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The second-generationHyundai Palisadehas big shoes to fill when it arrives in Australian showrooms next month.
Far from setting sales charts ablaze, the original model was a sophisticated three-row SUV. It carved a niche, gracefully straddling the territory between ordinary family haulers and exorbitant luxury SUVs.
The new one promises to do the same… and then some.
"The all-new Palisade is electrifying the SUV scene! Not only is it thefirstof its kind to boast a hybrid engine, but it’s engineered to achieve a coveted five-star ANCAP safety rating right out of the gate. Arriving exclusively in the luxurious Calligraphy trim, this Palisade unleashes a wave of innovative features, catapulting it far beyond the previous generation."
The revamped Palisade sticks to its guns, offering the familiar seven- or eight-seat layout. This positions it squarely in the crosshairs of Australia’s family favorites: think Mazda CX-90, Toyota Kluger, and Kia Sorento, all vying for the title of ultimate family chariot.
Hyundai’s playing in a new league. Forget undercutting rivals; the top-tier Palisade, demanding around $90,000 before you even hit the road, dares to challenge the established order. It’s a bold move, exceeding the price tags of familiar competitors, yet stops just shy of entering the rarefied atmosphere of European luxury SUVs.
"Weeks from its first deliveries, we gained exclusive access. Inside a private Sydney facility, an hour with a near-production prototype revealed…"
Ready to meet the king? Buckle up as we unveil what makes the new Palisade the undisputed ruler of Hyundai’s gasoline-powered SUV empire.
How much does the Hyundai Palisade cost?
While the official price tag remains shrouded in mystery, whispers from the assembly line suggest the all-new Palisade Calligraphy could command a cool $90,000 before you even hit the road.
Prepare your wallet! This new model punches above the outgoing Palisade, exceeding its top-tier, diesel-sipping Calligraphy Black Ink AWD trim, which already commanded a hefty $81,719 plus on-road costs.
The redesigned Palisade enters the arena with a bolder stance, and a bolder price tag. Prepare to pay a premium over the outgoing model, and even more than established rivals like the Mazda CX-90 G50e Azami ($86,070 plus on-roads), the ever-popular Toyota Kluger Grande ($85,135 plus on-roads), and Kia’s own electrified Sorento PHEV GT-Line ($84,660 plus on-roads). Is the upgrade worth the extra investment?
But here’s the kicker: forget the German luxury SUVs for a moment. The Palisade delivers similar space and features, but at a price point that makes the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Audi Q7 seem almost…aspirational. Keep reading, and you’ll see exactly what we mean.
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
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What is the Hyundai Palisade like on the inside?
Forget poring over brochures. The Palisade’s interior story unfolds the moment you glance at the standard features – a symphony of comfort and convenience meticulously composed.
Dressed to the nines in Calligraphy trim, this model isn’t just equipped, it’s overflowing. Prepare to leave the competition in the dust – their offerings suddenly feel…sparse.
Try finding another SUV for under $100,000 that pampers six passengers with heated seats, four of which are also breezy and ventilated. Good luck. The list will be painfully short.
Dive into the Palisade’s cabin, and you’ll uncover a treasure trove of thoughtful touches. Every seat, across all three rows, bows to your whim with electric adjustments, and the two-tone leather steering wheel follows suit. While I applaud the adjustability, I yearned for just a touch more reach from that wheel – a personal quest to unlock the ultimate driving posture remained, frustratingly, just out of grasp during my brief encounter.
Dressed in caramel-brown Nappa leather with striking black accents, our test Palisade wasn’t just handsome – it commanded attention. Forget SUVs; step inside and you’re greeted by a lounge-like atmosphere that embarrasses the Kluger Grande and Sorento GT-Line. This Calligraphy trim? It punches so far above its weight, it’s giving European luxury marques, charging twice the price, a serious run for their money.
Imagine running your fingers across a dashboard that feels like silk. The door panels respond in kind, a subtle invitation to settle in. Glance up: a black suede headliner worthy of a Bentley stretches overhead, lending an air of exclusive luxury to the cabin. And the steering wheel? A tactile masterpiece that begs to be gripped.
Even with its shadowy headliner, the cabin defies darkness, embracing light and airiness. Credit goes to the dual sunroof, a playful feature allowing rear passengers to orchestrate their own celestial show without stealing the spotlight from those up front.
Forget hunting through menus while you’re behind the wheel. The Palisade’s cockpit delivers a breath of fresh air: a modern design that actuallyprioritizesthe driver. Hyundai smartly sidesteps the touchscreen-everything trend, offering real, tactile buttons for essential controls. Think instant access to climate and key functions, not frustrating digital distractions. It’s a driver-centric layout that proves you can have cutting-edge style without sacrificing everyday usability.
