Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and Elexio: Two bets at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show

Hyundai exhibited two important models at the Beijing Auto Show: the Palisade Hybrid, a family SUV with a 334 HP hybrid engine, and the Elexio, an electric car with a 27-inch screen developed for China. Know all the details.
At the Beijing Auto Show, our reporter caught up with two key Hyundai models: the large Palisade Hybrid and the new Elexio electric crossover. These represent two development paths for the brand: a classic family SUV switching from diesel to hybrid, and an electric vehicle with a large screen and controversial 400-volt architecture, developed locally for China. Naumkin for Tarantas.News The Palisade on display looks like a direct response to the demand for large family SUVs: angular body structure, huge shield grille, vertical lighting and strong proportions that visually take it into premium territory. The main change is under the hood: The diesel is replaced by a parallel hybrid system.B. Naumkin on behalf of Tarantas. NewsHyundai showed the electric crossover Elexio, developed for the Chinese market with BAIC Motors. This car, unlike Hyundai’s global models, is more adapted to local production and user habits. The photos show a more subdued design with a soft front end, pixel lighting, a black roof and a simple, almost minimalist cabin.B. Naumkin for Tarantas.NewsPalisade Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter Turbo G-DI engine and an electric motor, delivering 334 HP and 460 Nm, combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. The top version offers all-wheel drive, while others may be front-wheel drive. The FWD version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 8.1 seconds, faster than the previous diesel model. Palisade is still a large SUV: 5065 mm long, 1980 mm wide, 1805 mm high, 2900 mm wheelbase and 203 mm ground clearance. It has seven passenger seats, two 12.3-inch screens, and upper trims include Nappa leather, driver massage, second-row captain’s chairs, six USB-C ports, wireless charging, and the Hyundai SmartSense.B suite. Naumkin for Tarantas.NewsElexio rides on Hyundai’s E-GMP electric platform but uses a 400-volt system instead of the more advanced 800-volt architecture. As a result, it takes about 38 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, even on a powerful station. The most important visual aspect of the cabin is a 27-inch screen that takes up almost the entire dashboard, and the traditional instrument panel has been replaced by a projection screen.B. Naumkin for Tarantas. NewsHyundai presented two different bets for the future in Beijing. The Palisade Hybrid looks like a mature evolution of a large family SUV: more power, less reliance on diesel and a focus on comfort. Elexio, on the other hand, is an experiment for China: technological and eye-catching, but with remarkable questions about charging, interface and electronics. This is an important moment for Hyundai: The brand can no longer limit itself to bringing global models to China; It must create cars that suit local tastes, the pace of the market and intense competition from players such as BYD, Li Auto, Aito, Zeekr and others.

Automobile Magazine – Spain