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2021 Hyundai Palisade price and specs: Flagship SUV arrives

Hyundai's flagship SUV is here, set to deliver plenty of space and features for those who need it.


  • 2021 Hyundai Palisade to come in two variants
  • Petrol or diesel engine options, with front- or all-wheel drive
  • Up to eight seats, with features aimed at younger families
  • Priced from $60,000 to $75,000 plus on-road costs

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is due to land in Australia in the new year, positioned as a large SUV with more agreeable on-road driving dynamics and the convenience of up to eight seats.

Hyundai will give buyers the choice of two trim levels: the eight-seater Palisade (no badge), priced from $60,000 plus on-road costs, and the range-topping Palisade Highlander, available with either seven or eight seats and priced from $71,000 plus on-road costs.

Today's official announcement also confirms leaked information that surfaced a few weeks ago, pointing to base and Highlander grades, priced between $60,000 and $75,000 before on-road costs.

Each variant will be available with a choice of either a 217kW/355Nm 3.8-litre petrol V6 with front-wheel drive, or a 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with all-wheel drive. Both engines use Hyundai's own eight-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai says the petrol V6 uses 10.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, while the diesel uses 7.3L/100km.

The exterior enjoys the Korean brand's current design language, but ties it in with a body shape reminiscent of larger American SUVs. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels are standard – upped to 20-inch wheels for the Highlander, together with bi-LED headlights and tail-lights.

Inside, buyers get a choice of black leather with metallic-look trim and a knit headliner in the Palisade, while the Highlander gets burgundy or beige Nappa leather with beech wood-look trim and a suede headliner.

Occupants are greeted with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen featuring satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and multi-connection Bluetooth, which runs through a 12-speaker Infinity premium audio system.

Due to the expansive cabin, the Palisade also offers 'Driver Talk', which allows the driver to speak to second- and third-row occupants through the car's audio system.

Hyundai have also been mindful of little ones who might need a sleep, developing 'Quiet Mode' which mutes the rear speakers, and sets the front speakers to a low maximum volume. The driver also has the ability to set the air-conditioning for the rear occupants, as well as disabling the rear control panel.

Front occupants get wireless smartphone charging in the centre console, while second-row passengers have access to USB ports.

As well as three ISOFIX child seat restraints, the Palisade also features four top tether child seat anchor points in the seven-seat Highlander, and five anchor points in eight-seat configuration (all variants). The second-row of seats features one-touch folding to help with third-row loading.

Front occupants get to enjoy heated and ventilated power seats, while the driver gains a 7.0-inch LCD digital instrument cluster. The 10.25-inch, all-digital instrument cluster offered in overseas markets remains off-limits to Australian buyers.

A head-up display is also available in the Highlander variant.

On the Highlander, a blind-spot view monitor shows a live feed of the Palisade's left and right blind-spot zones within the instrument cluster when the indicator is engaged, as well as a surround view monitor with guidance provides a 360-degree birds-eye view when parking.

A dual-panel power sunroof and hands-free power tailgate are also standard on the Highlander.

The rear-view monitor also allows the rear camera feed to stay on during driving, providing a better view of the road, or helping the driver keep an eye on the trailer when towing up to 2200kg (rated). The trailer stability assist system also aids in safe towing.

Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite comes standard, featuring blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, high beam assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning with leaving vehicle departure alert, lane-keep assist, lane following assist, safe exit assist (on Highlander only), rear occupant alert, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.

On the road, Hyundai has retained the ride and handling tune offered with the Palisade in overseas markets – meaning no locally-developed tune, unlike most Hyundai models offered locally – though Hyundai's Australian engineers had input in its development.

Those who choose a diesel-powered Palisade will also gain Hyundai's 'HTRAC' all-wheel-drive system, which features electronic torque control between the front and rear axles, aiding grip in various driving conditions.

The vehicle is available in six paint options, including White Cream Mica, Timeless Black, Steel Graphite, Sierra Burgundy, Rain Forest, and Highlander-only Moonlight Cloud Mica.

The Hyundai Palisade comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and complimentary roadside assistance for the first 12 months.

2021 Hyundai Palisade Australian pricing

  • Palisade 3.8 petrol FWD auto – $60,000
  • Palisade 2.2 diesel AWD auto – $64,000
  • Palisade Highlander 3.8 petrol FWD auto – $71,000
  • Palisade Highlander 2.2 diesel AWD auto – $75,000

Note: All prices exclude on-road costs. Some overseas models pictured.


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Ben Zachariah

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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