If you want something wide and spacious – but you can't stand the idea of a people mover – then the Palisade will be your new best friend.
What we like
Improved ride quality
Better security credentials
The inside is large, practical, and has complete specifications.
How much does a Hyundai Palisade cost in Australia?
As long as the long-maligned people-mover keeps attracting the attention of Australian buyers – even if it's currently doing very well – there'll be a big opportunity for the 2023 Hyundai Palisade to thrive.
This is Hyundai's largest SUV and offers space for up to eight people in three spacious rows. It's bigger than your average large SUV and can do so without a sliding door.
Why has the Palisade been refreshed, I hear you ask? Although the big Korean model first hit the Australian market in late 2020, it has been around since 2018. That is, it is a midlife refresh.
The basic recipe is still the same, but this updated Palisade does bring some important improvements and updates.
Firstly, it is now a five-star ANCAP car after receiving additional safety equipment and undergoing further testing. The interior is new with a larger infotainment display, more technology, and a fresher look.
The new range comes in just two variants: Elite and Highlander, both of which have a high level of standard equipment. both are available with diesel all-wheel-drive power or with a cheaper petrol front-wheel-drive setup.
In this case, we have the cheaper Elite spec coupled with the more expensive diesel powertrain priced at $69,900 before on-road costs.
2023 Hyundai Palisade important details
The price is $69,900 plus travel costs
Black Abyss test car color
Metallic Paint Options – $695
The price as tested was $70,685 plus on-road costs
Drive away price $76,572 (Sydney)
Kia Sorento Rival | Toyota Kluger | Mazda CX-9
How much space does the Hyundai Palisade have inside?
This is the main strength and calling card of the 2023 Palisade: space. This giant Hyundai is not only much larger than its Santa Fe sibling but is also available in eight-seat or seven-seat formats.
The difference between the two setups is the second row, which can be conventional seating with room for three, or with two captain's chairs and a narrow aisle between them.
There are definite benefits to a seven-seat setup. While having an extra seat in the middle row has its obvious appeal, the extra space in the middle can be an advantage if you plan on installing an infant seat more often than not.
Even with the large rear-facing capsule, someone could squeeze between the seats and get into the back. Not something easy to do with a conventional three-seat middle row.
Due to the size of the Palisade – and its square shape – the amount of space available is quite good. The sliding second row (with room to burn) allows adults to squeeze into the third row quite comfortably and with good amenities.
If you plan on carrying more than four full-sized adults in spacious comfort, then the Palisade delivers.
Warning: so do people movers... While this Hyundai Palisade competes with other large seven-seater SUVs like the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger, it also (in my opinion) competes with primo people movers like the Kia Carnival, Hyundai Staria, and Volkswagen Multivan.
The updates to the 2023 Hyundai Palisade are visible on the inside via a new dashboard design, updated infotainment display, and updated steering wheel.
It feels fresh and modern, especially with the full-length air vents, but still emphasizes practicality. There's good storage under the shifter, and the large storage bin on top (with fold-out cup holders) can also fit a lot of stuff.
There are plenty of power outlets scattered throughout the cabin, along with cup holders and bottle holders. The twin cupholders on the second-row doors make perfect sense and make me wonder why more cars like this don't have something like that.
You don't get Nappa leather seat trim in this Elite spec, but the leather seats (heated in the front) are still comfortable. They're wide and comfortable and perfect for a vehicle like this. They have 10 different directions of electric adjustment (including lumbar support), which is bested by the Highlander's 12 directions.
The Highlander also gets an eight-way power passenger seat and heating/ventilation for the front and rear outboard seats, while the Elite equips it with a basic four-way manual front passenger seat and heating for the front seats only.
The mix of materials and build quality all look very good in this case, and it's perfect for family use. Overall, this is a family vehicle that is – let's be honest – too big for most Australian families but perfect for those with supersized appetites.
2023 Hyundai Palisade
Seat Seven
Boot volume 311L to the third row
704L to second row
1297L to the first row
Length 4995mm
Width 1975mm
Height 1750mm
Wheelbase 2900mm
Does Hyundai Palisade have Apple CarPlay?
The 12.3-inch infotainment screen on this Palisade, up from 9.5 inches before the facelift, is a clear improvement. Proudly adorning the dashboard and finished in piano black, it allows the Palisade to keep pace with the competition – whose screens are expanding at an astonishing rate.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available via a USB-A connection near the cupholder. You'll notice a mix of USB-A and USB-C outlets, which helps modernize the experience a bit. The infotainment display has native navigation and digital radio and is essentially unchanged from the more expensive Highlander variant.
Also unchanged is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is seen in various other high-spec Hyundai vehicles. Most mimic analog gauges, with a large speedometer and tachometer dominating the pixels. There's some additional information worth digging into here, including tire pressure monitoring.
If so, what is the Elite missing? An adjustable head-up display is a highlight, as is a good-quality surround-view monitoring system. The Elite also lacks rain-sensing wipers and stainless steel speaker covers. That said, the sound system is the same Infinity-branded unit with 12 speakers and an external amplifier.
Is Hyundai Palisade a safe car?
Hyundai used this update to improve the Palisade's previous four-star ANCAP safety rating to a full five-star score thanks to several important improvements. There are now eight airbags on board, including a new front-center airbag.
