Hyundai has entered the midsize SUV game in a big way with the Palisade. It stands as their flagship SUV and looks to bring in customers who want 3 rows of useable space while still leaving room for cargo. This all-new platform aims to be quiet and comfortable while offering bold styling and efficient dynamics. However, the Palisade is up against a tough crowd like the Ford Explorer, KIA Telluride, and Chevy Traverse, among others. The Palisade excels when it comes to pricing, starting at $31,550 which is a significant savings when compared to the explorer which starts at $36,665
Stylish Interior
The designers did a great job making the interior of the Palisade feel open and spacious. The center console has a wave-like form to it flowing down from the multimedia system. It uses buttons for gear selection, and there is a dial to choose different driving modes.
Higher trim levels are treated to quilted Nappa leather and wood trim. The seats across all trim levels are very spacious and comfortable. However, the quilted Nappa leather seats look particularly high-end.
All design aspects in mind, the Palisade has a modern feel without sacrificing comfort and manages to hold quality to a very high standard. Especially considering its reasonable price point.
Plenty of Available Tech
The Palisade has some exceptional technology available, some of the most notable features are:
- Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Heads-Up Display (HUD)
- Distance guided cruise control
- Blind Spot detection
- Forward collision assist
When it comes to the multi-media system, you get a 10-inch touchscreen in widescreen format, which can be coupled with a 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. While we didn’t get to experience the digital instrument cluster, the multi-media system worked well and uses Hyundai’s standard system. It’s getting a bit dated but still gets the job done.
Bold Exterior
Make no mistake, the Palisade is one aggressively styled vehicle. It boasts an oversized front grille, alien spaceship-like front LED lights, and a wide hood. It also has optional 20-inch wheels if you’re so inclined. I’m still not quite sure what to think about the exterior styling of the Palisade, but if one thing is for sure, it gets points for being unique and different.
Slightly Underpowered
There’s simply no nice way to say this, the Palisade is a bit weak. The only engine available is a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6, which produces 291 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,000 rpm. That’s good for a 0-60 run of 7.0 seconds, which isn’t terrible, but you must push past the 4,000 rpm mark to get any amount of real power, which can make for a loud driving experience.
The 8-speed automatic transmission is unsettled when going up large hills as it’s just not quite sure if it should stay in 7th gear or move to 8, so it will continually bounce back and forth like a big bouncy ball. It’s not all bad, though, as the 8-speed under normal driving conditions is very smooth, quick, and quiet.
Road Noise
The Palisade suffers from noticeable road-noise, especially at highway speeds. It wouldn’t deter me from getting one, but it’s still worth mentioning, and it’s something that can be improved in the next model year.
Final Thoughts
The Palisade is a family vehicle geared towards moving kids, pets, and the kitchen sink when needed. It manages to be spacious, comfortable, offers plenty of legroom for the middle and rear passengers, and provides an abundance of tech and safety features, all for a reasonable price. When compared against the Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, Chevy Traverse, and others, the Palisade excels at affordability, interior quality, and interior space. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a 7-8 passenger SUV.
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