The Palisade greets seasoned family SUV drivers like an old friend, yet it’s no antique.
You need only look up at the twin 12.3-inch displays housed in a truly contemporary curved panoramic display.
Imagine sliding into the Palisade and being greeted by a vibrant, crystal-clear infotainment display. Hyundai’s cutting-edge software brings your smartphone life seamlessly into the driving experience with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigating the system is a breeze thanks to its intuitive tile-based menu. And that’s not all – stay connected on the go with standard connected services. Forget fumbling for keys; unlock and lock your Palisade effortlessly with a tap on your smartphone’s digital key.
The driver’s display, once your eyes drift across, is a pleasing blend of function and visual charm. Dive in, and you’ll find a delightful playground of customization options, letting you tailor both the data displayed and the overall aesthetic to your liking. Need even more driving intel? Just glance at the windscreen, where a head-up display projects key information, keeping your focus firmly on the road ahead.
Palisade? Prepare for a tech-lover’s paradise. Forget fighting over charging ports because this SUV is dripping in connectivity. Up front, three blazing-fast USB-C outlets stand guard on the central bridge, right next to a tempting wireless charging pad. And hold on – are your fingers your keys? Because, yes, there’s a fingerprint recognition system onboard.
Hyundai has seemingly thought of everything with this new Palisade, well maybe except for cabin storage.
Despite its substantial size, the cabin oddly pinches on practical storage. The center console bin feels like an afterthought, the glovebox offers little respite, and the door bins are a downright letdown. However, salvation comes in the form of a handy tray nestled at the base of the center stack, along with a surprisingly cavernous opening perched above the glovebox. This minor storage shortcoming barely registers against the backdrop of an otherwise supremely impressive front-row experience.
Hold your horses before you call "shotgun!" The second row, especially in our prototype decked out with "premium relaxation" captain’s chairs, is a throne room in its own right.
Sink into luxury. These aren’t just seats; they’re thrones. Fully adjustable, heated, ventilated, and complete with a personal armrest – fighting over comfort is officially a thing of the past. Road trips just got a serious upgrade.
Even if you’re stretching out, you’ll discover limo-like legroom and headroom galore, no matter your size.
Beyond the basics, the interior delights with thoughtfully placed USB-C ports that offer lightning-fast charging. Forget fiddling with complicated settings – climate control is intuitive and effective. Stowage solutions abound: a sliding drawer in the center console keeps valuables hidden, while generously sized door bins and map pockets swallow everyday clutter. Hyundai goes the extra mile with innovative safe-exit warning sensors for the rear doors.
So, surely the third row must be a spartan wasteland? Nope, not at all.
Forget the penalty box! Unlike other behemoth SUVs that exile rear passengers to a realm of cramped knees and aching backs, the Palisade treats everyone to first-class comfort, even in the "back-back."
Transforming the back row from coach to first class: Power adjustments bring unprecedented flexibility to the third-row seats. And forget chilly rides – even those typically overlooked perches boast heated comfort (for outboard passengers). Passengers back there also have their own USB-C ports, cupholders, and dedicated climate control vents to make the ride enjoyable.
Forget cramped carpools and sibling squabbles. The Palisade’s third row isn’t an afterthought; it’s a haven. Its surprisingly spacious accommodations transform this SUV from a family vehicle into a road-trip-ready command center, leaving smaller seven-seaters in the dust.
Hyundai is keeping the official boot capacity of the new Palisade under wraps, but first impressions suggest it’s ready to rumble with the luggage-swallowing capabilities of its competitors.
Cramming adults into all three rows? Expect cozy quarters. But, fold down that back row andvoila!Cargo space expands dramatically. Better yet, ditch the gymnastics. Conveniently located buttons in the cargo area let you orchestrate a seating masterpiece, effortlessly collapsing both the second and third rows.
Beyond its hybrid heart, the Palisade boasts a hidden superpower: a vehicle-to-load power socket nestled in the rear, ready to energize your adventures. Need more juice? A standard 12V outlet is also on board. But the real kicker? Forget roadside anxieties – a full-size spare wheel is discreetly mounted beneath, offering true peace of mind wherever the road takes you.
| Dimensions | Hyundai Palisade | | — | — | | Length | 5060mm | | Width | 1980mm | | Height | 1805mm | | Wheelbase | 2970mm |
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
For the first time ever, the Palisade steps into the future with a hybrid heart. Forget what you know – a potent turbocharged 2.5-liter engine joins forces with an electric motor and a seamless six-speed automatic, unleashing a combined 245kW. Get ready for a Palisade that’s not just powerful, but electrifying.
| Specifications | Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid AWD | | — | — | |Engine| 2.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol hybrid | |Engine outputs| 193kW / 353Nm | |Electric motor outputs| 54kW / 264Nm | |System outputs| 245kW / 460Nm | |Battery| 1.65kWh lithium-ion | |Transmission| 6-speed automatic | |Drive type| All-wheel drive | |Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.8L/100km | |CO2 emissions| 145g/km |
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
How does the Hyundai Palisade drive?
