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Hyundai Automotive South Africa has unveiled its enhanced 2023 Palisade SUV with fresh new exterior and interior design cues, new infotainment and safety features, and advanced driver assistance systems.
“The new Hyundai Palisade has been given a fresh design appeal and features worthy of Hyundai’s flagship SUV,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “The 2023 Palisade is now, more than ever, a perfect luxury family vehicle for daily use as well as memory-making road trips. The design, fit and finish of the Palisade are of a very high standard.”
The South African range consists of the 7-seater Palisade R2.2 Elite and the 8-seater Palisade R2.2 Elite – both equipped with Hyundai’s H-Trac All-Wheel Drive system and a frugal 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers its power via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Bold new exterior features
The 2023 Palisade has undergone several design treatments that gives it a premium, bold appearance. They include:
- New front and rear bumper fascia;
- A new front grille;
- New headlamps and daytime running lights; and
- A new multi-spoke alloy wheel design.
The design of the 2023 Palisade conveys dignified refinement with clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV. The wider, cascading black chrome grille contains rugged parametric shield elements for a premium appearance. The headlight signature features new vertically connected LED composite lights that frame the grille, creating a sharp-edged, technical appeal.
New, 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels fill the wheel openings for a premium flagship presence. New detailing on the lower front skid plate element further conveys a rugged demeanour. The powerful, extended hood profile creates an impressive road presence, while bold C-pillars and panoramic side glass graphics convey generous third-row spaciousness. The enhanced rear view emphasizes a wide, stable stance via vertical LED taillamps and lower fascia skid plate details.
This design has aerodynamic benefits as well, with specific design cues that include a sharply angled A-pillar, rear spoiler side garnish, an optimized front cooling area with an extended internal air guide, aero underside panels, and rear wheel aero deflectors.
Interior enhanced with intuitive utility and premium design features
Hyundai’s designers and engineers have also enhanced the driving and ride experience in the 2023 Palisade with new luxury and utility features. Among them are:
- A new instrument panel, driver’s instrument gauge cluster and audio interface design;
- A new steering wheel design;
- New seating surfaces and materials; and
- Second-row armrest angle adjusters (in the 7-seater derivative).
The infotainment system and technological features have been thoroughly upgraded. It includes:
- A wider high-definition infotainment display screen (with a split-screen function);
- Enhanced USB-C ports replace USB-A ports (with quicker cell phone charging up to 3 amps);
- Enhanced wireless device charging (from 5W to 15W);
- Enhanced dynamic voice recognition;
- An Infinity 12-speaker sound system; and
- New customisable user settings.
Furthermore, two Bluetooth devices can now be connected to the infotainment system at the same time. A Quiet Mode setting lets rear passengers rest or sleep, while the front-seat occupants can listen to music, radio or podcasts. Rear air conditioner settings can also be controlled from the display screen in front. Alternatively, second-row passengers have their own climate control settings panel, with buttons for seat-warming or seat-cooling which has been added in the 2023 Palisade.
New, slim horizontal air vents add a sense of spaciousness and premium ambience. The instrument panel has been redesigned for a more voluminous appearance with new ambient lighting themes. Wireless charging capability has been upgraded from 5 watts to 15 watts for faster device charging.
The interior design combines a sense of relaxation and comfort creating a serene environment with up to eight-passenger seating for family adventures. The One-Touch second row seat allows for easy operation to move the seat forward and out of the way for easy access into and out of the third-row seat.
USB-C outlets have been added for faster device charging throughout the interior, providing extra convenience for all passengers. Furthermore, a conversation mirror allows the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear.
Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert monitors the rear seats to detect the movements of children and pets, reminding drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle; if the system detects movement in the rear seats after the driver leaves and locks the vehicle, it can sound the horn and flash the headlights.
The system is designed to help prevent children and pets from being forgotten in the car, but it can also help in case children accidentally lock themselves in.
Powertrain and suspension
Palisade power comes from a R2.2 turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 142 kW maximum power at 3 800 r/min., and peak 440 Nm peak torque between 1 750 and 2 750 r/min.
The frugal turbodiesel, with an optimum real-life fuel consumption figure of 8,2 litres/100 km, passes the power to the HTRAC® four-wheel-drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission which constantly stays on the maximum torque band.
The Palisade is extremely quiet on the road, with generous under-hood insulation, special sound-deadening carpets and powertrain tuning that delivers smooth, linear response.
McPherson struts at the front wheels and multilink suspension at the rear delivers not only firm and responsive road handling, but also excellent ride quality that is to be expected from a luxury SUV.
