Hyundai NZ considering large Palisade SUV

Monday, 7 October 2019

The Hyundai Palisade is the Korean manufacturer's largest SUV and one that is absolutely packed full of features.

Introducing an even larger SUV than the well-received Santa Fe has become an opportunity for Hyundai New Zealand after the Australian importer recently let slip it had persuaded Seoul to re-engineer Palisade for sale there in 2020.

Hyundai New Zealand has acknowledged it is considering adding the large Palisade as the fifth SUV in its line-up and the first to offer eight seats.

Hyundai New Zealand differs to the Australian operation in being a wholly New Zealand-owned independent rather than a factory-run distributor, yet the two are on close terms and often share product.

The new Venue is a good example of this – both countries negotiated for this soon-to-release sub-compact sports utility, with NZ adopting two of the three versions that will land across the Tasman.

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The Palisade is getting good reviews in the USA, particularly in terms of its big luxury for the money asked.

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The Palisade gets a petrol V6 in the USA, we are only likely to take the diesel if it comes here.

Making it more likely that the Palisade may come here is the fact that Hyundai NZ could have the big SUV in the same mechanical spec preferred by most Santa Fe buyers – with four-wheel-drive, a 2.2-litre turbodiesel and an eight-speed auto.

Yet Hyundai New Zealand says it has yet to make firm plans in wake of the factory's confirmation of availability for right-hand-drive markets.

In the US market the Palisade also gets an optional six-seat layout, with luxury 'captain's chairs' throughout.

'It's exciting news that Hyundai Motor will be manufacturing Palisade in right-hand-drive as it provides us with another option of SUV to add to our existing family of SUVs,' says public relations manager Kimberley Waters.

'Like any new product that becomes available to us there are many factors to be considered and discussions to be held before making a final decision.'

As with all modern Hyundai's, the Palisade's looks are firmly in 'love it or hate it' territory.

Where Palisade gains extra kudos is by adding an extra seat, a lot more room and, in all probability, even a higher, comfort-oriented specification than Santa Fe.

Kiwi interest in SUVs is running hot and this trend has certainly benefited Hyundai NZ. The Kona, Tucson and Santa Fe together account for almost 90 percent of the brand's total volume here.

Though Santa Fe has tapped into the national interest in large-sized seven-seater wagons, there's probably no harm in having a vehicle designed off the same platform – albeit a stretched version - that provides another seat and quite a lot more room.

At 4980mm long, 1976mm wide and 1750mm high, the biggest Hyundai has an additional 211mm extra length and a 136mm longer wheelbase than the Santa Fe.

It is slightly shorter and narrower than the Mazda CX-9, but longer and wider than the Toyota Highlander. These are obvious rivals but hardly the only prey. Hyundai Australia sees Palisade as being a logical rival for buyers who want the load carrying capability of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, without the off-road concessions and on-road heft.

In America the Palisade gets a 220kW/355Nm 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 and in FWD form to meet American tastes. But given that Hyundai NZ has discontinued the same layout, albeit with a smaller-capacity six, in the latest Santa Fe, this version of Palisade would seem unlikely.

However, it is also engineered for the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel as the Santa Fe, cracking out an identical 147kW/440Nm, and in all-wheel-drive. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The US market also gets an opulent six-seat version, with reclining captain's chairs in the second and third rows.

Either way, the Palisade has 590 litres of cargo space with the third row still in place. This climbs to 1,297 litres with the third row folded down.

Palisade's US market equipment level is generous. Nappa leather is standard, while a 10.0-inch multimedia screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head up display, heated and ventilated front and middle-row seats, three-zone air conditioning, 16 cup-holders and seven USB power outlets, an intercom system, wireless phone charging, power-folding rear seats and a 'sleep mode' that can mute the back speakers for snoozing passengers also befit its flagship status.

Like the Santa Fe, it features a rear occupant alert system that will beep the horn if ultrasonic sensors detect movement inside the vehicle once locked, helping look after pets and small children.

Safety and driver assists include adaptive cruise control, lane following assist, AEB with pedestrian detection and blind spot collision avoidance assist.

But Kia fans shouldn't get their hopes up for that brand's equivalent here either - Kia has been reported as saying the Telluride will remain solely a left-hand drive model.