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2020 Hyundai Palisade SUV is big in Korea, and everywhere else

Packing a sparkling new interior and clever packaging, Hyundai's biggest-ever SUV is ready for family life.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
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The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is the brand's biggest SUV ever.

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Yes, the drive-mode selector knob has a sand mode -- just don't expect Jeep-like performance.

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An extra-long wheelbase helps smooth out the Palisade's ride and provide good interior room.

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That big grille and those "crocodile eyes" headlamps won't be for everyone.

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The Palisade's interior is available with materials and finishes that feel class-above premium.

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Seating for eight is standard, with optional captain's chairs available in a premium seven-seat arrangement.

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A 10.25-inch wide aspect ratio touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

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Palisade one-ups Honda's LaneWatch by piping live video feeds from the sideview cameras in the gauge cluster on both sides of the vehicle.

The blind-spot assistant is triggered via turn-signal use.

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The 3.8-liter naturally aspirated Lambda II V6 delivers 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.

Unusually for an engine in this type of application, it runs on the Atkinson Cycle, which is typically reserved for hybrid powertrains.

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The Palisade's exterior has a vertical theme.

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A thickly framed six-sided grille and unique daytime running lamps mean this SUV won't be mistaken for any of its rivals.

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Tread carefully, even with the drive selector's dedicated sand mode. 

The Palisade is still very much a road-biased crossover, this isn't a Jeep rival.

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Front-wheel drive is standard, with H-Trac all-wheel drive optional.

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The Palisade is heading out to its happier place -- back on road.

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Keep scrolling for more photos of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

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Now you see the deployable cup holders.

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Now you don't.

(Neat party trick aside, you may wish for conventional cup holders that accommodate a wider variety of bottles and cans).

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There's 18.0 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row.

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There's 46.0 cubic feet of space available with the third-row seats folded.

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Hyundai has yet to reveal total cargo volume with the second- and third-row seats stowed, but that number figures to be pretty big.

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