Hyundai Palisade vs Volkswagen Id.4

What's the difference?

The new hybrid powertrain for the Hyundai Palisade is a welcome addition for families looking for an efficient three-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a brick and looks good at the school pick up or client lunch. Overall, the Palisade remains a solid, all-round package that deserves praise and the eighth seat is an added bonus.

It’s been a long wait for the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, but it’s one that’s paid off. It's an electric SUV that delivers on the essentials - comfort, smart features, and an effortless driving experience. But it also keeps charging times, range, and running costs firmly in the 'very liveable' camp. The ID.4 Pro manages to feel polished and personable, which is a great combination.

The Hyundai Palisade leans heavily into a more American look. It’s unapologetically big and boxy, with a squared-off silhouette that makes no attempt to hide its size. Up front, there’s a bold grille flanked by oversized vertical LED light signatures, while the rear mirrors that same stacked lighting design. The bonnet is long, the proportions are broad and everything about it is geared towards presence.

The dark-tinted windows, clean body panels and metallic accents gives it a polished edge. It’s the kind of SUV that feels as much at home at a client lunch as it does in the school pick-up line.

Inside, the cabin is genuinely spacious and even without a sunroof, it doesn’t feel closed in. The dashboard has a softly curved, vertical layout that keeps things feeling open rather than bulky.

Thankfully, Hyundai hasn’t gone all in on touch controls and there are still plenty of physical buttons to fiddle with. You’ve got dual 12.3-inch displays and a 14-speaker Bose sound system doing the heavy-lifting with the 'visual' tech side of things.

Thickly padded touchpoints and premium materials round out a cabin that's simply a pleasant space to spend time in.

The ID.4 Pro leans toward the pillowy end when it comes to exterior shape but it’s as cute as a button. Soft curves aren’t uncommon in this segment, and the overall effect is friendly yet grown-up.

A chrome accent strip running from the roof to the C-pillars adds interest, as do the matrix headlights, which look a bit like Transformer eyes. They’re adaptive too, so they put on a little light show when you start the car - a fun party trick.

Around the back, customisable rear light profiles will earn nods from the cooler kids.

Step inside and the cabin shines. Space is generous, and any 'cute' impressions fade fast as it’s clear this cabin means business.

Visually, it’s slick and considered, with premium materials like leather, suede, and synthetic trims setting the tone. There’s still a touch of Volkswagen fun, though. Look out for the Pause and Play icons on the brake and accelerator pedals.

It feels airy and open, especially with the panoramic sunroof option, and both displays are impressively sharp. You might expect a larger digital cluster, but the 5.3-inch instrument screen does a surprisingly good job, keeping things tidy and focused on the drive.

I'm also quite fond of the adjustable front armrests, which can be folded up and out of the way when not needed. A small touch, but it adds to the car’s flexible, family-friendly feel.

Practicality is one of the Hyundai Palisade’s strongest points, and it starts up front. The first row is properly cavernous and, unless you’re the Hulk, you won’t be knocking elbows with your passenger. The seats themselves are wide, deep and well cushioned, making them an easy place to spend a few hours on the road.

The second row continues that theme of space. It’s wide enough to comfortably fit three adults. I tested that with three friends over a weekend trip and no one complained. That said, the bench-style seat does mean less defined support. My nine-year-old pointed out he tends to slide around a bit and that the cushioning is on the firmer side.

Unsurprisingly, the third row is usable but with some compromise. You can fit three small kids or two adults, though legroom is tight unless you slide the second row forward.

Access to both rear rows is easy thanks to the wide door openings and relatively low step-in height, which makes a difference when you’re loading kids in and out.

Amenities across all three rows are well thought out. Up front, you’ve got a good mix of storage options like a large glovebox and centre console, two cupholders, two drink bottle holders, and a handy open shelf that’s ideal for a handbag or Saturday night's takeaway. Charging is taken care of by three USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad.

The second row gets four cupholders, a couple of bottle holders and map pockets, as well as a small drawer that's a good size for snacks or smaller devices. In the second row there’s also climate control, ceiling-mounted air vents and two USB-C ports.

Even the third row doesn’t feel like an afterthought. There are two USB-C ports, four cupholders, directional air vents, plus two ISOFIX points and two top-tether anchors for families juggling car seats.

Tech is easy to live with. The media system is intuitive, the touchscreen is responsive and you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside built-in navigation. Hyundai’s Bluelink app also allows for remote functions like pre-conditioning the cabin or checking the car’s location, which comes in handy more often than you’d think.

Boot space is another win. With the third row folded, you’ve got up to 712L to work with, and the flat loading area makes it easy to slide in prams, sports gear or a full grocery run. There’s also a bit of underfloor storage for smaller items, along with a full-size spare and a powered tailgate in this grade.

