Hyundai launches big SUV
Hyundai SA has launched the Palisade, a very big, very luxurious SUV - their first "million-rand" car.
The Korean automaker has just launched its flagship Palisade, a large high-spec SUV in our SUV and crossover market segment. This is arguably the most competitive market segment in South Africa.
The Palisade – with an overall length just short of five meters – takes its place in the local Hyundai SUV line-up next to its slightly smaller siblings, the Santa Fe, Tucson, Creta and the compact Venue. The range is also complemented by the recently upgraded Kona crossover.
“The Palisade flagship SUV brings exceptional comfort, space, technology and safety in a large SUV,” says Deon Sonnekus, general manager of corporate communications at Hyundai South Arica. “It offers seating for up to eight and a commodious cargo space with convenient features such as one-touch second-row seats for ease of use.
“As Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade offers a host of technology features ideal for family road trips, including an eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, wireless cell phone charging, multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections and a total of seven USB outlets,” Sonnekus says.
He says the seven-seater derivative has ventilated front and second-row seats; heated front and second-row seats in both derivatives, shift-by-wire and innovative roof-based diffuser vents.
“Hyundai’s SmartSense safety technology also comes standard.
“The Hyundai Palisade boasts the design and luxury features worthy of Hyundai’s new flagship SUV, with high levels of all-road, all-weather capability, advanced safety technology, roominess and efficiency,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director at Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “This Hyundai SUV is the ultimate family vehicle for practical, comfortable daily use and memory-making cross-country road trips.”
Design
Sonnekus says the Palisade’s styling conveys dignity with style in an understated theme that demonstrates clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV.
“It has a dominant, bold and wide cascading grille representing a premium SUV. Separated composite headlamps and a vertically connected forward lighting signature create a strong and distinctive front demeanour with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED turn-signal mirrors.
“The powerful, extended hood profile creates an impressive road presence, while bold C-pillars and a panoramic glass side graphic convey generous third-row spaciousness. Panoramic rear glass coupled with a cutaway roof provides a generous sense of spaciousness to rear passengers. The big 20-inch alloy wheels further fill out the Palisade’s flagship presence.”
Although the Palisade is big and looks a little boxy, it still has an impressive 0,33 coefficient of drag (Cd). Sonnekus says this was achieved with specific design cues that include a fast A-pillar angle, a rear spoiler side garnish, an optimised front cooling area with an extended internal air guide, aero underside panels, and rear wheel aero deflectors.
The Palisade is available in five exterior colours: White Cream, Shimmering Silver, Graphite Grey, Moonlight Blue and Abyss Black Pearl.
Interior
“The interior design of the Palisade combines a sense of relaxation and comfort with seven- or eight-passenger seating for family adventures.”
The One-Touch second row seat allows one-touch movement of the seat forward and out of the way for easy access in and out of the third-row seats. Second-row captain’s chairs are available in the seven-seater derivative with ventilated seating surfaces. In the eight-seater, front and second-row seats can be heated, with ventilation for the front only.
Every seating row offers USB outlets for all passengers, for a total of seven available USB outlets.
The audio and navigation display is an eight-inch touchscreen, coupled with a seven-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster for the driver. Two Bluetooth devices can be connected simultaneously to the infotainment system, with one for a mobile phone connection and the other for audio streaming.
The shift-by-wire system also includes automatic park logic that shifts the vehicle into park if the driver opens the door when the engine is off. The centre console bridge design also frees up convenient storage space underneath with driver and passenger access.
“The Palisade also features an industry-first, innovative new roof-vent diffuser design that can provide a focused, partially diffused or fully diffused stream of air to rear passengers.”
A wireless charging pad for compatible Android devices and Apple iPhones eliminate the need for a charging cord. Sonnekus also says the premium sound system is well-suited to the Palisade’s upscale interior.
The Palisade’s Rear Seat Quiet Mode system allows the driver’s row to listen to their selected audio without that same audio being transmitted to the second- and third-row speakers. This way, sleeping passengers will not be disturbed.
Powertrain
The Palisade has a 2,2-litre CRDi engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission that offers HTRAC four-wheel-drive configurations. This four-cylinder turbodiesel engine meets Euro 6 emission standards and delivers 142kW at 3 800 rpm and 440Nm of torque from 1 750 to 2 750 rpm. Hyundai claim average fuel consumption of 8,2 litres per 100 km in the combined cycle.
Gears can also be selected manually with paddle shift controls behind the steering wheel.
HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system with multiple modes
The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-terrain mode system, providing an electronic, variable torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The system has four driving modes: Smart, Eco, Comfort and Sport. The Sport setting gives a more agile feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels, for a sporty dynamic feel. This system has a wide range of torque distribution variability and has been tuned to conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium- or high-speed cornering, and hill starts.
Through its Terrain selector, the HTRAC AWD system also offers Sand, Mud and Snow modes, optimising available traction and driver control. Each mode adjusts front and rear torque distribution, left- and right-wheel slip control, engine torque and shift patterns according to available traction levels. It includes an AWD locking-differential function.
Safety
Hyundai’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert enhances driver awareness to the rear of the Palisade. Using the Blind Spot Detection system’s radar sensors when backing up, the system warns the driver if vehicles approach from the rear side.
Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) monitors the rear seats using an ultrasonic sensor that helps to detect the movements of children and pets. The system first reminds drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle with a message on the centre display. If the system detects movement in the rear seats after the driver leaves the vehicle and locks the doors, it will honk the horn and flash the lights. The system is designed to prevent children and pets from being forgotten in the car, but it also helps in case children accidentally lock themselves in.
The Safe Exit Assist system uses radar to detect cars approaching from the rear and cautions passengers who are about to exit the vehicle. If a passenger attempts to open the door when a car is approaching from behind, a visual and acoustic warning on the centre cluster will alert the driver. In addition, if the driver attempts to deactivate the Electronic Child Safety Lock feature, Safe Exit Assist will override the driver and ensure the rear doors remain locked until the approaching vehicle has passed.
Other safety features include six standard airbags – dual front, dual side, and roll-over sensing side-curtain airbags. The Palisade uses a full-length large side curtain airbag that includes third-row seating coverage. Tyre-pressure monitoring with individual position display, two Isofix anchors in the second seat row and one in the third seat row, and a rear-view camera are also standard. The Palisade has received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in America, and a five-star safety rating from the American National Highway Traffic Safety Association.
Pricing
The Palisade is available in two derivatives with different seating options: Palisade R2,2 Elite (7 seat) – R999 900 Palisade R2,2 Elite (8 seat) – R999 900
Included in the package is a seven-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty; a seven-year / 105 000 km service plan; and roadside assistance for seven years or a distance of 150 000 km.
Technically speaking…
2 199 cc, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, turbodiesel
142kW @ 3 800 rpm / 440Nm @ 1 750 – 2 750 rpm
71-litre fuel tank
Active on-demand four-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic gearbox
190km/h top speed (claimed)
10,5 seconds 0-100km/h (claimed)
8,2l/100km (combined cycle, claimed)
Wheels & tyres: 245/50/20
Weight: 1 952kg (Tare), 2 690kg (GVM)
203mm ground clearance
15 000km service interval
Five years / 160 000 km manufacturer’s warranty
Seven years / 150 000 km roadside assistance
Seven years / 105 000 km service plan
