Whether you're a larger-than-average family or simply enjoy the space and convenience of a large SUV, the 7- and 8-seater Hyundai Palisade ticks all the right boxes to ensure that you travel in style and comfort. Updated for the 2023 model year, it's more in tune with your needs than ever.
Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade, has been updated for the 2023 model year, hoping to capture a segment of the market that is dominated by premium 7-seaters and the trust slew of Toyota offerings. They set out to do this with a fresh new face, updated tech, and a raft of standard features that are often only available as optional extras on the competition.
While initial sales have been slower than Hyundai South Africa would like, they are well aware that a Hyundai that costs over a million Rand is not going to set the sales charts alight. A steady adoption rate has proved promising though and the burgeoning SUV segment, holding over 50% of all vehicles sold (according to Hyundai’s research) means that bets can safely be hedged on the updated Palisade being welcomed with open arms.
A fresh new face
Immediately, it’s the striking new grille that differentiates the new Palisade from the old. The familiar trapezoidal grille makes way for a barn-door of a grille, following the same design language that one finds on products like the Creta, Venue, and Tucson. If you think the Santa Fe is being left out, we’re expecting a similar treatment to be unveiled later in the year.
The upright and squared-off design makes no bones about the fact that this model is aimed at the American market where robust, angular jaw lines are en vogue. Devoid of any distracting brightwork, the grille is an imposing piece and is flanked on either side by a set of upright headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) positioned where the bonnet, fender and bumper intersect.
New wing mirrors feature attractive side markers, letting those around you know your intent and flashing in unison with the indicators. The new Palisade has also been treated to new alloy wheels, measuring in at 20-inches in diameter and shod with sizeable 245/50R20 tyres. While the Palisade retains the HTRAC AWD system, this is geared more towards loose surfaces and inclement weather rather than being an all-out 4×4, as the tyres suggest with their road bias.
The rear end of the new Palisade sees a less aggressive approach to the changes and only the lower section of the rear bumper differs from what we’ve seen before. A faux diffuser element allows the new Palisade to present as a sportier creation than before.
Tech frenzy
While the previous Palisade wasn’t terribly shy on tech and features, the latest version makes sure that you want for nothing. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system makes way for a new 12.3-inch display system that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both of which require cable tethering. This is a slight move backwards from the wireless arrangement but in doing so, also ensures that there are no breaks in the connection – as has been noted, especially when passing under eToll gantries. This new system has a clean and simple interface and plumbs audio through an Infinity 12-speaker sound system.
The traditional, analogue gauge cluster has been discarded and one will find a full digital display, the likes of which we first saw in the futuristic Staria. The configurable layout allows for your choice of information to be displayed and will also activate the side cameras when you engage the indicators, showing you what is alongside you. This handy feature is a boon with a vehicle of this stature.
Driver safety systems are now included as part of the package with the usual array of adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot warning and pedestrian collision avoidance. A surround-view camera helps with parking manoeuvres while a towing camera view makes hitching a trailer or a boat a cinch. This complements the trailer sway control system which will help keep you pointed in the right direction when towing.
Safety systems extend to a complement of 7 airbags, three rear seats with ISOFIX anchors, and Smart Sense rear seat alert with a Safe Exit Assist that will not allow the rear doors to unlock should there be oncoming traffic. Great for those with kids that have a mind of their own. You can choose from either an 8-seat arrangement or you can spoil the second row with a 7-seater configuration that sees two Captain’s chairs installed in the second row, with their own heating and ventilation. All seat positions benefit from USB-C power outlets and air vents for the multi-zone automatic climate control.
Unchanged powerplant
The 2023 Palisade is available with a single engine only, that of the 2.2 turbodiesel that produces 142 kW and 440 Nm torque. While sufficiently adequate, this mill cannot compete with some of the other diesel offerings in the segment and will not be winning any races. It’s perfectly adequate but one does long for more from it. Its saving grace is agreeable fuel consumption and we were able to return figures of 8.2 l/100 km during our test route with a combination of highways and byways.
It is still mated to an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that is well-programmed and silky smooth. It sends power to all four wheels through the aforementioned HTRAC AWD system that features several drive modes and a variety of terrain options for when you do happen to leave the tarmac.
The drive is smooth and supple with an excellent primary ride, absorbing the large undulations in the road admirably. The secondary ride is slightly compromised and the finer surface changes and small imperfections of the road are not ironed out as well as one would possibly like.
Pricing
As stated, you have a choice of two variants, both with the same level of equipment and identical powertrains, one is a 7-seater and the other an 8-seater. Either of these variants will cost you R1 099 000 which is not too far a cry from their initial launch price of R999 900 way back in 2021. Both come with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, a 7-year/105 000 km service plan and an optional maintenance plan.
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Keyword: Hyundai Palisade (2023) First Drive Review - updated Palisade packs a punch