Like a big, soft family wagon, and that’s no bad thing.
Imagine a miniature Pacific Highway, condensed into a thrilling 1.6km loop. We weren’t just driving; we were dissecting asphalt poetry. Sweeping corners beckoned with siren calls, followed by hairpin turns that demanded respect. Brief straightaways offered a tantalizing taste of open road freedom before plunging us back into the fray. The surface, a mostly forgiving ribbon of smooth tarmac, allowed us to truly feel the car’s every nuance.
The Palisade’s hybrid heart whispers to life, a stark contrast to its predecessors. Regardless of the road’s imperfections, the leap in refinement is immediately apparent. A silent start, a hushed cruise unless, of course, you decide to unleash the beast within.
Hyundai’s Palisade goes hybrid for the first time, and the fit feels surprisingly right. Beyond the expected hush of a near-silent cabin, electrification hints at a potent blend of power and frugality – a promise we’re eager to test drive off the page.
Cranking out a combined 245kW and 460Nm is impressive on paper, but the raw figures don’t tell the whole truth. Behind the wheel, the experience felt strangely disconnected. Stomp on the accelerator, and instead of instant gratification, you’re greeted with a hesitation – a noticeable lag, especially when coaxing the petrol engine from its slumber. The six-speed transmission, while adequate, feels equally sluggish, reluctant to downshift when you demand a sudden surge of power. It’s like asking for a sprint and getting a polite jog.
Once the Palisade finds its rhythm, expect a surge of smooth, confident acceleration that effortlessly conquers highway speeds. While the previous generation Palisade danced to 100km/h in a respectable eight to ten seconds, depending on its engine, the hybrid variant feels like it’s traded dancing shoes for track spikes, shaving precious milliseconds off that time.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that the Palisade is tuned for smooth comfort rather than drag racing – hardly surprising.
Fuel efficiency remained an enigma during our prototype spin, but all signs point to the hybrid Palisade as the new champion of frugality within the lineup, sipping fuel with unparalleled grace.
Hyundai’s groundbreaking hybrid powertrain isn’t just efficient – it’s revolutionary. Imagine a dynamic duo under the hood: one electric motor tirelessly generates power, while its partner unleashes that energy directly to the wheels. The result? An electrifying surge in EV range, significant fuel savings, and a suite of innovative features. Forget range anxiety; embrace the freedom to roam further. Plus, with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, your car becomes a portable power source. And ‘Stay Mode’? That means silent, emission-free operation of all your in-car electronics, without firing up the engine. Hyundai is redefining hybrid driving, one electrifying mile at a time.
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The brief drive left us wanting more, the petrol-electric dance a tantalizing blur. We’ll need a longer waltz at the local launch to truly understand their rhythm.
Tucked away on the dash, a cryptic, unlabeled switch unlocks a trio of driving personalities. Flick it, and the car awakens: Eco for serenity, Sport for a surge of adrenaline, or Custom to sculpt your own perfect ride. And for those who crave ultimate control, the paddle shifters aren’t just for gears; they’re your fingertips on the regenerative braking, allowing you to fine-tune the deceleration with pinpoint precision.
Time was a cruel mistress on our drive, leaving no room for fiddling. Yet, even in its factory setting, the steering proved surprisingly nimble. Guiding this five-meter leviathan required only the lightest touch, a mere whisper at the wheel.
Perched high above the asphalt jungle, the driver reigns supreme with an eagle-eyed perspective. Fear not the vehicle’s dimensions; the abbreviated hood eliminates any anxiety. Crystal-clear views abound thanks to expansive windows encircling the cabin. Though, beware, a full complement of passengers renders the rearview mirror a mere ornament.
However, parking the sizable Palisade becomes less stressful thanks to a crystal-clear, surround-view camera system that shrinks parking spaces down to size on the infotainment screen.
Navigating city streets in a behemoth seven-seat SUV is usually a chore, but the Palisade? Think of it as surprisingly nimble for its size – a gentle giant threading the urban needle with unexpected grace.
However, I expect Hyundai’s new family hauler to do its best work on the open road.
The cabin is a haven of tranquility, even when the speedometer climbs. Imagine gliding down the highway; that’s the experience here. Tire roar fades into a whisper, wind noise is all but nonexistent, and the engine’s song remains a distant hum. This serene soundscape isn’t what you’d expect from a mainstream car – it’s a taste of premium luxury.
