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If it is felt that the "small crossover year" has been repeated in the past few years, then 2019 is quickly becoming the "three-row SUV year". A large number of new sheet metal parts with familiar names began to impact dealers, and many promising new models entered family-style competition. The best of them? This 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Although next-generation vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander may have stronger visibility, if you are buying a new kinschlepper, this unique-looking crossover should be very close to your consideration list.

Before you ask, yes, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride share the underlying components of the structure and power system, and when you read this article, the model also entered the exhibition hall. Despite being cousins ​​of companies who share invisible things and many smart technologies, these SUVs look completely different, and they actually feel that they are also aimed at different buyers. 

Although Kia's telluride is handsome in a more upright traditional mold, the designers of Palisade have no sense of security at all. Frankly speaking, I found that the crocodile eye front end of this car takes some time to get used to-this is different from my reaction to other recent modern SUVs, from Santa Fe to Kona. However, with the proliferation of other models, I found that I quickly got used to their unusual grille shape and novel split/stacked front lighting. In fact, I started to like seeing them on the street very much. I expect Palisade will do the same in the short term, and as my week of testing progresses, I even begin to appreciate the appearance of this model.

The fondness for familiar things may not only be because Palisade pays more attention to details and overall shape, the easier it is for the eyes to see. This is because this car has been carefully designed and seamlessly designed to win your favor in a way that suits your busy family life. More importantly, Palisade is luxurious enough in the limited decoration of the whole ship, so that Hyundai Genesis dealers who still don't have SUV can envy it.

First of all, you should know that despite being classified as medium-sized, 2020 Palisade is still big. Bigger than any Hyundai before it, including the outgoing Santa Fe XL, and the short-lived Veracruz that you might have to remember on Google. The Palisade is mounted on a new platform, and its size allows it to compete with the backbone of market segments such as Explorer and Highlander, Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas and Subaru Ascent. (Note: it is still 7 inches shorter than leviathan Chevrolet Traverse.) If you are familiar with Santa Fe XL, you will know that this new Palisade is significantly more powerful in every respect. Its wheelbase has been increased by 4 inches, and the overall span has been increased by 3 inches. It is 2.4 inches high and 3.6 inches wide.

Whether you are considering the basic front-wheel drive Palisade SE ($31,550 plus $1,045 shipping) or the top HTRAC all-wheel drive limited edition ($46,400 plus shipping), the power comes from a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission , Can produce 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. If this combination of chassis and powertrain has a clear characteristic, it is smoothness. The power output of the Palisade is predictable and simple, and the beatable stop-start system works low-key enough that you may just need to turn it on.

This dark cabin color does not explain the luxury of this Palisade.

What needs to be clear is that no matter which driving mode setting you choose, this is not a sports crossover, whether it is behavior or demeanor. However, since the function of a three-row SUV is often similar to that of a minivan of the 21st century, you may be more concerned with avoiding straw overflow than with corner carving ability or 0 to 60 times. In other words, I estimate that the latter is about 7.5 seconds, and can dial flexible throttle response, dial flexible throttle response when selecting sports, more determined transmission shift and Habit steering feel. In addition, unlike Kia’s Telluride, Palisade is equipped with paddle shifters to enhance manual control-which can be used to summon the engine to brake or prepare to pass quickly when going downhill.

My $47,605 delivery limited edition is equipped with the optional AWD ($1,700), which can transfer up to 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels. Since my driving took place in midsummer, unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the system in snow conditions (even in downpour), but it ran silently and obediently throughout the week. 

Fuel economy is completely competitive, but it is also completely unobtrusive for this level. The EPA estimates that 19 miles per gallon city, 26 miles of highway and 22 miles of FWD model. AWD models are like my limited list in 19 cities, 24 highways, and 21 cities. Based on my tests, these numbers seem to be achievable. At least for now, there are no hybrid options like Highlander and Explorer to improve fuel efficiency. 

Although it is not a heavy-duty drilling rig, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade has a strong towing capacity. Standard gearbox cooler, electronic swing control, and trailer pre-wiring mean you only need a good hitch and trailer with built-in brakes to tow 5,000 pounds. Limited models like this have an auto-leveling rear air suspension, which is another nice feature for load towing.

Palisade's ground clearance is less than 8 inches, but it is not an off-road vehicle. The fire trails to the Cub Scout campsite, the evil blizzards, and anything that suburban life might bring to you are great, but if you need more features, you will need a body-framed vehicle. (Remind me to tell you the time when my co-pilot stranded the prototype Palisade to its axis in the sand outside of Seoul.)

