2020 Hyundai Palisade - Features explained

Taking the mid-size SUV segment by storm this year, Hyundai Palisade has emerged as a game-changing model for the Korean car giant. The 2020 Hyundai Palisade replaces the three-row Santa Fe XL and surpasses its now axed sibling on several fronts. It measures 3-inch longer than the ousted model that translates into a larger cabin with more legroom, shoulder space and headroom across all three-rows.

Additionally, the material quality and cabin insulation have improved over other Hyundai cars. As for aesthetics, the aggressive styling works well for Palisade with some elements, such as the bold grille at the front, sleek headlamps, sculpted arches, etc. highlighting the macho character. 

The Kia Telluride alternative is available in three variants including SE, SEL, and Limited, with seven and eight-seat configuration options. For the base variant SE, 2020 Hyundai Palisade price starts at $ 31,550, whereas the mid-spec SEL comes at $33,500. The fully-loaded, Limited grade comes for $44,700 (all prices MSRP), in comparison to the other two variants.

The SUV sources power from a single 3.8-litre V6 engine good for 291 Hp and 355 Nm torque. Also, the Hyundai Palisade specs sheet includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox that transmits power to the wheels. Brimming with amenities inside out, here are some of the most prominent features that make it stand out in the segment, read on to know more. 

Aggressive exterior styling kit

As mentioned in the beginning, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade possesses aggressive looks that accentuate its true character. The macho styling is supported by bold elements such as LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED accents, premium rear accent lighting, roof-rails, etc. While these elements infuse aggression to its looks, the model, at the same time, appears contemporary as it features a raft of contemporary bits.

Most of the below-listed features come with the tops-pec grade, while some are standard in mid-spec trim as well. 

• Dual-panel sunroof
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Puddle lights
• Door handle welcome lights
• Heated exterior mirrors with turn-signals
• Satin chrome door handles
• Proximity key entry with push-button start 

Mausoleum quiet cabin 

Cabin quietness is paramount, and Palisade offers a mausoleum quiet cabin. It ensures pin-drop silence in the back rows, thanks to the solid cabin insulation and NVH levels that are just right. The engine remains smooth and quiet amid heavy traffic and doesn’t nag. This keeps the maddening city traffic noise from seeping inside and improves ride quality by many folds. Besides, the Rear Seat Quiet Mode on the infotainment unit restricts the audio to front seats, in case the rear passengers are snoozing. 

Comprehensive safety suite 

Hyundai has armed Palisade to the teeth with a plethora of advanced safety tech appointments including lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, drowsy driver alert, trailer sway assist, rear parking sonar and the mandatory camera, stability control, and anti-lock braking set-up. It additionally comes with a check-rear-seats warning function that activates as the engine stops. This allows checking if children or pets have been accidentally left in the car and alerts with an alarm in case anyone is left behind.

Features such as parking distance warning (reverse), electronic stability control, traction control support, brake assist, vehicle stability management, tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire indicator, power window lockdown button, rear child safety locks, dual front airbags with occupant classification system, dual front-seat side-bags, front and rear roof-mounted side-curtain airbags, and driver’s knee airbag are part of the standard safety kit. Other bits restricted to mid or top-spec grades are mentioned below. 

• Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist
• Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist
• Parking distance warning-front
• Ultrasonic rear occupant alert
• Safe exit assist
• Highway drive assist 

Great comfort features 

The Hyundai Palisade features list is comprehensive. It packs an array of comfort bits, ensuring the occupants’ comfort is never compromised. To start with, premium Nappa leather seat covers, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar support & memory function are reserved for the Limited grade.

Heated/ventilated front & rear seats, 8-way power passenger seat, second-row captain seats, third-row power-folding/unfolding reclining seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, dual auto temperature control with CleanAir ionizer, rear AC vents, rear window defroster with timer, heated four-spoke steering wheel, smart cruise control with stop & go, ambient lighting with 64 colours, 12.3-inch digital display instrument cluster and a lot more comes with it. Most of these features are available with the Limited grade only. 

Advanced Infotainment system 

While the 8-inch colour touchscreen audio is common, the larger 10.25-inch unit with onboard navigation & traffic flow, and the 630-watt Harman Kardon audio system with 12 speakers can be had with the Limited grade. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear seat quiet mode and rear view monitor with parking guidance are standardized. USB ports are provided in all three rows that allow charging electric devices as you journey through your destination. In addition to the above features, it also packs the following bits.

• Multiple device connection
• Surround view monitor
• Heads-up Display
• Wireless device charging
• Blue Link Connected Car System
• 115-volt power outlet 

Blind view monitor 

The blind view monitor on the Limited variants is essentially an advanced or enhanced version of the blind-spot detection system. It provides a view of lanes around it (left or right) on the 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel by simply flicking the turn-signal stalk. The instrument cluster features two circular gauge clusters on both ends with a rectangular multi-information display in the centre. One can get a view of the blind spot on either side by just tapping on the respective gauge and receive audio as well as visual alerts. This feature prevents drivers from turning their necks to keep a tab on vehicles coming from behind or sides. 

Drive assist 

Hyundai’s drive assist is as good as Nissan Pro Pilot Assist or Tesla Autopilot without the Tesla puffery. This feature restricts the car in the lane on the highway at a fixed speed and stops or slows if the vehicle driving ahead stops.

However, the driver has to keep hands on the steering wheel every 10 seconds or keep a light hand so that the vehicle knows of the driver’s presence. And this is how Hyundai Drive-Assist allows obtaining level 2 autonomy. It also adapts to the speed-limit signs and speed limits in effect. Again, this feature is not a part of Hyundai Palisade’s standard safety suite as it comes with the Limited grade only and optional on the SEL. 

The feature-loaded Hyundai Palisade Limited is priced right, while the rest two variants miss out on most of the bits and have been priced accordingly. Some of the amenities can be optioned on the SEL, while the entry-level SE comes bereft of a majority of advanced features, albeit Hyundai has packed some crucial tech in the base trim as well. Overall, it is a well-rounded package with some of the highly-advanced features that make it stand apart in the mid-size SUV segment.

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