HTRAC® All-Wheel Drive system
The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-mode system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch, with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The driver can choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart drive modes that provide confident control in all weather conditions by turning a knob on the centre console.
The Sport setting gives a more agile feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels, for a sporty dynamic feel when desired. This system has a wider range of torque distribution variability than many competitive systems and has been tuned to conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium- or high-speed cornering, and hill starts.
For difficult road conditions, especially when leaving the tar road, the selector knob offers Sand, Mud or Snow Terrain modes.
New safety and convenience features
Hyundai has expanded its safety technologies in the 2023 Palisade. Its generous suite of advanced driver assistance systems includes many innovative technologies, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist; Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist; Safe Exit Assist, Driver Fatigue Detection and Driver Attention Warning; High Beam Assist; Smart Cruise Control; Lane Departure Warning and Lane Following Assist; Highway Driving Assist; Rear Cross-Traffic Alert; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist helps to avoid collisions with objects in front of the vehicle while driving. If a preceding vehicle suddenly slows, or if a forward-collision risk is detected, such as a stopped vehicle or a pedestrian, it provides a warning.
After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking. While driving, if there is a risk of collision with a cyclist ahead, or with an oncoming vehicle while turning at an intersection, it can help assist with emergency braking
While driving through an intersection, if there is a risk of collision with oncoming vehicles detected from the left or right, it can assist with emergency braking. When changing lanes while driving, if there is a risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle detected in the next lane or a preceding vehicle in the next lane, it can assist with steering to help avoid a collision. If there is a risk of collision with a pedestrian detected, partially in the vehicle’s intended path, it can assist with steering to help avoid a collision.
Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist
Lane Keeping Assist helps to keep the vehicle within the lane while driving. Lane Following Assist helps to keep the vehicle centred in the lane while driving.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist helps to avoid collisions with a rear-side vehicle when changing lanes. When operating the turn signal to change lanes, if there is a risk of collision detected with a rear-side vehicle, it can provide a warning. If exiting a parallel parking spot and there is a risk of collision detected with a rear-side vehicle, it can assist with emergency braking. The Blind Spot View Monitor momentarily uses a rear camera to show the driver with an image the instrument cluster whether it is safe to change lanes.
Safe Exit Assist
Safe Exit Assist can help avoid collisions with a rear-side vehicle detected when exiting the vehicle. When the occupant opens the door to exit the vehicle after a stop, if an approaching vehicle from the rear side is detected, it provides a warning. It can also help keep the rear door closed through the electronic child lock when a potential collision is detected.
Driver Fatigue Detection and Driver Attention Warning
The Driver Fatigue Detection feature can pick up indications that the driver might be tired by analysing the driver’s inputs or lack thereof. It can then warn the driver on the instrument cluster that it is time to take a break.
High Beam Assist
High Beam Assist can help switch high beam lights on and off at night for approaching vehicles in the oncoming lane.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist can help avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles detected on the left or right side of the vehicle while reversing. If there is a risk of collision detected with an oncoming vehicle on the left or right side while reversing, it provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking.
Highway Driving Assist
Highway Driving Assist helps maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a highway and helps centre the vehicle in the lane, even when driving through curves.
Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist can help avoid collisions with rearward objects detected while reversing. If there is a risk of collision detected with a rearward object while reversing, the system provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking.
The new Palisade is equipped with six airbags: dual front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and roll-over-sensing side-curtain airbags. The Palisade uses a full-length large side curtain airbag that includes third-row seating coverage for enhanced rear occupant protection in the event of a collision.
The Palisade has a very rigid structure, with strategic use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) in key areas to provide increased tensile strength. The use of Advanced High Strength Steel has several benefits: lighter overall vehicle weight and greater vehicle strength and rigidity without the excessive costs of more exotic lightweight materials.
Robust underbody and side structures are designed to increase energy absorption and cabin intrusion in a severe collision, especially in the small overlap test. Further, its underbody uses multiple load paths to better disperse potential crash energy in the event of a collision. The new Palisade has scored a full five-star rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, more commonly referred to as Ancap Safety.
The new Palisade is available in South Africa in 5 exterior colours: Shimmering Silver, Moonlight Blue, Graphite Gray, White Cream and Abyss Black.
Both the 7-seater and 8-seater derivatives are priced at R1 099 900. Included in the package is:
- Hyundai’s 7-year/200 000 km warranty (consisting of the 5-year/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, with a 2-year/50 000 km powertrain warranty extension);
- Roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km; and
- A 7-year or 105 000 km service plan (service interval is 15 000 km).