Revamped family SUV offers hybrid variant and nine-seater for 1st time, competes head on with Kia Carnival

Hyundai Motor's All New Palisade (Hyundai Motor Company)
Hyundai Motor's All New Palisade (Hyundai Motor Company)

Hyundai Motor's flagship family sport utility vehicle, the Palisade, sparked a comeback after six years in Korea, offering a roaring drive and upgraded comfort. The automaker previously avoided direct competition with its smaller sibling, Kia, by excluding hybrid and nine-seater variants. However, with these offerings alongside additional premium features, the competition to lead the large SUV market is heating up.

The Korea Herald checked out the All-New Palisade’s gasoline, seven-seater model during a recent media test drive covering some 108 kilometers in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon.

The vehicle’s bold presence is immediately striking, with its length and height extended by 65 and 15 millimeters, respectively, from the previous model. Its wheelbase also increased by 70 mm, boasting a roomier space. Although shorter than the Carnival, the taller body design allows for greater legroom.

A standout feature is its robust 2.5-liter turbo engine, delivering fast acceleration even for a large vehicle. The engine’s growling sound is far from a quiet ride, but it enables a sporty and dynamic driving experience. While Kia Carnival’s gasoline model is equipped with the 3.5-liter engine, it falls behind the Palisade in the power output. The official gas mileage of the Palisade is 9.7 kilometers per liter, higher than the Carnival’s 9 km/L.

For the first time in the Hyundai’s SUV fleet, the Palisade adopts the “preview electronic control suspension,” a system that enhances the tire traction and overall vehicle control -- features found in luxury vehicles such as the Hyundai Grandeur sedan, the Genesis lineup, and the Kia K9 sedan. This system minimized body roll during cornering, although it does not prevent noticeable impacts over speed bumps or vertical vibrations on unpaved roads.

Driver’s seat view of the All-new Palisade (Byun Hye-jin/The Korea Herald)
Driver’s seat view of the All-new Palisade (Byun Hye-jin/The Korea Herald)

The All-new Palisade is packed with 21 new safety and convenience features befitting a highly upgraded family SUV. Notably, its smart cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2 reduced fatigue during long highway drives and stop-and-go traffic, requiring only a light touch on the steering wheel. The blind spot collision warning promptly alerted the driver when switching lanes and assisted in stable lane keeping.

The vehicle’s interior highlights a more high-end feel than the Carnival, using soft fabrics and comfortable materials inspired by luxury furnishings across the seats, armrests and other parts. The third row also offers amenities such as cup holders, charging ports, heated seats and larger rear quarter windows, whereas the Carnival’s rearmost seats lack comfort and need to install heated seats from auto repair shops.

The Palisade comes in 12 trims, ranging from the 2.5 Turbo Gasoline to the 2.5 Turbo Hybrid, with options, including Exclusive, Prestige or Calligraphy models and configurations of seven or nine seats. Pricing starts at 43.8 million won ($30,500) for the gasoline model and 49.8 million won for the hybrid variant. Hyundai Motor plans to begin deliveries of the gasoline version next month. The Palisade hybrid will be available to consumers by mid-2025 following low-carbon certification from the Environment Ministry.

A view of the first and second rows of the All-new Palisade (Byun Hye-jin/The Korea Herald)
A view of the first and second rows of the All-new Palisade (Byun Hye-jin/The Korea Herald)