Take a look! This appears to be a new 2026 Hyundai Palisade prototype that is doing some real world high-altitude trailer tow testing in Colorado.
Big thanks to our viewer – Rick Roel – for submitting these image to us at ask@tfltruck.com Rick saw this prototype in Walsenburg, Colorado.
The current Hyundai Palisade has a trailer tow rating of 5,000 lbs – which is a competitive number for a midsize three-row AWD crossover. Will the next 2026 Palisade be rated to tow a higher amount? This is unlikely, but it’s great to see these prototypes doing some testing in the winter cold of the Colorado mountains. These are several mountain passes near Walsenburg and Salida, Colorado.
Pulling this much weight requires the trailer to have brakes, and the tow vehicle must have a way to actuate these trailer brakes. I hope there is an easy provision for a trailer brake controller in this new SUV, or an optional built-in brake controller.
Pulling heavy trailers with SUVs and pickup trucks is mainly a North American phenomenon. While other countries and regions also have utility or camping trailers, this is not the norm in the South Korean domestic market. Although, Hyundai also produces many heavy commercial trucks as well.
Please stay tuned for more as we learn more about the upcoming Hyundai Palisade.
