Big news in every sense from Hyundai Australia, which has shown first images of its 2022 Palisade.
Configured with seating for seven or even eight occupants, the Palisade will next year be available in three models. For 2022 the range expands from the previous two grades to incorporate a new Elite mid-level variant, which slots between revised Palisade (entry model) and Highlander variants.
Hyundai launched the Palisade in New Zealand to expand its SUV range with a top-end luxury offering and the Australian images for 2022 show a gentle refresh of the current version.
Quiet and lined with high-quality materials, the Palisade cabin will seat up to eight people and carry about 0.5 cubic metres of cargo. All three seating rows will take medium-sized passengers in comfort.
Crash-test scores have been superb, and every Palisade has automatic emergency braking.
The Palisade entry variant now features wireless smartphone charging (Qi standard) and an 8.0-inch multimedia system (in place of a 10.25-inch Infinity audio unit) in an appealingly priced eight-seater range-opener.
The new Palisade Elite variant is also brimming with extra features, compared with the outgoing 2021 range-opener, and is available in seven or eight-seater configuration.
The Elite features a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia unit with satellite navigation and 12-speaker Infinity Premium Audio, heated front seats, a single-panel glass sunroof, rear privacy glass, a smart power tailgate, and wireless smartphone charging.
There are also bright LED lights front and rear and stylish 20-inch alloy wheels.
The flagship 2022 Palisade Highlander has body-coloured bumpers and side cladding, complemented by 18-inch alloy wheels (Palisade) or 20-inch wheels for the Palisade Elite and Highlander. The top of the range version is available for the first time with a luxurious black Nappa leather interior cabin in addition to the previous beige and burgundy offerings.
The continuing powertrain line-up sees each grade offered with a choice of 3.8-litre V6 petrol 2WD with 217kW and 355Nm, or the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD with 147kW and 445Nm, both with an eight-speed automatic.
Hyundai strongly markets the Palisade toward the family market; some specification for the New Zealand market may differ.
