Hyundai Palisade: First impression

The 2019 Manila International Auto Show has been a flurry of activity with shiploads of new and exciting cars on display. It’s quite true that some cars were clearly more adept at pulling in the crowd, while others could barely attract a second glance. One from the former category was definitely the new 2019 Hyundai Palisade,

which saw its official launch for the Philippines market at the auto show. The Palisade is one of the most important cars from the Korean carmaker, and it just so happens to be their largest crossover SUV on sale. Now, without any further ado, let’s take a quick look at one of Hyundai’s latest babies.

Exterior

The new Hyundai Palisade benefits from one of the most important aspects when it comes to drawing attention – SIZE. The Palisade is one of those cars which you cannot really ignore on the streets, even if you tried to.

This comes down to its vast physical attribute that just commands certain respect due to its sheer presence. You see, this seven-seat family crossover SUV stretches almost five metres, from the tip of its snout to the tail end.

Apart from its proportions, the 2019 Hyundai Palisade is one of the more interesting looking cars. It benefits from Hyundai’s latest design philosophy, and thus, the Palisade’s front fascia wears the brand’s signature new ‘cascading grille’ and it is BIG. Furthermore, there’s a pair of crisp and sleek lighting elements that include the car’s turn indicators and a part of its daytime-running lights.

Right below these, we've got the vertically-arranged LED headlights and the rest of the DRLs. The muscular clamshell bonnet and neatly-integrated bumper finish things off at the front. The latter also features a centrally-positioned air dam along with a chrome front lip garnish.

The Palisade’s side profile is not the only testament to this SUV’s immense length, but it also bears the marks of a sophisticated family hauler. Other notable highlights here include the subtle chrome touches, bold 20-inch alloy wheels, distinctly-carved wheel arches, and a strong beltline.

The rear of the Palisade gets elegant, 3D-design and vertically-oriented taillights, a rooftop spoiler, sporty bumper with twin-exhaust pipes, and an air diffuser. Did you know that the Kia Telluride is a very close cousin of the Palisade? If you didn’t, it’s alright. Because Hyundai has ensured that you didn’t. If you were to break out a measuring tape,

the Hyundai Palisade would come in at 4,980 mm, 1,975 mm, 1,750 mm, and 2,900 mm in length, width, height, and wheelbase, respectively. Also, the total boot capacity of this crossover is a respectable 509 litres.

Engine and performance

In the Philippines, the Hyundai Palisade comes equipped with a 2.2-litre turbocharged four-banger diesel engine. This oil burner is the same unit that’s found under the bonnet of the Santa Fe and develops 197 hp and 441 Nm of pulling power. Armed with Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD with its multi-mode torque-split system and mated to an 8-speed slushbox, the 1.9-tonne Palisade should hit 100 kmph in around 10 seconds.

Interior

Stepping into the new Hyundai Palisade reveals a modern, plush, and well-equipped cabin. Hyundai has clearly put a lot of effort in an attempt to uplift the ambience and poshness of this interior, and it shows. The build quality and fit & finish are top-notch. And for the most part, the touch & feel of various surfaces and trim pieces are great as well.

There’s plenty of room for the occupants, though the third row can feel a tad tight for taller passengers. However, the leather seats offer great support and cushioning, and along with the low NVH levels and excellent ride quality means that the Palisade is almost perfect for long drives.

The Palisade’s features list is exhaustive; there’s tri-zone climate control, automatic LED headlights, power tailgate, dual electric sunroof, keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, all-around parking sensors with surround camera, a 10.25-inch touch-infotainment system with navigation, and plenty more. Meanwhile, some of the safety techs of the Palisade specs sheet includes seven airbags plus a whole bunch of passive and active electronic nannies.

Final thoughts

The 2019 Hyundai Palisade is undeniably one of the finer offerings in its segment, with its eye-catching exterior styling, refined and sophisticated interior, bucket loads of tech and gadgets, and excellent practicality.

Of course, the Palisade price tag is a bit hefty at Php 3.24-million, and that indeed isn’t cheap. But, for what it’s worth, the Hyundai Palisade inevitably comes across as a compelling package. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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