Hyundai's flagship product, the Palisade was recently updated, and we had a chance to test the newcomer recently.
The Palisade represents the pinnacle of Hyundai’s local line-up, showcasing just how far the South Korean automaker has come in terms of design, quality and engineering in general. We recently had an opportunity to experience the updated model for a week and it left us even more impressed than its predecessor.
Styling
The 2023 Palisade has received various design upgrades that include a revised front and rear bumper fascia, a new front grille, updated headlights as well as a new set of 20-inch alloy wheels. While its predecessor was a good-looking product, the updated Palisade is, to this writer’s eyes, an even more attractive large SUV, managing to look both imposing but elegant, a sentiment seemingly shared by the number of looks and positive comments from fellow road users and passersby during our test week.
Interior and space
The most drastic changes have been made inside, where there is now a new digitised instrument cluster, improved interior materials and seat surfaces and an improved infotainment system. The system is now larger and features a split-screen functionality, the inclusion of USB C media and charging ports for 3-amp charging, a 12-speaker Infinity sound system as well as an enhanced wireless smartphone charger with can now charge at 15-Watts versus 5-Watts previously. The brand has also introduced a so-called ‘Quiet Mode’ for the media hub, which isolates the front occupants from those at the rear, allowing those at the back to sleep or rest while providing media to those up front. The rear passengers also get their own climate control panel and heated/ventilated seats. Overall, there is a greater sense of luxury and an enhanced emphasis on family comfort and convenience in the refreshed Palisade.
Looking at the Palisade from a practical perspective, there’s a selectable 4×4 system, 203mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 18.5 degrees, a breakover of 16.3 degrees and a departure of 21.2 degrees while the braked towing capacity is 2200kg. There is the option of either a 7 or 8-seat model and both have boot volumes that range from 509-1 297-2 447-litres, depending on how the seats have been arranged.
Performance and driving impression
The engine and gearbox remain unchanged with the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, generating 142kW and 440Nm in this configuration. It is mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, delivering power to all four wheels. Weighing in at 1 952kg, the Palisade is not particularly brisk, but it exhibited reasonable acceleration and overtaking ability. However, we do have concerns that the powertrain might feel strained with a full load of passengers, which is worth considering.
During our evaluation, we observed improvements in terms of cabin intrusion and wind noise, resulting in a quieter ride than in its predecessor, while the ride quality and stability were commendable, thanks to the long wheelbase and softly tuned suspension, delivering the anticipated comfort associated with larger vehicles.
Off-road exploration allowed us to assess the capabilities of the brand’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system and the Palisade’s 203mm ground clearance. While the system offers various road driving modes like Smart, Eco, Comfort, and Sport, we also tested the Sand, Mud, and Snow modes designed for off-road excursions. The Palisade encountered some challenges due to its 20-inch road-oriented tires when facing tougher obstacles. However, we were generally impressed with its ability to navigate through muddy ruts and climb sandy embankments, indicating that it should be more than capable enough to serve as a family holiday vehicle.
Safety
The Palisade range was crash-tested in 2022 by the ANCAP programme and achieved a 5-Star rating with 84% for adult occupant safety, 88% for child occupant safety, 62% for pedestrian safety and 83% for its safety assistance systems.
Fuel consumption
Hyundai claims that the Palisade will consume diesel at a rate of 8.2 L/100km, however, our week with the model yielded a figure of 8.1 L/100km, which is slightly higher than we achieved in the pre-facelift model, but impressive nevertheless.
Pricing
The Palisade is available in either 7 or 8-seat guise, both of which were priced at R1 099 000 at the time of writing, making it similar to comparable to the new Ford Everest Wildtrak and the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The Hyundai comes as standard with a 7-year/105 000km service plan along with a 5-year/150 000km vehicle warranty and an additional 7-year/200 000km drivetrain warranty.
Verdict
A week spent with the updated Palisade revealed just how impressive Hyundai’s local flagship is as an overall package. While not as capable in terms of off-road ability versus key rivals, its comfort, level of specification and general ease of use make it a strong contender in its segment.
Keyword: Hyundai Palisade 2.2D 4WD Elite (2023) Review