2020 Hyundai Palisade Was Made For America’s Insatiable Appetite For SUVs

With the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, the South Korean automaker is venturing into a segment of the market it’s never previously competed in. Premiering at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2018, the Palisade is a gargantuan, three-row, eight-seater SUV that will chase volume sales around the world, particularly in the U.S.

Power for the Palisade comes courtesy of an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6 direct-injected engine delivering 291 hp at 6000 rpm and an estimated 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. All of this power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter that can be paired with both two-wheel and HTRAC four-wheel drive configurations.

The Palisade will have to compete against the very best.

When compared to rivals like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and Ford Explorer, the Palisade slightly edges out all of them in terms of peak power and torque, albeit for the Pilot which has an identical torque figure.

To ensure a comfortable ride and good stability, Hyundai has outfitted the Palisade with 18-inch wheels and 245/60 tires as standard while offering 20-inch shoes with 245/50 rubber as an option. Parts including the front steering knuckles and rear carriers are made of aluminum while lightened front lower arms have been developed to reduce unsprung weight.

One of the key elements of the aforementioned HTRAC all-wheel drive system offering as an option, are the various different modes it offers, including Normal, Sport, and Smart. In addition, there is a Snow Mode that optimizes traction and driver control in slippery conditions. The system does so by adjusting front and rear torque distribution, left and right wheel slip control, engine torque, and shift patterns depending on the available traction levels. HTRAC also incorporates an all-wheel drive locking-differential function.

All 2020 Hyundai Palisade models come with a plethora of safety features as standard. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go.

One optional safety feature is Rear Occupant Alert which uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect movement of children and pets in the rear seats and reminds drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle. If the vehicle detects movement after the driver leaves the vehicle, it will honk the horn and send an alert to the owner’s smartphone. The Palisade also comes with seven airbags as standard and Hyundai expects it to receive a five-star NHTSA crash rating.

Who doesn’t love safety in a good-looking package?

In terms of the vehicle’s design, Hyundai has ensured that it fits in line nicely with smaller models like the Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Sante Fe. Consequently, there’s a large front grille that perfectly matches the LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and turn-signal mirrors.

Hyundai didn’t just want to give the Palisade presence when designing it and have ensured that it is also quite aerodynamic with an impressive 0.33 coefficient of drag. Elements like the A-pillar angle, rear spoiler side garnish, and an optimized front cooling area help to achieve this relatively slippery exterior.

Step inside in a selection variants and owners will find premium quilted Nappa leather. There’s also One-Touch second row seats that can be easily folded away with the press of a button. It’s the same story with the third-row. Each and every Palisade seating row incorporates numerous USB outlets.

At the front, there’s a 123-inch fully-digital TFT center instrument cluster as well as a 10.25-inch TFT infotainment screen. Also found within is Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Infinity audio system with Clari-Fi and QuantumLogic Surround Sound technology. A Heads-Up Display has also been developed for the Palisade, capable of displaying information such as speed, Smart Cruise Control status, navigation, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, speed limits, Lane Following Assist and audio system data.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade will be offered in Beckets Black, White Cream, Lagoon Silver, Steel Graphite, Sierra Burgundy, Moonlight Cloud and Forest Rain.