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) includes cyclist and pedestrian detection and is now enhanced with an intersection turning function.
There's also driver attention alert, high beam assist, intelligent speed limit assist, lane keeping and lane following assist (which has been upgraded), rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
The Palisade Elite hardly misses anything, but Hyundai has chosen to keep low-speed reverse autonomous braking – which works in parking lots and driveways, for example – reserved for the more expensive Highlander specification.
Traffic sign recognition – now a system that uses cameras to read traffic signs as you pass them – is more sophisticated than the old GPS-based setup. However, the execution is a bit lacking. I noted times when the system misread signs, missed them completely or got false information from the back of buses or school zones outside of business hours.
This isn't a deal breaker, but the system's constant reprimands and reprimands can be infuriating. The only way to stop the noise is to turn the system off completely. It would be better if someone just turned off the sound alerts.
2023 Hyundai Palisade
ANCAP rating Five stars (tested 2022)
Safety report Link to ANCAP report
How much does it cost to maintain a Hyundai Palisade?
After five years of servicing – using Hyundai's prepaid service plan – you'll need an average of $489 per year to get this Palisade notebook properly stamped. That's a decent value overall for a large all-wheel-drive SUV with diesel power, but you can find vehicles that are cheaper to service. Toyota's Kluger is a clear winner when it comes to low servicing costs over the first five years.
Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 15,000 km, meaning your prepaid service schedule will last up to 75,000 km.
Ensuring this Palisade Elite works out to $1795 for 12 months of comprehensive coverage. This is based on a comparison quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
2023 Hyundai Palisade at a glance
Five-year guarantee, unlimited km
Service interval 12 months or 15,000km
Service fees
(prepaid) $1467 (3 years)
$2445 (5 years)
Is Hyundai Palisade fuel efficient?
At least the diesel-powered Palisade makes it through the fuel tanks at a relatively leisurely pace. It produces 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers of use, compared with Hyundai's official published claim of 7.3L/100km, in combined cycle testing. When we use cars, city, and highway driving is evenly split.
By comparison, the petrol-powered Palisade Elite uses a claimed 10.7L/100km on the combined cycle; a few liters more overall.
However, don't forget that this petrol engine costs $4000 less on first purchase – so, unless you're going all-in on all-wheel drive, the most cost-effective option here is the number of kilometers you cover. cover.
What is the Hyundai Palisade like to drive?
The most important aspect to note here is the suspension, which has been updated on this facelifted Palisade. New, more advanced shock absorbers have been used, along with new suspension adjustments.
While Hyundai Australia typically employs locally developed suspension systems in its vehicles, this is less of a focus this time around. But don't worry, because the new Palisade's ride quality feels excellent.
The new shock absorber effectively allows a wider operating range, with a soft, almost floaty ride quality around town, yet still maintains a decent level of control through bigger corners and bumps.
For a vehicle designed to take on speed bumps and potholes – with lots of family members on board – the suspension adjustments felt pretty spot on.
The overall steering feel and performance are also up to par. Unlike its new brothers and cousins (such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento), the Hyundai Palisade still uses a torque converter automatic transmission. This is because the Palisade continues to use the old-generation platform underneath, while the newer bones have used a dual-clutch automatic transmission and an updated (but similar) powertrain.
Newer examples also have electrification and hybrid powertrain options; something this Palisade will have to live with until the model changes completely in about four years.
While a more efficient hybrid powertrain would never go amiss, this 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 147kW and 440Nm proved powerful and frugal enough to suit the application. The sound is quite muffled, except for the distinctive rumble of a four-cylinder diesel engine which is effectively suppressed. Even when you step on the gas and reach speeds above 3000rpm, the engine noise isn't too annoying.
While the dual-clutch automatic gearboxes used in other Hyundai and Kia vehicles are great, this eight-speed torque converter automatic is completely painless and predictable for the operator.
You really feel the size of this Palisade a little when driving. Overall visibility is good, but large vehicles don't tend to shrink around you as much as smaller SUVs. The Palisade is a bit longer and wider than most other large SUVs in its segment, and its big boxy shape doesn't feel as slippery as other SUVs.
This is by no means unbearable or even negative, and you're usually used to driving a big Palisade. However, you need to pay attention when driving in crowded cities.
There are a variety of driving modes to choose from on this Palisade, including a new Smart mode that responds to driver input (mostly throttle) to adjust parameters. The all-wheel-drive system now also takes various off-road driving modes, which helps adjust the traction control system to help with slippery road surfaces. Of course, this Palisade will never compete with regular off-roaders, but the added flexibility is useful.
2023 Hyundai Palisade important details
Engine 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine
Power 147kW @ 3800rpm
Torque 440Nm @ 1750–2750rpm
Drive Type wheel drive
Transmission Eight-speed torque converter automatic
Weight 1980kg
Spare tire type Full size
Tow rating 2200kg braked
750kg unbraked
Spinning circle 11.8m
Should I buy a Hyundai Palisade?
The main attraction of the Palisade is undoubtedly the space it offers. In addition to being a people mover, this Palisade also has a decent amount of space in all three rows and seven (or eight) seats. It's practical and well-proportioned, with enough cupholders and outlets to sink a boat.
The overall driving experience and execution are also good. The diesel powertrain is smooth, frugal, and powerful enough for traffic. And ride quality – refreshed by this facelift – is another highlight.
