Always finding your car full of your kids and their schoolmates? Hyundai may have the answer for you.
- Spacious in all three rows of seating
- Incredibly comfortable
- Well-priced and equipped
- Powerful engine can overwhelm the front wheels
- No 360-degree parking camera at this trim/price level is criminal
- Inner-city folk will find its size hard to wield
Introduction
Cars like the 2022 Hyundai Palisade are made for busy families.
If you’re the type to religiously pick up your kids from school, sometimes their friends at the same time, or have simply nurtured the common pigeon pair, it’s the ideal vehicular partner.
With its American design influence creating a spacious, wide, eight-seater cabin, this rather large SUV actually straddles the people mover segment more than you first might think.
The pseudo-people-moving 2022 Hyundai Palisade is priced from $60,000 before on-roads in entry-level model, seven-seat form. It’s powered by a 3.8-litre petrol V6 engine that sends power exclusively to the front wheels.
The same self-titled variant is offered with an all-wheel drive, 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel powertrain, but it costs $64,000 before on-roads, or $4000 more than the petrol.
As a side note, each of the three Hyundai Palisade trims (Palisade, Palisade Elite and Palisade Highlander) is offered with the choice of front-drive petrol and all-wheel-drive diesel.
Next up in the three-tier model range is our test car – the 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite. Alongside the aforementioned driveline choice, you can also pick between seven- or eight-seat configurations, with the second row either featuring a pair of plush captain’s chairs or a regular three-seater bench.
It’s a free choice to pick between either configuration, so choose wisely. A petrol-powered 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite – like our test car – costs $62,200 before on-roads, and the diesel $66,200.
Last, but not certainly not least, in the range is the top-spec 2022 Hyundai Palisade Highlander. It costs $71,700 or $75,700 plus on-road costs respectively for petrol or diesel.
Now you know what it costs, what it comes with, and what it’s powered by, let’s see whether it’ll fit your busy family lifestyle.
| Key details | 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 |
| Price (MSRP) | $62,200 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Steel Graphite |
| Options | Premium paint – $695 |
| Price as tested | $62,895 plus on-road costs $68,162 drive-away (Sydney) |
| Rivals | Mazda CX-9 | Kia Carnival | Toyota Kluger |
Inside
The first thing you notice is how wide the cabin looks and feels. Things like the huge centre armrest console allude to the cabin’s width, but as a test, try opening the passenger’s glovebox from the driver’s seat (with the engine off, of course).
I bet you can’t stretch that far. More seriously, the sense of space is welcoming when you’re the sort of person always looking for more. The leather seats are welcoming, too, with deep bolsters, an overall wide design, and both squishy yet supportive foam padding inside.
I conducted multiple two-hour stints behind the wheel – once in the passenger seat – between the Sydney municipality and New South Wales Southern Highlands district, only to find myself feeling physically fatigue-free and surprisingly chipper.
On top of being well-shaped and comfy, they’re electrically adjustable, feature four-way lumbar adjustment, and are heated too. Other cool features in the first row include an absolutely massive floating lower centre console with modular cupholders, two USB-A ports, and even a wireless charging pad.
This huge tub is hovering, as I just mentioned, meaning there’s more covered storage and power outlets underneath it. Honestly, if you’re a parent who still thinks they need more space than what a 2022 Hyundai Palisade offers, you need to learn to let go and carry less stuff.
Rounding out the first row in terms of pleasantries includes a push-button transmission selector, massive array of climate-control switches and dials for tactility’s sake, and even more storage – this time in its doors.
Over in the second row, space is fantastic for adults and kids alike. The seven-seater version is more comfy with two dedicated captain’s chairs, but families will love the flexibility of eight seats in total.
Our test car is an eight-seater version, which means its second-row seat bench favours occupancy over comfort. It’s reclinable, slidable, and wide enough (there’s that word again) to support three child seats across the back row, or three fully grown adults.
I fitted a Britax Graphene convertible child seat and found the Palisade’s naturally high hip point easy to load kids, especially if they’re still in a rearward-facing set-up. The large and square door openings plus tall roof mean there’s ample aperture to load a fresh baby through, and without a capsule.
In terms of fitting adults, I’m 183cm tall and sitting behind my own driving position was a supremely comfortable affair. My knees were way clear of the seat back, feet able to kick out in front, and my upper body left with ample room to settle in and enjoy the ride.
On top of there being a third-zone climate control and independent fan speed to play with, there are also two more USB ports in the rear seats to plug into, a 12-volt power outlet, and roof-mounted air vents too, just like an airplane.
The second-row floor is almost flat, so scuttling across the rear bench to avoid opening a door into oncoming traffic is something your kids will not whinge about.
Over in the third row, space is pretty darn good for a large-sized SUV. Accessing it is a bit of a pain compared to something like a 2022 Kia Carnival, but once you’re in the space is somewhat comparable.
