Hyundai Palisade 2021: Eight-seater flagship-SUV starts from $60,000

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Almost two years after Hyundai put the Palisade on sale in the U.S. the brand has developed a right-hand drive version of the seven or eight-seat SUV primarily for the Australian market to sit above the Santa Fe.

Upon its arrival, the 2021 Palisade will become Hyundai’s range topping model. Naturally, it boasts a very healthy list of standard features, with a small choice of grades and options.

The Palisade will be available with the choice of either the entry-level grade, known simply as the Palisade, or the Highlander which commands an extra $11,000 over the base car – and is also available in a seven-seat configuration.

At launch, buyers can opt for either a 3.8-litre V6 petrol mated exclusively to the front wheels making 217kW/355Nm or the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel putting out 147kW/440Nm to all four wheels. Both drivetrain options are paired to an eight-speed torque converter automatic.

The V6 starts from $60,000 (before on roads) while the torquier turbodiesel commands an extra $4,000. That means the diesel starts at $64,000, with the Highlander topping out the range at $75,000 (both before on road costs).

Hyundai says it has aimed to optimise the space inside the Palisade, giving you room to stretch out in the three-row beast but also fitting plenty of practicality with multiple storage bins and a total of 16 cupholders throughout.

The kids should be happy too, with the Palisade coming standard with three-zone climate control, an Infiinty 12-speaker audio system and seven USB ports dotted around the the cabin.

Upgrade to the Highlander and you gain a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats. In seven-seat configuration, second-row passengers get a warmed and chilled bench, though in eight-seat models the bench is only heated.

As standard, the Palisade is trimmed with black leather upholstery all-round, but opt for the Highlander variant and the large SUV gains a suede headliner and Nappa leather-appointed interior in a choice of either burgundy or beige.  

A 10.25-inch multimedia display sits centrestage in the cabin and is hooked up to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the driver also receives a seven-inch display in the instrument cluster.

Other handy tech include a wireless phone charger, power tailgate and even a recline function for the third-row seats.

Unsurprisingly, Hyundai has gone all out on safety for this huge family hauler. Complete with active tech including lane departure warning, lane keep assist, safe exist assist, and automatic emergency braking with the ability to detect cars or cyclists in the Palisade’s blindspot.

However, passive safety is limited to six airbags in total, not the class standard seven as in the Mazda CX-9.

Hyundai’s Australia local tuning team had extensive input into the Palisade’s chassis turning, the team was able to influence the ride and handling early on in the right-hand-drive car’s development. That meant that no further tuning was needed for Australian cars, so it’s the same as the global setting – similar to the i20 N hot hatch.

Those looking to throw a caravan on the back for a weekend getaway will also welcome a full-sized spare and a 2,200 kilogram tow rating for both variants that could see some buyers pass up rough-riding dual cabs such as the Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max for a bit more comfort.

Hyundai has also added a trailer stabilising assist feature as standard which prevents shaking when taking tight turns while towing. Digital connecting guides are also programmed into the rear reversing camera which should make hooking-up the van easier as well.

The American-style Palisade is already available in show rooms.

2021 Hyundai Palisade: Pricing in Australia before on road costs.

• Hyundai Palisade 3.8 petrol 2WD – $60,000
• Hyundai Palisade 3.8 petrol 2WD Highlander – $71,000
• Hyundai Palisade 2.2 diesel AWD – $64,000
• Hyundai Palisade 2.2 diesel AWD Highlander – $75,000