Hyundai Palisade review: A new flagship SUV

Hyundai has made the highly competitive SUV and crossover segment in South Africa that much more interesting with the addition of the Palisade. The overall length of the Palisade is just under five metres, and with that brings exceptional space, comfort and safety. Add to that upgraded technology and you are off on one of your best drives ever in an eight-seater. There is a One Touch second-row seats feature that makes getting in and out of the formidable Palisade easy.
Hyundai Palisade review: A new flagship SUV

Design

The Hyundai Palisade’s exterior and interior design clearly reflect its unique flagship identity with a premium, distinctive and bold road presence.

The Palisade’s styling conveys dignity with style in an understated theme that demonstrates clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV. From the front, a dominant, bold and wide cascading grille represents a premium SUV. Separated composite headlamps and a vertically connected forward lighting signature create a strong and distinctive front look, with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED turn-signal mirrors.

The rearview emphasises a wide and stable stance via graceful detailing and a vertical LED rear tail lamp design. Panoramic rear glass coupled with a cutaway roof provides a generous sense of spaciousness to rear passengers. The big 20-inch alloy wheels further fill out the Palisade’s flagship presence.

Interior

The interior design of the Palisade combines a sense of relaxation and comfort, creating a serene environment with seven- or eight-passenger seating for family adventures. The One-Touch second-row seat allows one-touch movement of the seat forward and out of the way for easy access in and out of the third-row seats. Second-row captain’s chairs are available in the seven-seater derivative with ventilated seating surfaces. In the eight-seater, front and second-row seats can be heated, with ventilation for the front only.

Hyundai Palisade review: A new flagship SUV
Hyundai Palisade review: A new flagship SUV

Every Palisade seating row offers USB outlets for all passengers, for a total of seven available USB outlets. Even more, a wide-angle conversation mirror allows the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear.

The Palisade offers abundant technology, including navigation display on the infotainment system’s screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. To eliminate the need for a charging cord, there’s a wireless charging pad for compatible Android devices and Apple iPhones. When it comes to audio technology, the premium sound system is well-suited to the Palisade’s upscale interior.

High tech

As Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade offers a host of technology features ideal for family road trips, including an eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions; wireless cell phone charging; multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections; seven USB outlets; ventilated front and second-row seats in the seven-seater derivative; heated front and second-row seats in both derivatives, shift-by-wire and innovative roof-based diffuser vents. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety technology also comes standard.

Hyundai Palisade review: A new flagship SUV

Powertrain

Under the hood is a R2.2 CRDi engine, linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This highly efficient 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine delivers 142kW maximum power at 3,800r/min. At the launch test, there was an average combined fuel consumption of 8,2ls per 100km in urban and extra-urban or highway driving was achieved.

Safety

The Palisade offers several standard advanced safety technologies, including Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert.

Hyundai’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert enhances driver awareness to the rear of the Palisade. Using the Blind Spot Detection system’s radar sensors when backing up, the system warns the driver if vehicles approach from the rear side. Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) monitors the rear seats using an ultrasonic sensor that helps to detect the movements of children and pets.

“The Hyundai Palisade boasts the design and luxury features worthy of Hyundai’s new flagship SUV, with high levels of all-road, all-weather capability, advanced safety technology, roominess and efficiency,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director at Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Pricing

  • Palisade R2.2 7-seater Elite (auto) R999,900
  • Palisade R2.2 8-seater Elite (auto) R999,900

About Naresh Maharaj

Naresh Maharaj is a petrol head who loves cars and writing about them. He is also a Member of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists. Naresh is also an international sports correspondent and an acclaimed corporate MC and voice-over artist. Naresh is a sports/news producer for community radio stations and also an award-winning sports journalist. Contact Naresh on moc.liamg@123jarahamn.
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