Larger, fancier utility vehicle fits whole family
2020 Hyundai Palisade can compete with more established players
HYUNDAI has never been in the business of larger-sized utility vehicles until the newfor-2020 Palisade made its debut, that is.
The Palisade is the replacement for the tighter-fitting seven-passenger Santa Fe XL that was retired after 2019. The Palisade is built on a new platform that’s shared with Kia’s similar and range-topping Telluride utility vehicle.
Compared with the XL, the Korea-built Palisade has 4 more inches between the front and rear wheels. Overall length has also increased by 3 inches and the body is taller by roughly 2.5 inches. Ground clearance is just shy of 8 inches, which is enough to handle most rough and rocky trails you might encounter.
Those numbers position the Palisade midpack with the competition but at or near the top for passenger volume, which is especially good news for adults occupying the available third row.
The cabin also stands apart from the crowd. The 8-inch touch screen is positioned adjacent to the gauges (a 10.3-incher is optional), while the wide floor console mounts the transmission’s push-buttons and stores assorted valuables. A grand total of 16 cup holders is particularly good news for beverage lovers wherever they’re seated.
Unlike other Hyundai models, the
Palisade has an imposing grille that’s wrapped with a wide band of bling. The rounded fenders and bumper edges contain projector-beam headlamps and available LED running lights. The taillights tie into the rear fenders in similar fashion. Hyundai’s design team definitely avoided anonymity in sculpting this big machine.
Despite the Palisade’s aggressive exterior, there’s a rather standard (i.e., nonturbocharged) engine. The 3.8-liter V-6 puts out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, which is actually ahead of most of the competition. The Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds and the sole transmission is an eight-speed automatic.
Fuel economy stats are officially recorded at 19 mpg city, 26 highway and 22 combined.
Those figures drop only slightly for all-wheel-drive models. The system has Normal, Sport (sends more torque to the rear wheels), Snow (varies torque between the left and right wheels for increased traction), and Smart (eco) settings. As well, the AWD’S locking differential increases traction at lower speeds in slippery conditions.
The Palisade is available in SE,
SEL and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $32,900 to $46,050, including destination charges. Add about $1,700 for AWD.
The SE comes with an assortment of active-safety technology plus safe exit assist that warns the driver if a vehicle is approaching from behind, and will actually prevent the Palisade’s rear passenger doors from opening.
Additional content includes a
panoramic sunroof, navigation system, head-up information display, 12-speaker Infinity-brand audio and 20-inch wheels (18-inchers are standard).
Also available is an intercom system that allows those in back to communicate with the riders in the front row.
An interesting extra is rear occupant alert. Its sensors can detect any movement inside the Palisade after the car has been locked from the outside, which causes the horn to honk and issues an alert to the driver’s smartphone. With it, you’ll never accidentally leave the kids behind.
Selecting the top-drawer Palisade Limited will puff up the price considerably, but it ensures that nearly every option from the Hyundai playbook has been installed. The Limited can be fitted with second-row high-back bucket seats — just like the ones in a private jet — in place of the split-folding bench seat.
The Palisade will agree with a growing legion of big-and-tall-wagon buyers wanting plenty of room for themselves and the gang, and enough comfort and performance to make the journey a relatively effortless experience.