Hyundai has been offering vehicles with good value but they have lacked vehicles in the bigger SUV/crossover market until now.
If you’re going to be a little late to the party, you’d better bring your “A” game and Hyundai has with the new Palisade, a seven or eight seat Ute, that’s just the right size for the market.
The Palisade is a bit smaller than an Expedition or Tahoe making it easier to drive around town and park. Still, it’s large enough to fit a family comfortably. The third row isn’t a penalty box. There are three levels and the mid-grade SEL with all the options seems to be a sweet spot for the Palisade.
My AWD Palisade “stickered” at just $43,155 and came nicely equipped. You still can have eight seats which is a big plus for some. You get heated leather seats, a big 10.25-inch touchscreen and loads of safety and technology. Spend another $4,000 or so and upgrade to the Limited trim level. That ups the luxury but cuts the seating to seven.
All Palisade models come with a V6 good for 291 hp and a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic. This big Hyundai isn’t lacking in power. It tends to make the power at a higher rev range yet the transmission wants to upshift as quickly as possible for better fuel economy. The ride is good even with big 20-inch wheels. Don’t expect a corner carver here, the Palisade responds best to the daily commute and long highway cruises.
Cost: $35,200; as tested $43,255
MPG: 19mpg city, 24mpg highway; I managed 21mpg in 489 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Forward Collision-avoidance/Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind Spot Collision-avoidance, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-avoidance, Safe Exit Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert
Options: $2,200 Convenience package; $2,400 Premium package; $900 Sunroof; $1,250 Driver Guidance package; $160 carpeted floor mats; $0 second row bench seat option
Things to know: The new 2020 Hyundai Palisade comes packed with technology and plenty of space for the family for thousands less than the competition. Tired of yelling to third row passengers? The nifty driver talk intercom system allows you to speak normally and be heard throughout the car. The Ultrasonic rear seat warning system lets you know if you leave someone behind when exiting the vehicle. The Safe Exit Assist feature doesn’t allow you to open a door into oncoming traffic.
Pros:
- Big on space with seating for up to eight
- A slew of technology included in all trim levels
- Prices significantly lower than the competition
Cons:
- Not the best fuel economy in its class
- Push button transmission takes some time to get used to
