By Steve & Tamami Laser
With the introduction of the all-new Palisade for the 2020 model year, Hyundai will offer five crossovers with different sizes and capabilities. The lineup (from small to extra-large) includes the compact Kona, Tucson, and NEXO (fuel cell), midsize Santa Fe, and flagship three-row Palisade.
Palisade is larger than the outgoing Santa Fe XL. It offers three-row seating with room for eight passengers (or seven with available second-row captain’s chairs), Hyundai Smart Sense safety features, high-tech goodies like touchscreen navigation, a powerful V6 engine, and available all-wheel drive.
Hyundai has dressed the Palisade with dynamic and sporty good looks. Up front is an extra-large version of the automaker’s signature cascading grille flanked by composite headlights and vertically styled lighting elements.
Palisade is larger than its predecessors as well as competitors like the Toyota Highlander. With an overall length of 196.1 inches, Palisade is three inches longer than Santa Fe XL, three inches wider, two inches taller, and rides on a four-inch longer wheelbase.
The standard 3.8-liter direct-injection V6 engine with 291 horses and 262 lb.-ft. of torque (preliminary estimates) includes fuel-saving Idle, Stop & Go (ISG). An 8-speed Shiftronic® automatic transmission transfers power to the front wheels, or all four with available HTRAC® AWD, featuring driver-selectable Normal, Sport, Smart and Snow modes.
A large tailgate with available power functions offers easy access to the reconfigurable cargo area. With the second and third-row seats folded, Palisade offers 45.8 cu. ft. of space for gear, which is nearly 5.0 cu. ft. more than the Santa Fe XL.
The driver is treated to high-tech features including shift-by-wire transmission control and a 12.3-inch digital TFT instrument cluster display. An 8-inch display audio system is standard, while a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system and 630-watt Infinity® premium audio with Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology is available.
Other goodies include standard Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, an available wireless charging pad for compatible devices, and a Heads-up Display for the driver. A new Blind View Monitor is designed to complement Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist by displaying views to the sides of the vehicle when the turn signal is activated.
Palisade offers upscale luxury with available quilted Nappa leather-trimmed seats and smooth woodgrain trim on the dash. With the optional Driver Talk system, the driver can chat with passengers in the second or third rows using the audio system’s “conversation mode.”
The three-passenger 60/40-split second-row seat offers easy access to the third row. Heated and ventilated individual captain’s chairs (shown above) are also available, and so is a dual-pane sunroof.
For added convenience, the third-row seat can be equipped with power folding and unfolding functions. Hyundai says that up to seven USB outlets are available for the use of passengers riding in each row.
Hyundai Smart Sense equips Palisade with a suite of standard safety features. The list includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and High Beam Assist.
Preliminary product features, specifications and launch dates for U.S. market models is subject to change without notice
News source and photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America.
Story (commentary) © 2018 CarNichiWa.com