Prior to the 2020 Palisade, Hyundai’s entry into the 3-row SUV market was to simply a lengthen a Santa Fe, fit in a rudimentary third row, and call it a day. It worked for buyers who weren’t planning on using the third row much, and certainly not for adults. But it didn’t match up well against dedicated 3-row vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, and others.

So, when Hyundai debuted the Palisade, they showed all the signs of making up for lost time. It was plenty big, well-featured, and was clearly not derivative of any existing Hyundai model , though Kia Telluride was openly a brother from another mother. But what surprised many at the model's debut was the design, which seemed to step past its mass market rivals, and anything Hyundai previously offered to seriously tread on luxury territory. Indeed, the dash’s horizontal theme, busy but well laid out center console, and center display as extension of the gauge cluster all looked like they could be right at home under some lofty European brand.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Costs, Facts, and Figures
Via: Hyunda Media

That said, the vehicle is intended to take market share from mainstream brands, so not every Palisade could be heavily laden in luxury features. The entry level SE model lacks expected luxury features like a hands free lift-gate, heated steering wheel, LED Lighting and even some expected driver assist features. Of course, all those things and more become available as you climb the model hierarchy which includes the SEL, Limited, and for those who find those trim names too pedestrian - the top model is called Calligraphy.

Old-School Powertrain

In an industry where smaller displacement and turbochargers are becoming the norm, Hyundai powers all Palisade models the old fashion way with a big normally-aspirated V6. The 3.8-liter V6 generates a no-fuss 291 hp @ 6000 with a peak of 262 lb-ft @ 5200, which is run through an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All models come standard with FWD and have a City/Hwy/Combined MPG of 19 / 26 / 22. While better than the Chevrolet Traverse; as a whole, it is only about 1-2 mpg, less than most of its competitors, including those with turbo-4 engines such as the Subaru Ascent, VW Atlas, and Mazda CX-9.

Hyundai’s HTRAC All-wheel drive is a $1700 upgrade on all trim levels. HTRAC AWD defaults to a 70/30 f/r power distribution, but up to 50% of power can be sent to the rear wheels when needed.

Exterior Has Bold and Interesting Details

There is only so much you can do with the two-box shape of a 3-row crossover, but Hyundai does add some interesting details. The front is dominated by a large version of the brand's 6-sided grille, only here it looks as stretched up as it looks squashed down on the Sonata. Notable is how the bright rim of the grille is thin at the top but gets progressively thicker the further down you go. As Hyundai has done lately with its crossovers, what look like razor thin headlights high up on either side are actually turning lights, while what look like over complex fog lights are actually the headlights. In the Palisade, they are tied together by a vertical LED DRL band. A similar band appears on the inner border of the tail lights which continue down to border red reflectors and then turns to become a lower side trim that is followed through between the fenders.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Costs, Facts, and Figures
Via: Hyunda Media

Another Hyundai styling trope is the playing around with chrome window trim and the Palisade continues the tradition with upper bright trim rises from the base of the A-pillar and then drops down after the wide C-pillar as if to frame a sedan shape. Lower bright window trim stops short of the C-pillar. It is a bit odd if you pay attention to it but isn’t ugly. Interesting detail decisions aside, overall, the exterior is a sophisticated design with plenty of flow and follow-through.

Sophisticated Dash and Practical Interior

2021 Hyundai Palisade Costs, Facts, and Figures
Via: Hyunda Media

It is the interior that really counts on a vehicle like this and it’s here the Palisade shines the most. The dash itself is very clean and simple with horizontal vents connected at the bottom by pewter-finish trim that thickens in the center to house audio and center display controls in the same finish. All other hard controls are on the wide angled-up center console. This includes a three-button transmission control with an adjacent Park button. The upper display is housed in an extension of the gauge cluster housing which looks a bit big for the 8” display on the SE and SEL. The 10.25” display in the same housing fits better. In front of the driver is a handsome three-spoke steering wheel with the usual array of controls. SE and SEL models have analog gauges with and LED driver info screen. Limited and Calligraphy models get a configurable digital gauge arrangement.

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Second row captain’s chairs start at the SEL level.  The third row is acceptable for adult use at least for cross-town. Access to the third row is simplified by a release for a spring-loaded mechanism that both tilts the seat-back forward and slides the entire seat forward as well in about a second’s time. The seats can be moved by a button on top of the seat back for adults or at the bottom of the seat-back side within reach of children.

