mmarshall

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/palisade/...lisade;image;;

After a couple-week wait from when I did earlier static-inspections of both the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, I finally got a chance to test-drive a Palisade today. The big Hyundai/Genesis dealership was at had several Palisades in stock, unsold, and, for the test-drive, I chose a Gray SE AWD model that, at $34,775 list seemed somewhat of a bargain for the price, though some of that bargain-price is muted by the fact that the dealership is asking full-list for it (which is to surprising on a popular new SUV). Rather than try to link a new thread to two or more earlier ones, I'll just do a separate test-drive thread here and briefly include a brief summary of both of my earlier inspection(s).

The Telluride and Palisade, of course, are (more or less) corporate twins, done on the same platform/chassis/drivetrain, although they have different interiors, dash, and outside trim/styling for front and rear ends. I general, inside and out, I liked the looks and materials of the Palisade better....it had what I thought was somewhat classier styling. There also seemed to be less of a visual-shock, style-wise, between the entry-level and upmarket versions of the Palisade. The Telluride, especially inside, seemed to be more of a jump between the cheapish base and top-level SX versions...though the trim on the SX versions was nice. Both the Telluride and Palisade look substantially smaller up close, in real life, than they do in pictures and ads. I don't know if this is a result of the camera lens, camera-angles, or just an optical-illusion from the styling, but the ads make one think that these are (borderline) full-size SUVs when they are actually closer to mid-size. Both of them have third-row seats, though, and, while crossovers, are clearly not intended to be part of the CUV (small/cute SUV) class. But these are still definitely family-machines, any way you look at it. Though still better than average in several areas, neither the Telluride or the Palisade seemed quite as solidly-built as previous recent Kia and Hyundai products. Perhaps the corporation, after a number of years of top-notch workmanship and hardware (and rising prices) on their vehicles as well, is starting to feel some pinch, and a need to cut costs. Still, it is a relatively minor issue, and both have material quality and workmanship that is comparable to, or better, than that of many of their competitors.

As aforementioned, for the test-drive itself, I chose a base-level Palisade that seemed a bargain at its $34,775 price, though it included almost on options or accessories. When I got in, for instance, I had to adjust my seat with a couple of manual pump-levers and a slide/pull-bar. That's fine for one person, but something to think about if you are going to have more than one driver getting in and out regularly......might as well just pay a little more and get an upmarket version with power seats and/or memory-function. The cloth drivers' seat itself, though, is extremely comfortable, and fits the shape of my torso and rump perfectly, even with seat-padding that, like on most Korean-designed vales, is a little firmer than I'd like. The base-level Palisade has nice tall 18" 60-series tires that help smooth out the ride a little...but not as much as I expected (more on that in a minute).

On the SE version, start the 3.8L normally-aspirated V6 (it is standard on all versions of the Palisade and Telluride, a real feather in the cap of both companies) with a dated-style key, fob, and side-mounted ignition switch on the steering column. Want push-button? You'll have to move up to another trim level or a special package, but I actually like the dated key-setup, for several reasons. Still, it's nice to have a standard V6...I'm not a big fan of turbo fours. This, however, is not a particularly powerful V6 for its size, with 262 ft-lbs. of torque, but that's enough for most normal driving needs. Besides, the main advantage of an engine like this is refinement, not power.....and, in that area, it does not disappoint.

Neither does the standard Shift-Tronic 8-speed automatic, whose shifts seemed smooth, well-spaced, and instantaneous/lightning-quick shifts, with no slip or hesitation all between gears. It felt almost like one of VW's original superb, smooth twin-clutch auto-manuals in its operation. Park/Drive/Reverse functions are controlled by large, well-marked square buttons on the console.....even a monkey would have a hard time mismanaging them.

The rest of the SE's road manners, though, varied from nice to not-so-nice. The steering response was fairly quick for an SUV this size, but the steering itself had a light rubbery feel, and there was noticeable body roll despite the rather firm suspension. Ride comfort was OK, but not as silky a I had expected from the 60-series tires.....perhaps the suspension needed some firmness to accommodate seven people in its three-row seats. The ride, however, seemed to smooth out a little as the tires and suspension/shock-fluid warmed up on the road, though it was a fairly typical hot D.C. summer day as it was, with a little less humidity than usual. Road noise level, though not obtrusive, was noticeable, especially on rough or coarse asphalt pavement. Wind noise, as on most modern vehicles (and, especially, with the relatively tight standards of Hyundai/Kia workmanship/materials) was well-muted. Drive-modes, which includes a number of settings for both good and bad weather, is controlled by a rotary-**** on the console, very smooth but a little sensitive in its operation...you have to be careful to twist/align it lightly and carefully, when a light for each function will show. The Sport function seemed to raise the transmission shift-points some, but little else...the ride, to me at least, didn't feel any firmer. The Eco function also didn't seem to do much but lower the transmission shift-points a little for better economy. Normal is the default setting, and probably where most drivers will leave it most of the time, though there are a couple of others, including one for snow which limits torque starting up from rest...and, of course, the AWD drive helps out there.

