IT SEEMS WE’RE ALL going to be driving ever-larger vehicles, and Hyundai is determined to grab its share. The all-new Palisade has arrived in Australia, taking its place as the flagship of the Hyundai vehicle range.
The new Palisade delivers modern elegance in a full-size, family SUV, and gives customers the perfect blend of exceptional comfort and practicality, with smart technologies and the safety of the latest SmartSense features, in a bold and ultra-stylish seven- or eight-seater.
Along with new 2021 Santa Fe, Palisade leads Hyundai’s “18 models in 18 months” product onslaught towards a new and comprehensive line-up, which will include seven SUV models by the end of 2021, encompassing EV (electric vehicle), FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) and hybrid powertrains.
Palisade is engineered to appeal to buyers of large SUVs who want a more car-like driving experience than a body-on-chassis 4WD can provide. Many of the large SUVs are built on a separate chassis, making the drive experience more truck-like than car-like.
People-mover buyers who require eight seats, but prefer the style, flexibility and driving qualities of an SUV, will also be attracted by Palisade.
Developed for Australia
Right-hand drive Palisade was developed primarily for Australia, with a focus on delivering superb safety, stability and dynamics for our unique tastes and conditions.
With HTRAC Advanced AWD and a Multi-Terrain Control system, Palisade has the capabilities to tackle tough conditions, and comes complete with a full-size spare wheel and 2200kg tow rating. Some buyers may baulk at the comparatively low towing capacity.
“We’re pleased to introduce all-new Palisade large SUV as the flagship of the Hyundai range, featuring the perfect blend of smart technologies and luxury features,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jun Heo.
“With seven or eight seats and advanced HTRAC AWD, all-new Palisade delivers a stylish, safe and comfortable SUV experience for the whole family, with superb capabilities on and off the road.
Hyundai Palisade: Range Overview
A simple two-tiered line-up for all-new Palisade makes it easy for buyers to choose the grade that best matches their lifestyle (or, we’d suggest, budget!).
Each grade is offered with a choice of a 3.8-litre V6 GDi engine with front-wheel drive, or a 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRDi engine with all-wheel drive, both teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The range-opening Palisade variant features as standard a cutting-edge 7-inch full LCD Supervision instrument cluster and a clear and intuitive 10.25-inch satellite navigation unit.
Inside features leather upholstery as standard, as well as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, three-zone air-conditioning and Infinity premium audio.
Ensuring the utmost convenience are a futuristic Shift-by-Wire gear selector buttons, keyless entry with push-button start and an electric park brake.
There are six airbags, including side curtain airbag protection for all three rows, as well as a range-standard suite of SmartSense technologies.
These include multi-function Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA) systems.
There are also Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) systems, and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go.
The top-of-the-range Palisade Highlander brings, in addition, Nappa leather upholstery with a suede headlining, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function and 8-way power adjustable passenger seat.
The front seats offer both heating and ventilation, with the comfort of a heated steering wheel. Second row seats also offer heating, with 7-seat variants adding ventilation.
There’s a dual-panel wide sunroof with tilt function, wireless (Qi standard) smartphone charger, Head-Up Display (HUD), a powered hands-free tailgate, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Highlander also adds a Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) and a Surround View Monitor (SVM).
Interior
The interior uses a sweeping, horizontal motif, with premium-trimmed crash pad and console with a satin chrome garnish.
A unified instrument cluster and multimedia unit brings a clear display of the various vehicle functions and completes a classy image.
An elevated bridge-style centre console design places key controls within easy reach as well as creating the impression of a high-tech command centre.
An optimised cabin layout in the Palisade creates maximum space and practicality for occupants as well as cargo.
The Highlander variant brings the option of a seven-seater layout, with its pair of heated and ventilated second-row seats.
Occupants are catered for right down to every detail, such as the seven USB ports and 16 cup-holders placed conveniently around the cabin.
A boarding step and 220mm foot clearance into the third-row enhance entry and egress.
Electric release buttons in the cargo area allow users to fold second-row seatbacks flat with a simple press.