Quilted nappa leather and micro suede headliner-this limited edition has no label and feels like a luxury.

Three-row crossovers are all about carrying capacity and comfort, and Palisade offers the same products as any product in its market segment. All seats provide a good space, even in the third row, it can be easily entered with one key, and the size is moderate, even a full-size adult can climb back there. The seats can accommodate 7 or 8 people, and in the top limited edition models seen here, these seats are covered in rich quilted Nappa leather. Both the front and second rows of seats have heating and cooling functions. The second-row seats are particularly good because they are raised to provide better forward visibility, and the roof-mounted HVAC ducts have cleverly distributed ducts to suppress uncomfortable direct airflow.

Unlike telluride, modern cars have a button-by-wire shifter. I tend to think these things are fancy, and I prefer the intuitiveness of traditional PRNDL shifting, but Palisade's device performs well with this type of selector. It allows a large space under the floating center console to hold wallets and tissue boxes. In fact, Palisade has a lot of storage space, a bunch of cup holders, USB ports (including some cleverly installed on the back of the second-row passenger seat) and so on. 

If I have a major complaint about the cabin, it is the main cup holder. They have spring-loaded retractable brackets that can be folded to get more small room space. This is good in principle, but these cup holders are not adjustable and cannot adapt well to drinks of different sizes. Picky? Maybe. However, in terms of the convenience of a family-centric car, this is an annoying and not trivial design error that competitors don't have. Other missing features include available Wi-Fi hotspots and rear seat entertainment, although today, tablets are cheaper, more versatile, and less obsolete.

The intuitive 10.25-inch touch screen can be used for higher decorations.

Otherwise, Palisade provides a typical cabin, loaded with first-class materials, especially in the limited decoration, it also has such details, such as the micro suede canopy surrounding the dual-element skylight, Harman Kardon premium audio, Electric folding third row (a rare level) and excellent head-up display. The biggest upgrade may be from the low-end 8-inch infotainment touch screen to a 10.25-inch widescreen. All Palisade consoles are intuitive and have standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration functions, but a larger display is better, and is equipped with dual-source Bluetooth and a reconfigurable fully digital instrument panel.      

I even suggest that in this high-content limited edition interior, the Palisade feels as good as any Acura RDX, Buick Encore, Infiniti QX60 or Lexus RX 350L, and has smarter and easier-to-use cab technology than them. Everyone. Even in its most expensive form, Palisade is not only good value for money, it is almost a real bargain.

There is also a lot of cargo space. One of the main sins of many three-row crossovers is that when every seat is occupied, there is no other space. The old Santa Fe XL felt guilty about it, but Hyundai has clearly recognized its mistakes. Palisade provides a useful 18 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row, with more than 45 cubic feet of back folding. Put down the second row of seats and you have more than 86 cubes available.

Behind the third row are 18 cubic feet and 45 cubic feet. The trunk is stowed, or more than 86 cubic feet, and the two rows are laid flat.

As you would expect from a family vehicle, Palisade is equipped with a large number of safety features. BCA, RCCA, ROA, LKA, DAW, SEA, HDA, ABS, ESC, TCS, BA, VSM, TPMS, SRS (with OCS)-Palisade's abbreviations on the specification sheet have more space or patience to explain Needless to say, even the basic SE models are equipped with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and rear parking sensors. Palisade is also equipped with some other advanced driver assistance systems, including 360-degree camera coverage, rear occupant alert (so you won’t accidentally leave Junior or Rover behind), rear intersection alert and blind spot warning-I hope to be A feature of the standard. 

There are even some unexpected safety watchdogs, including a more powerful ultrasonic occupant detector, capable of sending warnings to the driver’s mobile phone through Blue Link telematics, and safety exit assistance (to prevent opening of oncoming vehicles) Door) and special skill for the blind-the on-site observation system, when the turn signal is activated, displays the rear camera in the instrument cluster. The limited edition model also comes with a smarter version of the base model's intelligent cruise control hardware, a hands-on system that combines centering in the lane, and a front camera that reads the speed limit signs and adjusts the speed accordingly. For this type of vehicle, this is an impressive number of gears.

With such a good modern version, imagine how good the Genesis version will be.

If you think this Korean-made utility is worth the money, you will understand this. But you may not realize the overall performance and fun of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. This is not only one of the best new crossovers launched this year, but also one of the best crossovers on the market, full stop. 

Naturally, Hyundai could not keep it a secret for so long-Genesis's Palisade GV80 SUV is right in front of them.