We can’t stress enough that Americans like things big so it’s no surprise that Korean automaker Hyundai is giving them just that: the biggest passenger vehicle they’ve ever made: the first-ever Palisade.
Produced in Hyundai’s plant in Ulsan, South Korea (this increases its chances of getting to the Philippines), the Palisade is the automaker’s flagship SUV. Replacing the Grand Santa Fe, the Palisade gains a unique visual identity with its wide cascading grille and a vertically-connected, but separated headlamp cluster. This is repeated at the back with the vertically-arranged taillight design. Over to the side, a large glass area conveys a feeling of spaciousness while “oversized” 20-inch wheels fill out the Palisade’s flagship presence.
Inside, the Palisade realizes Hyundai’s move upmarket and offers premium luxury features such as quilted Nappa leather and wood grain trimming. The second-row operates with a one-touch mechanism offering easy access in and out of the standard third-row. For added convenience, the third-row itself features a power folding mechanism.
The Palisade boasts of USB chargers across all 3 rows, a blind spot camera that displays the image of either the left or right inside in the 12.3-inch instrument cluster when the signal light is switched on, the ability to connect 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously, and an industry-first roof vent diffuser which provides quieter and more uniform air conditioning flow across all three rows.
Pitting itself against the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9 in the US, the Palisade is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 direct-injected engine. Featuring an Atkinson-cycle, this engine delivers 291 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque. Available in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, the Palisade uses an 8-speed automatic for a smooth, linear performance.
Outstanding platform stiffness provides for increased stability and smoother riding comfort. The front steering knuckles are made of aluminum while the front arms have been lightened, reducing the Palisade’s unsprung weight. It also achieves best-in-class torsional rigidity with or without the optional panoramic sunroof installed.
The Palisade goes on sale in the US in the second half of 2019. Hyundai hasn’t said if they will be offering it for sale to other markets as well.
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