2020 Hyundai Palisade Review

　　

2020 Hyundai Palisade Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Of the many choices in the class, the all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade has a ton of potential to be a top pick. Our current front-runner is the Kia Telluride, which shares a lot of its basic framework and engine with the Palisade. These two midsize SUVs are similar enough for us to say the decision will come down to preference, with the Palisade being more luxurious and the Telluride having more attitude.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade SE 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for Palisade SE

　　Palisade SE

　　SE 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $31,975 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $33,675 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $33,925 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $35,625 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $45,125 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (3.8L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $46,825 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Outside of personality, both the Palisade and the Telluride hit all the right spots when it comes to a family-friendly SUV. There is plenty of space for adults throughout, cargo space is generous even behind the third row, ride and seat comfort are praiseworthy, and the V6 engine does an excellent job of moving all of this around with ease. You can also rest easy with a long list of advanced safety features and the industry's most generous warranty coverage.

　　Whether you're looking at the well-equipped yet affordable base SE trim or the positively luxurious Limited model, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade should be on your short list of midsize three-row SUVs.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Palisade drive? What the Palisade lacks in all-out performance it more than makes up for with a competent and well-rounded skill set. Accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph takes 7.6 seconds, which is an average time for a three-row SUV. High-speed passing can be done with confidence. In our emergency braking tests, the Palisade demonstrated strong and predictable braking. In more routine driving, the brake pedal is easy to control for smooth stops.

　　Handling and steering are less of a strong point, but the big Hyundai rarely feels sloppy or out of sorts as you drive around turns. Thanks in part to a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic, the Palisade is a stress-free companion for both city and highway driving.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Palisade? Three-row SUVs aren't always hauling around six or seven people, so there's something to be said for having a little peace when it's just you. The Palisade delivers with minimal amounts of road and wind noise and a quiet yet effective climate control system.

　　The front seats offer a nice mix of support for cornering and comfort for driving long distances. Just about everybody should like them. The optional second-row captain's chairs are just as good and feel better than some front seats in other vehicles. Even the third row is decent and has a nicely contoured seat cushion.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Hyundai Palisade blurs the lines between near-luxury and luxury thanks to a well-appointed and comfortable interior for all its passengers. Though a few of the controls on the center stack are a bit of a reach, everything is laid out well and simple to understand. The driving position offers a commanding view out the front and sides, and the somewhat limited rear visibility can be offset with the optional surround-view camera system.

　　Rear passengers will also like the Palisade. The rear doors open wide, and you can easily slide the optional second-row captain's chairs up and out of the way by pushing a button. Once done, there's a clear path to the third-row seat.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Palisade is equipped with several collision avoidance and mitigation systems as well as adaptive cruise control that operates down to a stop. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, and numerous USB ports are spread across all three rows (although only one can be used for phone connectivity). The wide infotainment screen looks sharp, and it comes with navigation that offers several useful features.

　　Our Limited test vehicle also had the head-up display and rear-seat intercom features; both are useful. Sound quality from the upgraded 10-speaker sound system is decent but not outstanding. Another mild disappointment is the optional turn-signal camera display in the gauge cluster. It's gimmicky and can be distracting to use.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Trunk space is generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row and 87 cubes with both rows folded down. Beyond that, the hatch opening is wide and accommodating. There's also a useful underfloor compartment. The Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is an average amount for the class.

　　Small-item storage is almost too much of a good thing: a fairly giant center bin with a retractable cover, a second bin on the floor between the front passenger seats, and a traditional center console. Cupholders are retractable but allow for smaller bottles to rattle about. Even the bulkiest car seats fit easily, and the seat anchors are easy to find.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates an all-wheel-drive Palisade will get 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We were able to match that with our test vehicle on our 115-mile evaluation route. Some rival SUVs offer better fuel economy. But you can run the V6 on regular gas, unlike some rival SUVs that require premium unleaded to return their rated power and fuel economy numbers.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Palisade a good value? The Palisade, and its corporate sibling, the Kia Telluride, might be the best value in the class. Everything is top-notch, from the driving experience to the interior quality to the standard and optional features. Even the base model seems to give you a bit extra, and in the top trims you get a near-luxury experience. Overall, we are very impressed with the quality and feel of the Palisade. You also get Hyundai's excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Palisade really blurs the lines between a luxury and non-luxury vehicle. Value and quality are everywhere. This Hyundai has a breadth of talents and is sure to find itself near the top of this competitive class for a few years to come.

　　

Which Palisade does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend the midrange SEL trim for its reasonable pricing along with the creature comforts you get on top of the base SE model. It's also eligible for a lot of option packages that come standard on the more luxurious Limited trim.

　　

2020 Hyundai Palisade models

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is available in three trims: SE, SEL and Limited. All models are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 (291 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is an option. Passenger capacity tops out at eight with the second-row bench or seven with the captain's chairs.

　　Standard SE features include heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, remote keyless entry, push-button ignition, full-range adaptive cruise control, second-row air-conditioning controls, power-folding second-row bench seats, 60/40-split folding third-row seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three USB ports up front (two USB ports for the second row).

　　Advanced safety features include automatic high beams, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a drowsy driver monitor, lane keeping assist and a rear passenger reminder.

　　Stepping up to the SEL trim adds roof rails, keyless entry, remote ignition, heated front seats, second-row captain's chairs (the bench available as a no-cost option), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　You can get a Convenience package for the SEL. It comes with front parking sensors, a power liftgate, a self-leveling rear suspension, second-row window shades, a wireless charging pad, third-row USB ports, and a household-style power outlet.

　　The Premium package requires the Convenience package and adds LED headlights, leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, driver-seat memory functions, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Finally, the Drive Guidance package includes enhanced driver-assist features, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, satellite radio, an intercom system, and Hyundai's Blue Link Connected Car system.

　　The range-topping Limited trim comes with all of the above as well as a dual sunroof, automatic wipers, additional driver-seat adjustments, premium leather upholstery, ventilated front and second-row seats, a head-up display, a digital gauge cluster, a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera, interior ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium surround-sound system.

　　

2020 Palisade Highlights

Trim: SESELLimitedSE

　　

Base MSRP	$31,975
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$172/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles