Hyundai Palisade 2021 review: 8-seat petrol

There’s no denying the Palisade’s size. To fit eight people it needs to be big and Hyundai's done what it can to jazz up the very large proportions with an equally big grille and vertical headlights.

Hyundai's done what it can to jazz up the very large proportions with an equally big grille and vertical headlights.

Apart from that, it does feel quite unadorned. With a basic shape and angles. It’s not particularly fabulous looking, relying on sheer bulk to make an impression. 

Inside is impressive for an eight-seater. Vans can be quite basic but this SUV has all the mod cons to make you feel good on the road. Even in the base model you get leather seats and a leather steering wheel, both feeling good to touch.

There’s a well designed centre console area with silver accents that is streamlined and simple. Everything is clearly set out and easy to use, making it functional as well as stylish.

One of the best things about the Palisade is the way it drives. I test drove the petrol version which has a 3.8-litre, six-cylinder engine, and the remarkable thing is that it doesn’t feel heavy on the take-off.

There’s not really any lag, which you would normally get in a seven-seat SUV, so that’s pretty great. The other thing is, it doesn’t feel too floaty, the steering is good and the car has nice precision while turning.

The petrol version has a 3.8-litre, six-cylinder engine.

This petrol version is a FWD and if you’re looking for an AWD you can choose the diesel variant. 

This means that even though it’s a giant car, parking is not too bad, as long as you pick a park big enough. Even at the shopping centre it sticks out as one of the largest in the parking lot. There’s a good reverse parking camera with line guides to help you direct it into place. 

It does use a bunch of fuel in the petrol version - a claimed 10.7L/100km and I averaged 15.8L over the two weeks of driving on city roads and highways. 

One thing that is quite different to every other car I’ve driven is the lack of gear shifter. There are buttons for gears which work instantly so there’s no hesitating when you change gears. 

Yes, it feels less like you’re driving the car, but I think we all gave that up when we gave up manuals, so this could be the next logical step.

There’s a large 10.25-inch multimedia screen that looks very 2021, and is in line with all the competitor seven-seat SUV offerings. 

It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which give you instant access to your phone's main apps for navigation and listening to music and podcasts. There are 12 speakers in the Palisade as standard, so the sound is good.

There’s a large 10.25-inch multimedia screen that looks very 2021.

The driver’s seat is power adjustable but not the front passenger seat on this model. There are three USB ports in the front and four more throughout the car. 

For storage, you’ll get two cupholders in the front plus a small, deep storage spot in the centre (probably where the gear shifter would have gone!) which was a game changer for me. Other car companies should take note. 

This little storage box makes so much difference and fits keys, sunglasses, phones, other cups, whatever you want it to. Then there’s a shelf underneath the centre console where I popped the cake I made for Christmas lunch to safely transport it there.

The driver’s seat is power adjustable but not the front passenger seat.

It was the perfect size, plus there's a large centre storage bin and bottle holders in the doors, so there’s lots of storage. 

Second row passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest, plus two in each door, which means six cupholders in the middle row and there are directional climate control vents. 

The Hyundai Palisade base model costs $60,000, before on road costs. Fuel consumption is a claimed 10.7L/100km and I averaged 15.8L/100km with lots of suburban driving.

It’s covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Servicing is recommended every 12 months/15,000km and the pricing is capped. This petrol version costs $399 per service over the five years. 

The Hyundai Palisade base model costs $60,000, before on road costs.