Hyundai Palisade: Because bigger is betterer

Hyundai’s SUV range is due to expand in the next few weeks with the release of the Palisade.

It will be available in Active X and Highlander trim, with a starting price of $60,000 for the entry petrol model or $64,000 for the turbo diesel.

Highlander is $71,000 for petrol or $75,000 for the diesel.

The entry level model comes with eight seats, while the diesel will be available with seven or eight seats.

This places the Palisade firmly at the top of the Hyundai range and bridges the gap between the forthcoming Genesis GV70 and recently released GV80.

The name gives away its source, as the Palisade has been in the US for some time, with a distinctively American look.

We’ve seen the car in the flesh and can confirm it’s a not unattractive looking machine.

The front has a similar look to the current (and also due for release 2021 Santa Fe) with eyebrow LED driving lights placed high up, alongside the top edge of the Hyundai shield grille.

The main headlights are styled differently and sit mid-height.

In profile, Palisade’s American styling sees a run from the A-pillar in one unbroken strip above the top of the doors to the rear, with a strong C-pillar delineation evoking the station wagon look of decades past.

That separate rear section look also hints at the much talked about ute from Hyundai.

Solid vertically aligned rear lights finish the package.

Palisade will have 18 inch alloys, Highlander jumps to 20s.

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Power comes from Hyundai’s 2.2-litre diesel with 147kW of power and 440Nm of torque, or a 3.8-litre V6 petrol-fed engine, with 217kW and 355Nm.

The Palisade follows the Santa Fe (and Kia Sorento) drive train model of front-wheel drive for the petrol, all-wheel drive for the diesel.

All get an 8-speed auto and bi-mode drive choice for road and terrain.

This features Eco, Comfort, Sport or Mud, Snow, and Sand..

Standard equipment for the Active X is solid.

A large 10.25 inch touchscreen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the driver has a crystal clear 7.0 inch digital screen.

There’s also black leather trim, Autonomous Emergency Braking and adaptive cruise — plus Safe Exit Warning.

The latter uses external sensors to check for obstacles that may potentially impact an opening door.

Highlander has LED headlights, heated front and centre pews with venting for the front seats, a two-position memory function for the driver seat, 360 degree camera, and a dual pane sun-roof.

Rear seat aircon will also be standard.

Pre-orders for Palisade are being taken now ahead of its official launch.

We’ll have a review of the Highlander seven-seater in February.

Note: Some months ago Cars4starters suggested the Kia Telluride looked the goods and that it should perhaps be considered for inclusion in the local lineup.

Telluride is of course the Kia equivalent of the Palisade and now we know why Kia talked that one down — big brother had as they say pulled rank.