That premium feel is also reflected how the Palisade rides, at least on a short stretch of country road.
Forget cookie-cutter engineering. Hyundai’s suspension gurus sweated the small stuff, meticulously crafting passive self-levelling dampers uniquely suited to Australia’s demanding roads – a dedication skipped for the Ioniq 9 and Tucson.
The Palisade glides over minor road imperfections, cocooning passengers in a serene bubble, free from jarring bumps. Yet, it remains grounded and composed when faced with larger dips and swells. The suspension strikes a masterful balance, making it perfectly suited for navigating everyday streets.
Forget razor-sharp precision. The Palisade greets curves with a shrug, not a sprint. Body roll leans into corners like a tired traveler settling into an armchair. Push it too hard, and the front tires complain with a predictable understeer, reminding you that comfort, not carving, is its true calling.
Forget white-knuckle thrills. The Palisade isn’t about carving corners; it’s about serene journeys. Think of it as a rolling sanctuary for the family, rewarding gentle inputs and prioritizing composure over outright athleticism. Drive it with grace, and it responds with quiet competence, a haven of calm amidst the chaos.
"Calling it conservative is an understatement. The Palisade’s Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) don’t just assist; they practically backseat drive, mirroring the intrusive nature found across the Hyundai lineup."
The Palisade’s camera-based driver monitoring system? Let’s just say it’s a tad overzealous. A casual glance to check your blind spot and BAM! You’re being scolded for inattention. And the speeding alerts? Trigger-happy doesn’t even begin to cover it. Thankfully, silencing that particular nag is a breeze. The real test, however, awaits. We’re itching to unleash a production model Palisade onto real-world roads and see if its ADAS suite can handle more than just a carefully curated test track. Stay tuned.
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
What do you get?
Hyundai’s next-gen Palisade is landing in Australia, and it’s bringing the heat. Forget choosing trims – the flagship Calligraphy edition is the only option, loaded with every imaginable bell and whistle. Get ready for the ultimate Palisade experience, Down Under.
2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy equipment highlights:
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Dual tilt and sliding powered sunroof
- LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Privacy glass
- Roof rails
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14-speaker Bose sound system
- Satellite navigation
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Suede headlining
- 16-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory
- 12-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Power-adjustable steering wheel with heating
- Second row relaxation seats (seven-seat option)
- Powered second- and third-row seats
- Heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats
- Heated third-row outboard seats
- 6 x 100W USB-C outlets
- Digital Key
- Fingerprint recognition
- Wireless phone charger
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Digital centre mirror
- Head-up display
- Full-size alloy spare wheel
- Bluelink connected services with OTA updates
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
Is the Hyundai Palisade safe?
Hyundai is targeting a five-star ANCAP rating for the new Palisade, after the previous-gen model launched with four stars.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 8 airbags
- Front, side and rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Parking collision avoidance
- Highway Driving Assist 2
- Forward collision avoidance
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Surround-view cameras
- Smart Cruise Control 2 with stop/go
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
How much does the Hyundai Palisade cost to run?
Hyundai Australia is keeping servicing specifics for the all-new Palisade under wraps for now. But rest assured, this family-sized SUV is shielded by Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty – a cool seven years of unlimited kilometers, offering ultimate peace of mind.
Roadside assistance is included for the lifetime of the vehicle, provided you service within the Hyundai dealer network.
The previous Palisade required annual servicing (or every 15,000km), with five years totalling $2445.
To see how the Hyundai Palisade lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.
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childcareman.xyz’s Take
Early impressions from behind the wheel suggest the forthcoming Palisade isn’t just evolving, it’s poised to redefine its segment. Prepare for a dominant presence.
For a seven-seater under $100k, the Palisade Calligraphy reigns supreme in standard features and luxury. It outshines even some high-end German SUVs with its opulent design.
Beyond its stunning interior, the new Palisade crafts an oasis of tranquility on wheels. Imagine gliding along, enveloped in serene quiet, while the miles melt away in unparalleled comfort. It’s not just an SUV; it’s a sanctuary designed for the everyday adventures of family life.
The switch to hybrid power is welcome from both an efficiency and performance standpoint, too.
Forget sticker shock. The Palisade’s price jump? Understandable after a week behind the wheel. In fact, the fully-loaded model feels like a steal when you consider the Ioniq 9. Thirty grand more for electric? For that price, you’d expect more than just a different powertrain. The Palisade still delivers bang for your buck.
There’s also the potential for more Palisade variants to be introduced at a later date.
For now, the Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid shimmers on the horizon a tantalizing glimpse of Hyundai’s electrified future. We’re already counting down the days until we can truly unleash its potential in its final, perfected form.
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