Is the 2023 Hyundai Palisade really different?

We look at the first Hyundai Palisade against this latest version.

 When you hear the name Palisade, you think of a place, somewhere in North America. Why? Well, Hyundai has always named their SUVs after a city or place in North America. Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz. Yes, there is Kona, but that is a crossover. So, when the Hyundai Palisade was launched in late 2018, we went online to find out which city it was named after as the name was unfamiliar. 

Well, this time, Hyundai product planners had used the name of ‘kind of wall’. Yes, it is named after a defensive wall made from iron or wooden stakes, or tree trunks and used as a defensive structure or enclosure.

The Hyundai Palisade arrived as the brand’s flagship 3-row premium SUV which was designed on an all-new SUV chassis. It does not share anything with the Hyundai Santa Fe. 

This new upright SUV has a surprising 0.33 coefficient of drag as it has a well designed A-pillar angle, a rear spoiler side garnish, an optimized front cooling area with an extended internal air guide system, plus aero underbody panels working with rear wheel aero deflectors. 

The Palisade is powered by an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-litre V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine working with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. This 3.8-litre petrol engine produces an estimated 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm.

 Now, just a week ago on the 14th of April, Hyundai unveiled a facelifted Palisade. After 4 years of sales success in North America and Europe, it was time for a refresh. The biggest change, which is a good move, is the front nose treatment, where now there is a wider cascading grille with revised lighting. Changes are also in the rear light treatment and bumper height. Hyundai has added new 20-inch wheels and some revised aero-spoilers around the vehicle.

Hyundai has also revised the interior starting with a new ‘Ergo’ drivers seat for added comfort and rear passengers are also looked after with wing-out headrests and seat ventilation (this is a first for this segment). 

The driver now has a full digital rear view mirror and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system to prevent the driver from leaving a sleeping child in the rear seats and walking away from the parker Palisade.  Plus, there is a Hyundai Digital Key that works with your iPhone, Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy models. 

To ensure the Palisade is even more noticed on the road, Hyundai has added a new colour option. It is Robust Emerald. 

The earlier palisade was sold in Malaysia from a price of RM 328,888 for the 2.2L Diesel to RM 358,888 for the 3.8L Petrol version. No news yet on the arrival of this model in Malaysia, but with its popularity overseas and its lackluster demand here, you will probably see this in our showrooms early next year at the earliest.

Also read: The future of mobility looks ultra-automated with Hyundai