File this one under ‘things we weren’t expecting to see today.’ Hyundai has announced some changes to the Palisade in its native South Korea market, including a version of the XRT and Calligraphy Black Ink trims already on sale in the US. But although we’re already somewhat familiar with the midsize SUV’s off-road and blackout packages, we’ve got no context for the third new Palisade variant coming to Korean dealerships for 2027 – the aptly named “High Roof.”
Spaceship Design Means More Space Inside
The 2027 Palisade High Roof is 9.4 inches taller than the standard model, with seemingly all of that overage added to the space below the headliner. Although pretty rare on SUVs, this sort of raised ceiling design was once a common addition to conversion van packages, which turned workaday vehicles like the Ford E-Series and Chevrolet Express into spacious luxury liners. In the Palisade, the higher roof doesn’t seem like it’s there to make moving about the cabin easier – as it is on those camp-ready conversions – but there are a few neat tricks hidden underneath that top-heavy cap.
2027 Hyundai Palisade High Roof Interior HeadlinerHyundai
For starters, the Palisade High Roof comes standard with a rear seat entertainment system comprising a 21.4-inch screen that can stream video from a variety of platforms, including Youtube, Netflix, and Disney+. The higher ceiling also boasts a Rolls-like starfield headliner with added ambient lighting, which should improve ambience for passengers in the second and third rows. The High Roof measures 78.9 inches tall, about an inch more than the Lincoln Navigator and three inches more than the Volkswagen ID. Buzz; Hyundai claims it’ll still fit in most underground parking garages.
The First High-Roof SUV For Korea
The automaker says the latest Palisade variant is Korea’s first SUV-based “high-roof” model, a vehicle class that tends to be limited to passenger vans (just as it is here). Last year, corporate cousin Kia introduced the “Hi Limousine” Carnival, a taller version of the family minivan that offers similarly high-tech entertainment for the rear-seat passengers, although the open floor plan takes more advantage of the taller roofline by making it easier to move about the cabin when parked.
This style of vehicle is decently popular in South Korea as executive transport, and although Hyundai didn’t release any interior images of the Palisade High Roof, we presume it’ll follow its Kia minivan cousin’s lead by offering a four-seat layout with overstuffed, highly adjustable bucket seats in the second row.
Base Trim Engine
L Lambda III V6 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
287 HP @5800 RPM
Base Trim Torque
260 lb.-ft. @ 5000 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
19/25/21 MPG
Segment
Midsize SUV
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
The odds of the Palisade High Roof coming to the US are slim to nil. Considering this body style isn’t even very popular among aftermarket van conversions anymore, we doubt it’d sell well enough to justify the automaker’s expense of adding it to the American lineup. That said, it would be pretty fun for Hyundai to just absolutely dunk on all of its competitors here with such an avowedly and ostentatiously luxurious offering. The Palisade is already a very premium-feeling mainstream SUV, and a luxury liner with a high roof would only further that reputation.
Source: Hyundai
