Hyundai’s new SUV is a show stopper

Here is everything you need to know about the Hyundai Palisade.

VALUE

Hyundai’s largest car pushed the brand into new territory, both in size and cost.

Priced from about $60,000 drive-away in basic two-wheel-drive petrol form, it tops out at about $81,000 drive-away in fully-loaded all-wheel-drive diesel Highlander trim shown here.

The big unit is loaded with gear including a 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat nav, smartphone mirroring and a clever intercom system allowing the driver to use a 12-speaker stereo to chat with folks in the back without raising their voice.

Handy tech inclusions range from a powered tailgate and wireless phone charging pad to a mountain of safety gear and luxuries such as a head-up display and 360-degree surround view camera.

COMFORT

Customers are right to expect more than a small degree of comfort from the range-topping Hyundai. And it delivers in spaces, with heated and cooled leather seats for the first two rows, three-zone climate control, and a driver’s memory seat with excellent ergonomics that make the Palisade a pleasure for long drives. We’ve done a lot of miles in the big wagon, and thoroughly recommend it for long days in the saddle.

Other touches include front and rear sunroofs, sun blinds for the rear windows and an intriguing choice of seven or eight seats.

You can have the car with two seats up front, followed by a pair of three-seat benches for second and third rows armed with seven USB points and some 16 cup holders.

Or the middle row can be deleted in favour of two “captain’s chairs” with armrests, more adjustability, plenty of leg room and step-through access to the back.

SAFETY

The Palisade is stacked with digital safety gear including auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts. It goes the extra mile with clever touches such as a camera-based blind spot viewer that appears in the digital dash cluster, and a safe exit assist feature that prevents passengers from opening doors into the path of traffic.

Otherwise, it has six airbags (including curtain coverage for all three rows) and has performed well in crash tests.

DRIVING

The Palisade is impressively composed for a big machine, feeling far more planted than popular ute-based alternatives. It’s far more comfortable than the likes of a Toyota Prado, but we wouldn’t back it against the best in class on a proper off-road adventure. Hyundai’s 2.2-litre, 147kW/440Nm engine needs 7.3 litres of diesel for every 100 kilometres on the road, giving it near-1000 kilometre range that betters most cars.

A smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic is one of the best transmissions in its class.

VERDICT 4/5

The Hyundai Palisade is a great option for big families looking for a dash of luxury.

ALTERNATIVES

Mazda CX-9 Azami LE, about $81,000 drive-away

The top-spec Mazda is similarly plush, with rear captain’s chairs and premium leather. The lack of a diesel option means you’ll spend more time at the servo.

Ford Everest Titanium, about $79,000 drive-away

The Ranger-based Everest isn’t quite as comfy as the Palisade, but it brings plenty of space and impressive four-wheel-drive ability the Hyundai can’t match.

Kia Carnival Platinum, about $70,790 drive-away

A better bet for moving more than a couple of folk at a time, the Carnival suffers from a boring van image and the lack of all-wheel-drive.

HYUNDAI PALISADE HIGHLANDER VITALS

Price: About $81,000 drive-away

Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 147kW/440Nm

Warranty/servicing: 5-yr/u’ltd km, about $3200 for 5 yrs

Safety: 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert

Spare: Full size

Cargo: 311 litres

Originally published as 2021 Hyundai Palisade Highlander diesel review: Big is beautiful