Hyundai's Game-Changing Hybrid Palisade Arrives in Australia
Australian drivers have finally gotten their hands on Hyundai's revolutionary hybrid Palisade large SUV, marking a significant shift in the brand's approach to family vehicles. Launched exclusively in the premium Calligraphy trim, this sophisticated eight-seater (with an optional seven-seat configuration) represents Hyundai's commitment to combining luxury with environmental consciousness.
Priced from $89,900 before on-road costs, the hybrid Palisade positions itself as a flagship model that Hyundai Australia plans to expand in the future. The vehicle completely replaces the previous generation's 3.8-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines with an advanced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid all-wheel drive system featuring a dual-motor setup.
Power Meets Efficiency in New Hybrid System
The heart of the new Palisade is its innovative powertrain that delivers impressive performance figures. The 2.5-litre turbo hybrid system generates 245kW of power - significantly more than the previous model's 217kW - and 460Nm of torque, outperforming the old diesel's 440Nm.
What makes this system unique is Hyundai's first-ever use of a redesigned hybrid setup with two motors on the front axle, replacing the traditional transmission-mounted electric drive. This configuration promises both better performance and enhanced fuel efficiency, with the vehicle achieving a claimed 6.8 litres/100km in combined driving.
During real-world testing on a 320km round trip from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, the Palisade demonstrated its capabilities across various conditions. The best fuel economy achieved was 7.1L/100km on the highway return journey, while regional roads with some unsealed sections saw averages of around 8.7L/100km.
Luxury Interior and Advanced Technology
Step inside the Palisade Calligraphy and you're greeted by an environment that feels more like a luxury lounge than a family vehicle. The cabin features a clean, uncluttered design with premium materials throughout.
The driver enjoys an 18-way power adjustable seat with two-way lumbar support and cushion extension, while the entire cabin is dominated by a panoramic curved display combining a 12.3-inch digital cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen. A 12-inch head-up display projects key information onto the windscreen, though it can appear faint during daytime for those wearing polarised sunglasses.
Hyundai has incorporated several convenience features typically found in electric vehicles, including Stay Mode for powering climate control and infotainment with the engine off, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability with a 16 Amp household power outlet for charging devices.
The Palisade also introduces a digital key system, allowing owners to lock, unlock and start the vehicle using just their smartphone or smartwatch for a truly keyless experience.
Family-Focused Practicality
As a genuine family vehicle, the Palisade doesn't compromise on practicality. Both eight and seven-seat configurations are available, with the seven-seater option (adding $1000) featuring plush captain's chairs in the second row that electronically adjust to facilitate access to the third row.
Remarkably, both rear rows fold down completely flat to maximise luggage space, offering cargo volumes of 300/712/2081 litres with second and third-row seats in various configurations. The third row even includes heated outboard seats and powered operation.
Storage solutions abound with six 100W USB-C charging ports, ten cupholders, six bottle holders, and a UV-C LED sterilising compartment for keeping personal items germ-free. A full-size spare alloy wheel is mounted underneath the vehicle to preserve cargo space.
Refined Driving Experience
Behind the wheel, the hybrid Palisade delivers a remarkably quiet and composed driving experience. Even at highway speeds of 110km/h, wind noise is barely noticeable thanks to increased glass thickness, interior insulation and 21-inch sound-absorbing tyres with foam layers.
The transition between electric and petrol power is seamless, with the vehicle operating in EV mode during start-up and low-speed driving. Several drive modes are available, including Sport mode that transforms the instrument cluster to red and delivers EV-like responsiveness.
Hyundai has specifically tuned the Palisade's ride, handling and steering for Australian road conditions as part of its global development program. The result is a large SUV that feels surprisingly agile and easy to manoeuvre.
The Palisade hybrid comes with Hyundai's seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, provided all services are completed at authorised dealers. Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 10,000km, with costs ranging from $397 to $674 over the first five services.
While ANCAP rating is pending, Hyundai expects a five-star result by year's end, building on the outgoing model's safety credentials. The vehicle features eight airbags, including curtain airbags extending to the third row, and a comprehensive suite of Hyundai SmartSense safety technologies.
