Big surprise in next-gen family SUV: 2025 Hyundai Palisade expected to have even more seats as it trumps the Kia Carnival and Toyota Kluger: Report

Hyundai’s next-generation Palisade large SUV has been spied testing again, this time we’ve been given a glimpse of the interior and it sure looks like it has nine seats.

The new-gen Palisade is expected to arrive in Australia next year and we’ve seen photos of it testing in the past, but until now they've just been snaps of its camouflaged exterior. Now Korean instagram account ShortsCar has come back with a spy pic of the cabin.

The image we’re focussed on is the front seats, which appear to have a fold-down centre section which doubles as an armrest and storage area with wireless charging and cup holders. The giveaway is what looks to be a headrest at the end of the folded down section and a seat base under it.

The current Palisade has two bucket seats in the front, separated by a bulky centre console. The new-gen Palisade has the gear shifter relocated to the steering column, which frees up space between the front outboard seats allowing what appears to be a third seat.

CarsGuide asked Hyundai Australia if this means the Australian Palisade will be a nine-seater SUV but was told the company was unable to comment as the question relates to a future model.

2025 Hyundai Palisade (Image: Shortscar)

If the Palisade were to arrive with nine seats the SUV would be unique among new cars. Most large SUVs such as the current Palisade have seven or a maximum of eight seats.

Then again, this middle section might not be a seat at all - it’s a small space and there doesn’t appear to be a facility for a seat belt system. This could turn out to be a similar design feature as the Kia EV5’s middle padded section between the front bucket seats. Time will tell.

2025 Hyundai Palisade (Image: Shortscar)

What is clear about the upcoming new-gen Palisade is that its exterior design has been overhauled for a blocky look similar to the new Santa Fe’s redesign, with definite hints of the older Land Rover Discovery coming through in the squared-off styling.

Powering the new Palisade is likely to be a hybrid system making use of a 2.5-litre turbo petrol four cylinder engine combined with an electric motor. The 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6 in the current Palisade is expected to be dropped from the range.

2025 Hyundai Palisade (Image: Shortscar)

Pricing is yet to be announced, but the current Palisade starts at a list price of $66,800.