2020 Hyundai Palisade
When the 2020 Hyundai Palisade was first shown at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, we welcomed the new look and approach to its midsized three-row SUV. It was different - different than the rest of the Hyundai lineup. The Palisade exuded confidence from its upmarket look and approach to family transportation.
We finally got to drive the highly touted Palisade for an extended period of time. Do we think this is the new leader of a growing segment? How do we think families will respond to this stylish new entry from Hyundai?
And, it starts with the overall look. To differentiate itself from its platform-sharing partner, the Kia Telluride, Hyundai incorporated some of its latest styling elements onto a boxier shape that exudes its presence through various styling points. From the LED lighting up front to its LED taillights out back, there is a belt line that connects these points, giving the Palisade the upmarket look that is unique among its competitors from both mainstream and premium brands.
“Bold” is a great word to describe the Palisade’s presence. The large grille is flanked by a pair of headlamp units on each side and crowned with a combination running light and turn signal on the top corners of the front end. The overall design is upright, which helps in creating larger doors for better cabin access to all three rows. The flip side of an upright design is determining whether your parking is perfect. That is a good reason to use the series of cameras that appear on the wide infotainment screen.
Which brings us to the interior of our Palisade Limited tester. One could mistake this cabin as one from a Genesis model, with its quilted design on the seats and door panels, perforated leather upholstery, and bolstered front seats. Across all three rows, passengers will find great comfort and space. Our tester had the two captain’s chairs in the second row for seven passengers total. The Palisade can seat up to eight people inside.
Third row access is made easier by a one-touch system. A single button can fold and slide the second row seat for better access in and out of the rearmost seats. This is also helpful in creating more cargo space for major shopping trips. Starting from 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, you can load up to 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third row folded down.
The center console is something that will shock a lot of customers – in a good way. The push-button transmission, climate controls, and vehicle systems are within your fingertips. Above the console is a 12.3-inch wide infotainment touchscreen that has a customizable three-pane home screen. It also houses the panoramic and rearview camera system. Our Limited ester had the full TFT instrumentation screen that changes colors depending on which drive mode you select. The dials change to side cameras whenever the appropriate turn signal is used.
The Palisade’s power comes from a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 that does a great job cruising on the highway. It can also tow up to 5,000 pound behind it. All Palisades have an eight-speed automatic transmission standard with available all-wheel-drive. You can select the right drive mode from a knob on the center console, with a center differential lock for the all-wheel-drive system. In our care we observed an average of 24.1 MPG for fuel consumption.
The ride quality in the Palisade is very smooth. It should be perfect to keep the occupants in the second and third rows relaxed as the big SUV absorbs various road surfaces superbly. This vehicle also handles quite well, as it corners with ease devoid of a lot of roll and lean.
The steering set-up is also accurate and solid. The on-road feel at the wheel is also solid. Braking is strong giving us short stops for a vehicle in its class. The pedal feel is also very good.
Pricing for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade starts at $31,550. Our Limited tester came with a sticker price of $47,605. There are three trim levels and a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive available.
The Palisade’s entry into a growing mid-sized three-row family SUV/crossover segment certainly has spurred on some strong competition. Customer can also look at the Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9, and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Its bold design and cavernous interior are two very strong selling points for the Hyundai Palisade. The rest of the vehicle is equally fantastic. If you are in the market for a mid-sized, three-row SUV for your family, you cannot go wrong by giving the 2020 Hyundai Palisade a very close look.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