Exterior
A wide, dominant cascading grille is flanked by high-tech, composite headlights and a vertically-connected forward lighting signature.
In profile, a powerful, extended bonnet develops Palisade’s strong road presence, while a bold C-pillar design and wide third-row daylight opening convey generous third-row spaciousness.
A crisp character line connects the front and rear lighting elements, with muscular detailing such as robust over-fenders and sill cladding.
At the rear, Palisade emphasises a wide and stable stance through crisp and confident detailing incorporating a vertical LED tail-light design.
A cutaway roof complements the ample third-row glasshouse, enhancing the generous sense of spaciousness for rear occupants.
Exterior Colours and Upholstery
Palisade is available in six mica and metallic paint colours.
Inside, the Palisade variant features black leather upholstery with metallic-look interior panels and a knit headlining, and the Highlander variant introduces Nappa leather upholstery with a suede headlining.
There is a choice of burgundy Nappa leather or beige Nappa leather with beechwood look interior panels.
Palisade variant paint colours include the standard White Cream Mica, and the premium Timeless Black, Steel Graphite, Sierra Burgundy and Rain Forest.
Highlander with burgundy upholstery is available in White Cream, Timeless Black or Sierra Burgundy.
The Highlander-specific Moonlight Cloud Mica paint is available with beige upholstery, along with Steel Graphite.
Powertrains
A powerful and refined 3.8-litre petrol engine in Palisade develops 217kW and 355Nm, and is paired with Hyundai’s in-house developed eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Lambda II V6 uses 10.7L/100km on the official combined cycle.
A 147kW, 440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is also available, teamed with Hyundai’s eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The R-designated, Euro 5 four-cylinder uses 7.3L/100km on the official combined cycle.
Chassis and suspension
Palisade provides generous space for up to eight occupants, within a highly rigid monocoque that provides the basis for exceptional safety and superb dynamics.
Structural optimisations include reinforced, hot-stamped door-opening and rear side members, and an underbody structure designed to absorb and disperse collision forces.
In addition, a new design for the sunroof opening incorporating reinforced support members achieves structural rigidity equivalent to a fixed roof.
Palisade’s collision-mitigation structure is optimised through the extensive use of ultra-high-tensile steel.
Ultra-rigid construction along with laminated front glass and extensive insulation material in the dash, underfloor, tunnel and body cavity regions ensure a supremely quiet ride.
Aerodynamic drag-reduction techniques, including specially shaped A-pillars and a boat-tail rear turret design, and front and centre-floor under-covers, result in an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.33, which contributes to minimising fuel consumption and wind noise.
Chassis Tuning
Palisade is among the first Hyundai models to benefit from a new chassis tuning approach, which has evolved as a natural development of the local tuning program deployed by Hyundai Australia’s engineering team for the last decade.
The result, showcased in Palisade, is “a testament to the high-quality work being carried out at the Namyang R&D centre now and the close collaboration we have developed with our talented engineering colleagues in Korea,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Product Planning and Development Specialist Tim Rodgers.
The new approach sees Hyundai Australia involved early in the technical development of any given model, providing Australian input to help achieve the ‘flavour’ of the tune required for our specific market.
“We have worked closely with Namyang chassis engineers almost a decade now. With a large number of engineers having visited Australia for tuning programmes many times and driven on our roads, they have developed an intimate understanding of what this market requires,” said Rodgers.
“This understanding of the dynamic qualities needed in Australia and how to achieve them means we can achieve the same results from the get-go. After the HMC team at Namyang finished their initial setup, we drove and evaluated the vehicle on the Namyang proving ground to assess high speed stability and dynamics, and were immediately impressed,” Rodgers said.
“Once the car landed locally, we examined every element of its dynamic performance on local roads, from the tyres – checking NVH and grip levels – to roll response, body heave, body control, and all the minutiae of body movement. The process of evaluation and sign-off incorporated every possible road surface and road type, both in the city and country. At the end of that process, we were confident in the way this vehicle rides and handles,” said Rodgers. “There was no need for any changes, and we think customers will enjoy its combination of agility, comfort and responsiveness.”
