Preliminary specifications and approximate pricing for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have been revealed, with CarExpert obtaining a top-line dealer bulletin through social media.
The flagship of the Korean brand’s range will serve as a premium competitor to the likes of the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger, with prices indicated to kick off at around $60,000 plus on-road costs for the base model and top out at $75,000 before on-roads for the flagship.
According to the document, the Palisade will offer two trim levels, two drivetrains, and the option of seven or eight seats depending on variant. It’s due to be launched sometime next month.
Hyundai seems to have opted against importing lower-grade variants and instead priced and specified the Palisade more in line with mid- to high-grade rivals in the large SUV segment.
Note: US model pictured
Pricing
- 2021 Hyundai Palisade: $60,000-$64,000 (indicated)
- 2021 Hyundai Palisade Highlander: $71,000-$75,000 (indicated)
All prices are ‘approximate’ and exclude on-road costs
Engines
Like the smaller Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, the Palisade will offer both V6 petrol and four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, with front- and all-wheel drive respectively.
The petrol is a 3.8-litre ‘GDi’ V6 petrol, developing 217kW and 355Nm. In North America the engine is fitted with idle stop/start technology, but we’re expecting that feature will be omitted for our market.
As for the diesel, it’s a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel shared with the pre-facelift Santa Fe and previous-generation Sorento. Outputs are rated at 147kW and 440Nm.
As noted earlier, the V6 petrol is front-drive only while the diesel sends drive to all four wheels. Both models will be fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Fuel Consumption
Hyundai is yet to detail official fuel consumption figures as yet.
In the US, the V6 FWD model claims to achieve 22mpg (10.7L/100km).
Stay tuned for an update with these details.
Dimensions
The Palisade measures 4980mm long, 1975mm wide and 1750mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase.
Hyundai Australia hasn’t quoted luggage capacities for our market, but the North American division quotes SAE measurements of 45.8 cubic feet (1297L) behind the second row and 18.0 cubic feet (510L) with the third row in play.
Bear in mind SAE measurements are a more generous way to measure boot space.
As for towing, the US model is rated to tow 5000 pounds (2268kg), so you can expect a 2250kg maximum here.
Safety
Given it isn’t sold in Europe, the Palisade hasn’t been crash-tested against ANCAP or Euro NCAP criteria.
The US’s IIHS awarded the Palisade a ‘Top Safety Pick’ rating in 2020, with the Hyundai SUV scoring top marks across almost all criteria bar the base model’s headlights and the ease-of-use for child seat anchor points.
We’ll need to wait for ANCAP to test a vehicle locally to see how the Palisade fares against Australian safety protocols.
Standard safety equipment will be comprehensive, however. The base ‘Palisade’ trim level will be fitted with:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Lane following assist (lane centring)
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- High-beam assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Safe Exit Assist
- Trailer Stability Assist
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
All models will come decked out with airbags, with the curtain inflators covering all three rows – a key point of difference compared to the smaller Santa Fe.
The flagship Palisade Highlander will pick up the company’s Blind Spot View Monitor side camera system with surround parking cameras as well.
Servicing and Warranty
The Palisade will be covered by Hyundai Australia’s five year, unlimited kilometre new vehicle warranty with roadside assistance for the same period and lifetime capped-price servicing.
Detailed pricing for scheduled maintenance will likely be announced at launch, but we’re expecting the Palisade to be similar to the Santa Fe given the related drivetrains.
As a guide, pre-paid servicing for the current pre-facelift Santa Fe Highlander V6 petrol costs $1050 for three years/45,000km and $1770 for five years/75,000km.
The Santa Fe diesel is a little pricier over the same period, asking for $1305 for three years and $2239 for five.
Stay tuned for a detailed pricing and specifications breakdown when the Palisade arrives in Australia from December.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the Hyundai Palisade includes:
- Eight-seat configuration (2+3+3)
- 18-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare
- LED daytime-running lights
- Roof rails
- Leather-appointed seats and steering wheel (black)
- 16 cupholders
- 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system
- Infinity premium audio
- Tri-zone climate control
- 7.0-inch supervision cluster display
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Shift-by-Wire transmission
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Selectable drive modes x 4
- Roof-mounted air vents for all three rows
Palisade Highlander adds:
- Option of seven (2+2+3) or eight (2+3+3) seats
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Bi-LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Electric tailgate
- Nappa leather seats (Beige or Burgundy)
- Dual sunroof
- Head-up display
- Rear door blinds
- Driver memory function
- Suede headliner
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats (rear ventilated seat for seven-seat models only)
- Heated steering wheel
No options have been detailed yet but the Palisade will be offered with a total of six exterior colours – one standard, five premium – the latter incurring an additional charge ($TBA).
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