Hyundai Palisade 2023: Australian specification locked-in ahead of Q3 release

John Law

Contributor

Ahead of its launch later this year, Hyundai Australia has revealed specification for the facelifted Palisade large SUV

Last month, Hyundai Australia confirmed that the facelifted Palisade three-row large SUV would launch later this year but now specifications have been finalised ahead of its Australian release between July and October 2022.

The updated Palisade ushers in greater safety features including junction AEB as standard, while also sharpening the looks of the seven- or eight-seat Toyota Kluger, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9 rival.

Hyundai Palisade 2023-4 — The facelifted Palisade will hit Aussie shores this year

Hyundai Australia has also revamped the range, ditching the base model ‘Palisade’ and moving forward with a two-strong Elite and Highlander range with carryover engines including the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with AWD and 3.8-litre petrol V6 with front-drive.

In addition to the safety and drivetrain updates, the Palisade will be the first Hyundai to debut new Bluelink smartphone connectivity in Australia.

What’s new inside the Palisade?

In the Palisade’s cabin, Hyundai has bulked out the technology package with a wide 12.3-inch touchscreen in the centre and a new 12.3-inch digital driver’s display featured on both trim levels.

The up-spec Highlander the Palisade leans further into luxury with Nappa leather- and suede-appointed heated and ventilated electric seats and a four-spoke steering wheel.

Hyundai Palisade 2023-2 — Inside the Palisade’s screens have grown significantly

Just as before, the Palisade Highlander will be offered in either seven- or eight-seat configurations with second row captain’s chairs available.

The cabin design has also been given a lift with greater focus on light wood trim, and winged headrests for the second-row offering a Range Rover-lite experience.

There are now more interesting colour options for Palisade models including Robust Emerald, Olivine Grey and Gaia Brown among old favourites such as Sierra Burgundy and Abyss Black.

Hyundai Palisade 2023-1 — Want luxury for under $100K? The new Palisade might have you covered

The cabin also offers colour customisation including Dark Khaki, Black or Warm Grey two-tone-tanned Nappa leather.

How much safer is the new Palisade?

Following its belated four-star ANCAP rating due to below-average adult occupant (79%) and vulnerable road user (63%) protection, along with a 63 percent score for its safety assist systems, the facelifted Palisade needed to bolster its overall safety offerings.

On paper, the updated SUV should improve its scores with Hyundai adding reverse AEB (for the Highlander), AEB with front junction assist, and front centre airbag to address concerns.

Hyundai Palisade 2023-5 — For 2023 the Palisade is safer than before

Additionally, the Elite is fitted with the same driver assistance suite as before including adaptive cruise control, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and auto high-beam.

The 214kW/355Nm direct-injection petrol V6 will continue as the more affordable of two engines, though due to right-hand-drive packaging constraints it is only available with front-wheel drive.

Hyundai Australia also offers a 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder – also used in the Santa Fe – hooked up to all four of the Palisade’s 20-inch alloy wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Pricing for the new Palisade is yet to be finalised, however with the added safety, technology, and cabin plushness – along with a general upward pricing trend in the automotive industry – expect an increase over the outgoing car, likely from $65-70K before on-road costs for the Elite V6 and up to $80K for the Highlander AWD.