The front row offers plenty of room for two co-pilots to settle in without bumping elbows. The seat padding is softer than you’d usually expect from Volkswagen, and with the extendable under-thigh supports and added seat functions, the ID.4 Pro proves itself a seriously comfortable road-tripper.

In the back, space is generous, and my eight-year old appreciated the wide door openings and cushy seating. It’s best thought of as a very comfy space for two adults, with room for a third in a pinch.

That flat floor makes a noticeable difference for the middle passenger, giving them more legroom than usual. The 'two is best' idea also applies to child seats and while there are three top-tether anchor points, realistically, using more than two at once would be a squeeze. I had no trouble installing my booster this week, though it did block visibility out the back window.

Storage up front is a strong point, with a glove box, cupholders, bottle holders, and a generous centre console. The console houses the wireless charging pad, two USB-C ports, and a large cubby that swallowed gloves, snacks, and two pairs of glasses with cases which is perfect for keeping the cabin clutter-free.

Rear passengers are well looked after, too, with climate control, directional air vents, two USB-C ports, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, bottle holders in each door and map pockets. It’s all very family-friendly.

The 543L boot handled everything we threw at it this week. I like the adjustable floor height; set it higher to create a handy space for your charging cables, or lower it to maximise room. There’s also a hidden pocket under the floor for the tyre repair kit (no spare of any description).

You miss out on a frunk, but the powered tailgate and stretchy luggage net help keep things secure and easy to manage.

Tech-wise, it’s mostly intuitive. While my husband isn’t a fan of the touchpad climate and steering wheel controls, I find them pretty straightforward to use.

What does bug me, though, is the lack of built-in sat nav and wireless Apple CarPlay. I don’t like leaving my phone charging all the time, and even when you reconnect the cable, you have to manually restart CarPlay every time you get in. Hopefully that’s something Volkswagen irons out in a future update.

For Aussies, at the moment the Pro is the only variant offered in this new electric mid-size SUV. But a sportier GTX version is due soon, which will have the same dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up as the already available ID.5 GTX, a coupe-style EV SUV riding on the same platform.

A sharp before on-road costs price tag of $59,990 positions the Pro as a healthy rival to recently arrived BYD Sealion 7 Premium and long-standing favourite the Tesla Model Y Long Range, which start at $54,990 and $68,900, respectively.

The ID.4 Pro arrives with upgraded technology by way of a graphics facelift for the 12.9-inch media display that also sports easier-to-find widgets.

There’s a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster which keeps the cockpit driver-focused and can pull directions through from your phone navigation - which you’ll need to use as the Pro, disappointedly, doesn’t arrive with in-built sat nav. And that phone connection? Still wired.

However, the update now sees additional soft-touch points throughout the cabin with contrasting stitching on the dashboard.

Our test model has been fitted with a sexy tan and black leather and suede upholstery. Bougie extras like electric and heated front seats with massage function, a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof remind you that you're sitting within the semi-premium end of the segment.

Other features include keyless entry and start, matrix LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, soft-open door handles, four USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, two 12-volt sockets, three-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels and a powered tailgate. VW also throws in an at-home charging cable and an on-the-go Type 2 connector.

The Pro's equipment list is solid but some technology improvements could be made for the next update.

Under the bonnet, the Hyundai Palisade has made the full switch to hybrid, with the same powertrain offered across both trim levels. It pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor, sending power to all four wheels.

Combined outputs sit at 245kW and 460Nm, which is a noticeable step up from the outgoing V6 petrol and 2.2-litre diesel it replaces.

On the road, the six-speed automatic does a smooth job of working through the gears, and the hybrid system keeps things impressively quiet at lower speeds. You’ll still notice the transition when the petrol engine cuts in, but it’s not especially intrusive.

It also retains a braked towing capacity of 2000kg, which should be enough for smaller weekend toys.

The ID.4 Pro is fully electric and rear-wheel drive with a single motor on the rear axle producing 210kW and 545Nm. That supports a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 6.7 seconds, which feels satisfyingly swift for a mid-size SUV.

There’s instant torque for easy overtakes and the RWD keeps things balanced and composed. You also get a choice of drive modes to suit your style, and regenerative braking helps recover energy smoothly. It’s subtle, but effective enough to make city driving feel more efficient.

The new hybrid Hyundai Palisade has an official combined fuel cycle figure of just 6.8L/100km and a 72L fuel tank, giving this a theoretical driving range of just over 1000km, which is excellent for a big family mover. My real-world use, after doing a solid mix of open road and urban driving this week, is 7.7L/100km which is a decent result, especially given I’m not shy about utilising power!

The ID.4 Pro is fitted with an 82kWh lithium-ion battery and offers a WLTP driving range of up to 544km, which is impressive for the segment.

Official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) energy consumption is rated at 16.7kWh/100km, and around town, where regenerative braking works harder, you’re unlikely to feel any range anxiety.

