) has been confirmed for a South African launch in 2026, with the local introduction pencilled in for June 2026.
Q: What powertrain will the new South African Palisade use and what is its output?
A: The new Palisade confirmed for Mzansi will exclusively use the 2.5 T-GDi Hybrid powertrain. This system offers peak total outputs of 245 kW and 460 Nm, with drive delivered to all four wheels as standard.
Q: Why is the new Palisade expected to be the most expensive Hyundai model in South Africa?
A: Considering the high price of the outgoing Palisade (R1 204 500) and the new Santa Fe HEV (R1 249 900), the new Palisade is expected to surpass the current most expensive model, the Staria 2.2D Luxury (R1 273 900), potentially making it Hyundai Automotive SA’s priciest model yet.
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