And, there are a couple of quirks in the electronics that I personally found annoying, though other persons may not necessary be bothered by them. Chief among them is the lane-drift feature, which, to my tastes, is WAY over-sensitive and is constantly tugging at the steering wheel when you are trying to drive yourself. I finally said the heck with it, and shut the feature off....a button on the under left side of the dash. Then, there is the programming of the the Heat/Vent/AC system, which, even in Manual-Control mode, also has a mind its own. The A/C button, which turns the compressor on and off with a small blue light, will only work in certain settings with vent/levels or outside/recirculated air, and some vents will not operate at all on certain heat/AC settings. I don't know who designed the programming on this system, but IMO it is a mess. Yes, it's true that many vehicles automatically switch from recirculate to outside air when the windshield defrost is on (that's a safety-feature to keep the interior of the windshield from fogging up from recirculating the same interior humidity), but, otherwise, they get by without this complex electronic guessing-game. I was generally pleased with the brakes, which were reasonably effective, and had a well-placed brake pedal which did not interfere much with my big size-15 shoes moving from the gas to the brake and getting caught on the edge of the pedal, like it does on some vehicles.

Anyhow, though, quirks aside, the Palisade SE is a pretty nice vehicle, though it could be a little nicer in some areas. I'd recommend getting an upmarket version, with the power seats, if frequent re-adjustment of the driver's seat is going to be an issue...such as with a husband and wife often alternating as the drive. Otherwise, if you have 35K to spend and want a well-built, mid-to-large-size SUV with one of the best standard factory warranties in the business, consider one.

And, as Always, Happy-Car-Shopping.

MM

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Think I figured out what I dislike about the Palisade vs the Telluride. It's that 'silver' colored grill outline. The white exterior really hides it. This picture makes the Palisade look more attractive IMO

Toys4RJill

Good review. Seems like you connected quite well this vehicle.

In real life they do look smaller than the pics. It is just the way they are set up in the images for ads.

What was particularly not solidly built?

mmarshall

Thanks. I connected a little better with it than to the Telluride....which is unusual, as I usually have preferred recent Kia vehicles to those from Hyundai....particularly the Optima, Sportage, Cadenza, and K900.

Yes, a lot of reviewers and commenters have mentioned that, not just me, so it must not just be something with my own set of eyes.

Like I said, still not bad by any means, just not quite the same solid feel to the hardware, switches, trim, and door closings than on some other recent Kia/Hyundai vehicles have looked at. But still noticeably better than the Ford Explorer I recently reviewed, which I was disappointed with.

mmarshall

Hyundai apparently agrees with you. They use that picture, BTW, as the feature-shot on the Palisade's official website...the website I provided above.

mmarshall

Here's Alex's take on it. He agrees with several of my points....its more refined nature vs. the Telluride, how nice it is to have a standard V6, and how sensitive the lane-center steering corrections are.

He gives some good advice for parents with kids, and how easy or difficult this vehicle to accomodate different types of child-seats vs. its competition. That's something, of course, that I'm generally not in a position to do.

SW17LS

Beat me to it!

Agreed on the colors. I like it in white, silver and grey which matches in with that grille better.

I might get a chance to drive one today actually, we'll see.

Toys4RJill

We took a look at one of these this morning at Hyundai.

I truly do not get the not solid part of things. It felt like every other Hyundai you can get which is quite competitive. There are things that I do like and things I do not like from a personal taste.

I will say, this new model feels closer to what an SUV is compared to what a cross-over is. The seating position feels more truck like than it does a cross over. I felt right a home in the driver’s seat after getting out of my 4Runner. Dash and front window feels more upright, which I like.

A good thing that Hyundai did was have the moonroof open outside which adds to the headroom in both front and rear.

Materials inside were very nice. Colors and contrast where very refreshing compared to the sea of black I always see. I like Hyundai’s shade of grey and as it is on the lighter side closer to white.

I also like the gear selector buttons. Makes sense with the design layout and more intimate feel of the middle console. I do like the black center console buttons and switches.

Seats are not bad. Interesting to see a rougher more grain like leather on the outside of the seat compared to the more smoother like perforated seat part.

What I am not a fan of is the metal looking buttons on the dash. It’s something Hyundai often does and I never cared for them, but at least they contrast to the buttons on the center console which are black. The center screen I neither like, nor dislike.

SW17LS

I agree for sure, it does feel more like a truck/real SUV than most crossovers, looks it from the outside too.

mmarshall

By "solid" I meant the feel of interior hardware, parts, and trim. Also, doors do not shut with quite as much of a thunk as with previous Hyundai products.

People sometimes criticize me and say I go overboard with comments like that, but I have a very sensitive feel for a vehicle's construction....it's almost a sixth sense. I have for many years, since I was first evaluating cars as a teen. That was among the things that impressed me with the pre-1990s Mercedes products, pre-Chris-Bangle BMWs, the Buick Verano, Genesis sedans, many Honda/Acura products over the years (though some had transmission issues) and recent Hyundai/Kia vehicles, before the Palisade/Telluride.

Did you do a test-drive, BTW?


Yes, the two-tone black/light-gray interior is much nicer than the solid black.....but IMO that is the case with most vehicles.

mmarshall

Did you try the cloth seats on the base SE model? I found them actually the most comfortable. They fit my frame/torso almost perfectly,although the seat-padding, in the Kia/Hyundai tradition, was a little firmer than I'd prefer.

tex2670

Like most cars, chances are, this is leatherette, and not leather. "Leather Trimmed Seats" and "Leather Seating Surfaces" are buzzwords that many surfaces that don't touch your body are leatherette.

Toys4RJill

Yes true. I just say leather, as I don't care anymore if things are faux or if there is real option. I do think I heard there is a nappa option.

Toys4RJill

No. Just fully loaded models available.

mmarshall

According to Hyundai, it is not Leatherette. Cloth comes on the base SE model, leather (not leatherette) is an option on the SEL, and premium Nappa Leather is standard on the Limited.

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/palisade/...es%20&%20specs