[CAR REVIEW] Hyundai Palisade 2023 Arrives in Vietnam: “An Exceptional Investment”

The Palisade, known as Hyundai’s “oldest brother,” has the potential to become a successful car for the brand thanks to its premium interior cabin, smooth driving experience, and spaciousness for the whole family. Equipped with a V6 3.8L engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Palisade produces 291 horsepower and is packed with advanced technologies, making it a “worth the money” car in its segment.

Most accessible price in the segment, many options to choose from

In its segment, the Hyundai Palisade stands out with its affordable price, starting from $36,245 (equivalent to over 850 million VND). In comparison, the Kia Telluride, a sibling model, starts at $37,025, equivalent to nearly 870 million VND. The Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander, two other Asian cars in the segment, have suggested prices of $40,970 (over 960 million VND) and $44,405 (about 1,043 billion VND) respectively.

In the latest 2023 version, the Hyundai Palisade has been updated with exterior design details and added many useful features. The high-resolution digital gauge cluster is particularly noteworthy, displaying satellite navigation and combined with a 12-inch infotainment screen. The steering wheel has also been redesigned, offering different leather material options. The Palisade also comes equipped with additional features such as a WiFi hotspot, heating for the third row, and a massage function in the driver’s seat.

The new XRT version, which has just been launched, features 20-inch 7-spoke wheels, a dark black exterior color, and eye-catching gray details on the front and rear bumpers and grille. Overall, the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy versions have prices ranging from $37,235 – $40,235 – $41,885 – $48,785 to $51,185 USD respectively. Additionally, customers can choose optional packages for the car. According to Car and Driver’s review, the Hyundai Palisade SEL version with the Premium optional package will be the “most attractive” choice for consumers.

Smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable driving experience

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade models are equipped with a standard V6 3.8L engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with quick shift paddles behind the steering wheel. The car shifts smoothly under normal driving conditions. However, at high engine speeds when climbing, the automatic transmission can sometimes be “hesitant” when switching between gears. With 291 horsepower, the 4WD version of the Palisade can easily accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds.

The Hyundai Palisade is highly praised for its good sound insulation, even when off-roading in suburban wilderness areas, although there is still some wind noise at high speeds. The four-wheel drive system is available on all versions except for the top-of-the-line Calligraphy version. All versions of the car come standard with transmission cooling and a trailer hitch.

According to EPA’s standard tests, the Hyundai Palisade has fuel consumption within an acceptable range, with 12.4 L / 100km for city driving and 9.05 L / 100 km for highway driving in the front-wheel-drive version. The four-wheel drive version has a slightly different fuel consumption rate, with 12.4 L / 100km for city driving and 9.8 L / 100km for highway driving. Meanwhile, Car and Driver’s real-world test on the highway, covering a distance of more than 320km, showed that the Hyundai Palisade consumes fuel at a rate of 10.23 L / 100km.

Spacious, comfortable, and modern interior

The SE and SEL versions of the Hyundai Palisade are equipped with 8 seats, while the Limited and Calligraphy versions have captain seats in the second row, providing a total of 7 seats in the car. Power folding seats for the second and third rows are optional on the SEL version and standard on the Limited and Calligraphy versions.

Regardless of the version, this full-size SUV still provides a very comfortable space for all three rows of seats. When all the seats are folded, the car can accommodate up to 33 cabin-size suitcases (carry-on luggage for airplanes)! There is also space below the car’s floor for dirty or wet items. The small water bottle holders on both sides of the doors are compensated by the large storage compartments on the armrests and under the dashboard.

In terms of equipment, the Hyundai Palisade maintains the traditional strength of Korean cars. This full-size SUV is equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen display compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Satellite navigation is available on the ODO screen behind the steering wheel, and satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity are available on all versions.

Surrounding the car, there are a total of 7 USB charging ports, and users can connect 2 devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. By installing the Hyundai Blue Link app on a mobile device, users can even lock/unlock and start the car remotely through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

In terms of safety, the Hyundai Palisade provides peace of mind to customers with its standard advanced driver assistance features on the high-end versions. Notable features include emergency automatic braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and smart adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode.

In the US, Hyundai is one of the leading brands in after-sales service, offering a 5-year or 60,000 km warranty policy. The engine is covered by a 10-year (or 100,000 km) warranty. The free scheduled maintenance policy is also superior to its competitors. In Vietnam, Hyundai Thanh Cong is also one of the leading units in implementing a 5-year official warranty policy for cars.

Modern design, but not suitable for the majority

Unlike smaller-sized models, the Hyundai Palisade features a rugged and extremely massive appearance, with actual dimensions of 4,995 x 1,975 x 1,750 mm (length x width x height) and a wheelbase of 2.9m. The car’s front grille is wrapped in a thick chrome frame.

The main headlights and rear brake lights are vertically arranged, giving the car a synchronized design. The large windows and the pair of roof rails make the Palisade look sturdy. As a pioneer model for others to learn from in terms of design, the Hyundai Palisade’s appearance may no longer be considered new.

However, the Palisade still provides a sporty and solid visual experience. The interior cabin space is arranged scientifically. The central console area is concentrated with multiple functional control buttons, including an electronic shift lever in button form, which goes against the trend of placing everything on the screen like many car manufacturers are currently doing.

The steering wheel and the instrument cluster interface are also not groundbreaking. Although not yet available in Vietnam, users can easily imagine the Hyundai Palisade with a steering wheel similar to the Tucson, a gear shift lever similar to the Santa Fe, and a screen similar to the Stargazer, while the air conditioning vents run horizontally across the dashboard, similar to the Elantra.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)

Source: Car and Driver