Hyundai Namibia expects the enhanced 2023 Palisade SUV with fresh new exterior and interior design cues, new infotainment and safety features, and advanced driver assistance systems, to be available locally within the next two to three weeks. Both the 7-seater and 8-seater derivatives of this eagerly-anticipated SUV are expected to retail at approximately N$1.1 million.
“The new Hyundai Palisade has been given a fresh design appeal and features worthy of Hyundai’s flagship SUV,” said Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “The 2023 Palisade is now, more than ever, a perfect luxury family vehicle for daily use as well as memory-making road trips. The design, fit and finish of the Palisade are of a very high
standard”.
The Palisade’s range consists of the 7-seater R2.2 Elite and the 8-seater R2.2 Elite – both equipped with Hyundai’s H-Trac All-Wheel Drive system and a frugal 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers its power via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 Palisade has undergone several design treatments that give it a premium, bold appearance. These include a new front and rear bumper fascia; a new front grille; new headlamps and daytime running lights; and a new multi-spoke alloy wheel design.
The design of the 2023 Palisade conveys dignified refinement with clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV. The wider, cascading black chrome grille contains rugged parametric shield elements for a premium appearance.
The headlight signature features new vertically connected LED composite lights that frame the grille, creating a sharp-edged, technical appeal.
New, 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels fill the wheel openings for a premium flagship presence. New detailing on the lower front skid plate element further conveys a rugged demeanour. The powerful, extended hood profile creates an impressive road presence, while bold C-pillars and panoramic side glass graphics convey generous third-row spaciousness. The enhanced rear view emphasises a wide, stable stance via vertical LED taillamps and lower fascia skid plate details.
This design has aerodynamic benefits as well, with specific design cues that include a sharply angled A-pillar, rear spoiler side garnish, an optimised front cooling area with an extended internal air guide, aero underside panels, and rear wheel aero deflectors.
Hyundai’s designers and engineers have also enhanced the driving and ride experience in the 2023 Palisade with new luxury and utility features. Among them are a new instrument panel, driver’s instrument gauge cluster and audio interface design; a new steering wheel design; new seating surfaces and materials; and second-row armrest angle adjusters (in the 7-seater derivative).
The infotainment system and technological features have been thoroughly upgraded. It includes a wider high-definition infotainment display screen (with a split-screen function); enhanced USB-C ports replace USB-A ports (with quicker cell phone charging up to 3 amps); enhanced wireless device charging (from 5W to 15W); enhanced dynamic voice recognition; an Infinity 12-speaker sound system; and new customisable user settings.
Furthermore, two Bluetooth devices can now be connected to the infotainment system at the same time. A Quiet Mode setting lets rear passengers rest or sleep, while the front-seat occupants can listen to music, radio or podcasts. Rear air conditioner settings can also be controlled from the display screen in front. Alternatively, second-row passengers have their own climate control settings panel, with buttons for seat-warming or seat-cooling which has been added in the 2023 Palisade.
Palisade power comes from a R2.2 turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 142 kW maximum power at 3 800 r/min, and torque peaks at 440 Nm between 1 750 and 2 750 r/min.
The frugal turbodiesel, with an optimum real-life fuel consumption figure of 8,2 litres/100 km, passes the power to the HTRAC four-wheel-drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission which constantly stays on the maximum torque band.
The Palisade is extremely quiet on the road, with generous under-hood insulation, special sound-deadening carpets and powertrain tuning that delivers smooth, linear response.