Hyundai has given its flagship Palisade SUV a rather unusual version. Meet the Palisade High Roof, a new top-end version for the South Korean market that raises the roof by 240 mm and turns the three-row SUV into something that looks more like a luxury shuttle.
The idea is pretty simple: instead of making the Palisade longer or wider to create more space, Hyundai has gone upwards. Despite the raised roof, the overall height is kept to 2005 mm, allowing it to fit into most underground car parks.
The extra height is most noticeable inside. Hyundai has used the additional space to create a more luxurious environment for passengers in the back. There are pop-out LED reading lights, extra air vents and a dedicated climate-control panel built into the extended roof section. There’s also a ‘Starry Sky’ headliner, which uses tiny lights to create a starry-night effect across the roof.
The High Roof also gets a massive 21.4-inch screen for rear passengers as standard. The optional VIP Package 2 adds a second-row centre console with two wireless charging pads, an air purifier, UV-C sterilisation and heated and cooled cupholders.
The Palisade High Roof is available with seven or nine seats, depending on the configuration. Hyundai is clearly targeting buyers who want something more luxurious for the people sitting in the back, rather than those who plan to drive it hard. Think of it as a chauffeur-friendly SUV with a bit more theatre.
Outside, the raised roof section is finished in the same colour as the body and gets metallic detailing, while black window surrounds and 21-inch alloy wheels add a bit of contrast. The High Roof also gets Hyundai’s electronically controlled suspension, which can use the front camera and navigation data to adjust the suspension based on the road ahead.
The High Roof isn’t the only change to the 2027 Palisade in South Korea. Hyundai has also added a Black Ink version with a darker appearance, while the XRT gets a more rugged look. The range continues with petrol and hybrid powertrains.
The petrol version uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 280 bhp and 422 Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. There’s also a hybrid that makes 333 bhp in total and uses a six-speed automatic. Both powertrains can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive.
In South Korea, prices for the Palisade start at around 44.78 million won, while the range-topping High Roof Hybrid costs 81.59 million won, or roughly Rs 56 lakh.
For now, the High Roof is a South Korea-only offering, and there’s no confirmation of it coming to other markets. It is an interesting take on the large luxury SUV, though. Rather than simply adding more power or throwing more technology at the Palisade, Hyundai has focused on the people who actually matter most in a chauffeur-driven SUV — the passengers in the back. And with a starry roof, a 21.4-inch screen and enough headroom to make the regular Palisade feel positively claustrophobic, it certainly has plenty of party tricks.