If, like me, you do a lot of regional driving or longer trips, you might find yourself keeping a closer eye on the gauge. My real-world consumption sat closer to 20kWh/100km, which still leaves you with solid usable range, but it’s something to factor in.

Charging is straightforward, with a Type 2 CCS port that accepts up to 175kW on a DC fast charger and 11kW on AC.

Both figures are useful and on a fast charger you can expect a 10-80 per cent top-up in around 30 minutes which is quick enough to squeeze in a coffee break or snack stop, even with a kid in tow.

On the move, the Hyundai Palisade hybrid system feels like a worthwhile addition. Power delivery is smooth and there’s enough on tap to keep up with traffic without any stress. You’ll occasionally notice the transition between electric and petrol power, particularly when accelerating harder from a standstill, but it’s otherwise fairly well resolved.

Where the Palisade really shines is in comfort. It’s an easy cruiser, whether you’re on the highway or just doing the school run. The suspension strikes a nice balance as it’s well-cushioned without feeling overly soft, and there’s enough road feedback to stop it from feeling floaty. For something this size, body roll is also kept in check, so it doesn’t feel out of its depth on a winding road.

Around town, it’s just as easy to live with. The steering has a reassuring weight to it and feels responsive enough, while visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent. You sit high, with a clear view out the front and sides.

The only real quirk is that the regenerative braking can feel a little firm at lower speeds, particularly in stop-start traffic, and it takes a bit of adjustment to smooth things out. But it’s not a deal breaker.

Cabin noise is kept impressively low, even at highway speeds, making it easy to hold a conversation across all three rows, something my passengers appreciated on a recent weekend trip.

Despite its size, it’s not as intimidating to manoeuvre as it looks. The turning circle is a relatively tight 11.94 metres, and the 360-degree camera system does a lot of the heavy lifting when parking. You’re still aware of its footprint in tighter spaces, but it’s far from cumbersome.

The ID.4 Pro is simple to operate, and aside from the instant power delivery and lack of a traditional start/stop button, it behaves much like a combustion-powered car.

That makes it a great entry-point for anyone new to EVs because it's familiar, but has just enough electric quirk to keep things interesting.

I miss a true one-pedal driving experience in city traffic, but the set-up still works well. Regenerative braking isn’t particularly strong, but you can toggle between 'Drive' and 'B' mode, with the latter offering a bit more resistance. I’ve kept it in B mode most of the week as the extra feedback just feels nicer underfoot.

This week’s testing included winding mountain roads, regional backroads, as well as freeway stretches and the ID.4 handled it all with confidence. There’s enough precision in the corners to keep things fun, and it always feels well planted.

The suspension strikes a middle ground - not ultra-soft, but still comfortable. You’ll feel some of the sharper bumps, but most surfaces are smoothed out well, and the cabin stays quiet even at higher speeds. Ride comfort has clearly been a priority and it pays off.

From the driver’s seat, visibility could be better. The rear window is narrow, and the thick pillars don’t help, so I found myself relying quite a bit on the camera system when parking or manoeuvring.

That said, the ID.4’s size and clear 360-degree camera system make it incredibly user-friendly in tight spaces. Whether parallel parking or squeezing into small car parks, it isn't stressful to park.

The ID.4 Pro hasn’t yet been ANCAP rated for Australia, but it does carry a 2021 maximum five-star safety rating under ANCAP protocols for New Zealand variants.

It comes equipped with seven airbags, including a front centre bag, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features that make it feel reassuringly modern and family-focused.

Standouts in day-to-day use include side exit assist, blind-spot monitoring and one of the better adaptive cruise control systems I’ve experienced lately. The lane keeping aid, however, is a little over-eager at times, with some noticeable tugging at the wheel.

Other safety features include interior monitoring, driver attention alerts, and a full spread of collision avoidance tech including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear and front cross-traffic alert.

Parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and intelligent seatbelt reminders help make low-speed manoeuvres easier and safer. For families, there are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard rear seats and three top-tether anchor points across the second row.

Ownership for the Hyundai Palisade is fairly straightforward and competitive for the segment. It’s backed by Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which can be extended by a further two years if you service exclusively through the brand.

Servicing costs are also reasonable for a large SUV. You can pre-purchase a three-, four- or five-year plan, with the latter coming in at $2630, which stacks up well against similar rivals.

Intervals are set at every 12 months or 10,000km, and with more than 100 service centres across the country, access shouldn’t be an issue for most owners.

The ID.4 Pro comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is standard across the Volkswagen range, while the battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km, giving buyers a little extra peace of mind when it comes to long-term EV ownership.

Volkswagen also offers a 10-year capped-price servicing program, which is excellent for the segment.

The total cost comes to $2890 over the full term, and the service intervals are spaced every two years or 30,000km, whichever comes first.