Comfort, convenience and connectivity
Head-Up Display (HUD)
Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)
Surround View Monitor (SVM) with Parking Guidance
Shift by Wire transmission
7.0-inch LCD Gauge Cluster Display
10.25-inch satellite navigation system with Infinity Premium Sound System
Wireless (Qi standard) smartphone charging
A wireless charging pad in the centre console, allows users to charge a compatible Qi-enabled smartphone without the use of untidy cables.
Three-zone climate control air-conditioning
Driver Talk (allows the driver to speak to second- and third-row occupants without raising their voice
Quiet Mode (mutes the speakers in the rear)
Remote rear air-conditioning control
Electrically adjusted driver’s and passenger’s seats
Heated and ventilated seats (Highlander adds heated second row seats, with seven-seater variants also offering ventilation).
Power sunroof
Front seat back USB port & pocket
Smart one-touch walk-in & folding seats to second row
Third-row seat recline function
Child seat anchor (five top tethers in eight-seat models, four in seven-seat variants, plus two ISOfix anchors in the second row and one in the third)
SmartSense safety
In addition to its superb passive safety, all-new Palisade features an extensive standard suite of advanced SmartSense technologies.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
High Beam Assist (HBA)
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
Driver Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) System
Lane Following Assist (LFA)
Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA-Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist)
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
Driving technology
HTRAC Advanced AWD System
Palisade features Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system.
Developed as a multi-mode system, HTRAC features an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles.
The system delivers enhanced stability and traction during cornering, and on slippery surfaces, through the optimal apportioning of torque between the front and rear axles, as well as the use of differential braking (the individual braking of a wheel, or wheels on one side of the vehicle).
The system has a broad range of front-rear torque distribution possibilities and is designed to deliver benefits in various conditions, including straight-line acceleration, medium- and high-speed cornering, and hill starts.
Multi-Terrain Control & Drive Modes
HTRAC’s Multi-Terrain Control and Drive Mode systems bring a range of settings that allow Palisade to handle the highway as well as taming the toughest terrain.
Just as in other Hyundai vehicles, Palisade’s Drive Mode system allows users to select a powertrain configuration that best suits their driving style (modes: Comfort, Eco, Sport and Smart).
The Sport setting, in particular, gives a more agile, dynamic feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels.
Additionally, Palisade diesel AWD variants also feature a Multi Terrain Mode system that offers three additional traction control calibrations, to optimise performance on a variety of slippery, low-friction/high-resistance off-road surfaces.
These include a Snow setting designed to limit tyre slip and maximise drive, a Sand setting that apportions torque appropriately for sand-covered surfaces, and a traction-enhancing Mud setting.
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) System promotes safety by preventing shaking when making sharp turns while driving with a trailer attached.
Trailer connecting guidelines
Steering-linked trailer-connecting guidelines on the rear camera image assist the driver to steer to the exact centre, for easier trailer hitching. This function is available by switching the rear-view monitor to top-view mode when reversing (Highlander variant).
Pricing and aftersales
| Engine | Transmission | Palisade | Highlander |
| 3.8 GDi 2WD | 8 speed Automatic | $60,000 | $71,000 |
| 2.2 CRDi AWD | 8 speed Automatic | $64,000 | $75,000 |
| Option pricing | Palisade | Highlander |
| Premium Paint | $695 | $695 |
All prices exclude dealer delivery and on road costs.
| Engine | Service interval | 12 mths | 24 mths | 36 mths | 48 mths | 60 mths |
| 3.8 GDi | Km | 15k | 30k | 45k | 60k | 75k |
| Cost (incl. GST) | $399 | $399 | $399 | $399 | $399 | |
| 2.2 CRDi | Km | 15k | 30k | 45k | 60k | 75k |
| Cost (incl. GST) | $469 | $469 | $469 | $469 | $469 |
Once we have tested and assessed the new Hyundai Palisade, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.