Pricing and Trims

SE FWD - $32,675, AWD +$1,700

Starting prices for the Palisade’s competitive set range starts as low as $29,800 for the Chevrolet Traverse and as high as $34,910 for the Toyota Highlander. The Palisade’s starting MSRP falls within a grand up or down of the Telluride, Honda Pilot, VW Atlas, Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, and Subaru Ascent. The last is AWD while the rest start as front or rear-wheel drive.

With either drivetrain, the entry-level Palisade gets you the luxury-appearing exterior and dash design, but not many items one would expect on an actual luxury model. The driver’s seat adjustments are manual, and there is no dual zone climate control or push button start. The seats are not leather of course, but kudos to Hyundai for providing cloth instead, which is more comfortable than the glorified vinyl found in entry-level luxury models. The cloth seats also feature the same diamond-quilted pattern as the leather seats, and you can have them in light grey as well as black.

Frills are not completely absent. Paddle shifters are standard, which are always welcome in hilly terrain. There is Bluetooth connectivity that includes Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®, the rearview monitor includes parking guidance, and the steering wheel includes both tilt and telescopic adjustability.

SEL FWD – $35,325, AWD +$1,700

The SEL looks to be where Hyundai expects most Palisade shoppers to land. There is still no leather for your backside but the driver’s seat has 8-way power adjustability, both front seats are heated and the second-row seats are captain’s chairs, though retaining the bench for 8-passenger seating is an option.

The driver-assist features are still slim, but you do get both blind spot and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance systems. Those same sensors give you Safe Exit Assist, which keeps you from opening the door in front of an approaching vehicle. You can start the car with a button now and there is dual zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® just in front of the conventional sunroof.  Not much changes on the exterior except for roof rails, turning light LED repeaters in the side mirrors, and bright finish door handles with welcome lights.

As proof that Hyundai figures this to be the volume model, it is the only one with option packages. The $2,400 Convenience Package immediately steps up the Luxury vibe with 20” wheels along with LED taillights and a hands-free lift-gate. Inside, the driver now looks through the steering wheel at an LCD display, front passengers get wireless smartphone charging, second row passengers get shades for the door windows, 3rd row passengers get USB charge ports, and further back in the cargo area is a 115-volt power outlet. The car also gets a self-leveling suspension and front parking sensors.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Costs, Facts, and Figures
Via: Hyunda Media

The $3,100 Premium Package requires the Convenience Package as well. So, if there is just one gotta-have-it item in this package, it will cost you $5,500 to get it. Most prominent is Nappa leather seating, a 10.25” center display screen and navigation system. The shotgun seat now has 8- way power adjustability, and there is integrated memory for the driver seat position and other functions. The 2nd row seats are heated, 3rd row seatbacks now power up and down, and the driver can easily talk to anyone back there with the Driver-Talk intercom system. This is also where you get Highway Drive Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane keeping ability.

Limited FWD – $45,275, AWD +$1,700

The Limited model is $4,400 over an SEL with both packages, both of which come standard. The biggest addition is the 12-speaker 630-watt Harman Kardon® premium audio with QuantumLogic® Surround with Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology that restores compressed audio sources. Also big is the dual panel sunroof, and the larger 12.3” digital cluster. The driver’s seat also gets 4-way lumbar power adjust and adjustable leg extension. For reference, the Limited is $775 under the starting price for an Acura MDX.

Calligraphy FWD - $46,200, AWD +1,700

The range-topping Calligraphy is a relatively small step over the Limited, and most of its added features are of the gilding-the-lily variety. Adding to the Limited are bespoke 20” wheels, fancier grille treatment, puddle lamps and other minor exterior enhancements. The interior includes quilted leather door panels, a microfiber suede-like headliner, perforated leather steering wheel rim and a nicer cargo protection plate in the back. None of these are substantial, but the low-price step does make just getting the top model an easy decision.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Costs, Facts, and Figures
Via: Hyunda Media

At the top of its range, the Palisade competes well against premium competitors from Acura Buick and Infiniti or others that are less equipped and arguably don’t coddle their occupants any better both in terms of comfort or aesthetics. In fact, its value proposition is best challenged by the mechanically identical, different appearing but just as upscale bumping Kia Telluride.

Sources:  Hyundausa.com,  https://www.hyundainews.com/, Edmunds.com

 

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