Adults will find it slightly tight but manageable, whereas younger kids and teenagers are just right. Going three across the third row is something reserved for kids to experience, and in case you’re wondering, there are tether points and even one ISOFIX point back here too.
Boot space is brilliant regardless of the seating configuration. With eight seats in play there’s 311L of boot space – more than a 2022 Toyota Corolla – and with five seats 704L.
That’s code for heaps of space, or enough to fit a month’s worth of grocery shopping, a gym bag, and even a kid’s scooter, with still room to spare.
| 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 | |
| Seats | Eight |
| Boot volume | 311L to third row 704L to second row 1297L to first row |
| Length | 4980mm |
| Width | 1975mm |
| Height | 1750mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite uses a large 10.25-inch display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, native satellite navigation and live traffic updates. It’s a decent system with brawny hardware that handles multiple commands and tasks like graphic-heavy smartphone mirroring with ease.
Although pragmatic and simple, the Hyundai software interface is also easy to use and learn, and simple to navigate. There are also dedicated infotainment shortcut buttons on the dash, too, making tabbing between functions an equally easy task.
Those who step up to the Hyundai Palisade Elite and higher grades also benefit from an Infinity-branded 12-speaker stereo system with external amplifier. Although it struggled to push clear and vibrant mid-level frequencies, the melodramatic ambiance from Kevin Parker’s Posthumous Forgiveness sounded large and airy as expected.
The xylophone solo from Gong’s Heavy Tune sounded bright and twinkly, as you’d expect too, but the overall backing mix did lack its usual punch.
Safety and Technology
The 2022 Hyundai Palisade has not been crash-tested by ANCAP.
Our particular Elite trim level is still well-equipped from a safety technology standpoint, however. Standard gear includes blind-spot monitor with active collision assist, automatic braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, radar cruise control, and more.
However, things like a 360-degree parking camera, occupant exit warning and a blind-spot system with live vision shown in the gauge cluster are sadly reserved for the top-of-the-range Highlander.
While you can live without live vision piped into your gauge cluster every time you change lanes, the 360 camera is actually very useful for a car of this size.
Some would argue it should be standard from at least the mid-grade up. If that’s the technology you need for the broader peace of mind of your family, then you may need to step up from our Elite trim level.
| 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 | |
| ANCAP rating | Untested |
Value for Money
As a recap, our 2022 Hyundai Palisade costs $62,895 as optioned before on-roads, or around $68,000 drive-away depending on where you live.
Same-segment competitors include the 2022 Mazda CX-9 GT that starts from around $63,350 before on-roads, or $68,700 on the road.
If you’re chasing outright space, you’ll still prefer the Palisade. Another more space-aligned choice is the 2022 Kia Carnival SLi, a people mover that costs $57,780 before on-roads, or around $62,200 on the road. It has sliding doors but more space. Only you can put a price on vanity.
Servicing a 2022 Hyundai Palisade is a simple affair, with the first five services costing $399 each, or $1197 for three years, or $1995 for five. Service intervals are decent at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
| At a glance | 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 |
| Warranty | Five years / unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1197 (3 years), $1995 (5 years) |
The petrol-powered six used 10.5L/100km on our testing route, with a few extra highway stints toward the end of the loan seeing the economy improve again to 9.9L/100km.
Not bad for a huge, American-influenced tank of a thing.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 10.7L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 10.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 71L |
Driving
Ironically, if you need respite from family life, you’ll love the 2022 Hyundai Palisade.
It’s incredibly comfortable, quiet, and relatively easy to drive. The 3.8-litre V6 engine is plenty powerful for the job, but only drives the front wheels via the eight-speed automatic transmission. Punching it from a set of lights in the dry can sometimes trigger the traction control.
Moreover, briskly accelerating in slightly damp and early morning conditions more than often does. It’s a small niggle, but the only noticeable downside to the powertrain.
The rest is top-shelf stuff, as it operates quietly, has the guts to haul seven adults without batting an eyelid, and was efficient during testing.
The suspension tune errs on the side of comfort, but again the powertrain’s foibles naturally align to its lazy nature. Even its high-speed ride is stellar, as on roads that are relatively straight yet riddled with bumps it remains a pleasure.
Its size becomes an issue in tight, inner-city confines, hence the earlier comment for the need of a 360-degree parking camera on all grades. It’s only offered on the top-spec Palisade Highlander.
The mirrors are decent and the seat will go high enough to give a nervous driver line-of-sight down the front corners, and its stubby nose does help somewhat.
| Key details | 2022 Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 |
| Engine | 3.8-litre V6 petrol |
| Power | 217kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 355Nm @ 5200rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 114kW/t |
| Weight | 1897kg |
| Tow rating | 2200kg braked, 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.8m |
Conclusion
Picking between a 2022 Hyundai Palisade and the slightly better 2022 Kia Carnival is a subjective coin flip away.
Some will prefer the ground clearance or hip height, overall look and feel, and the fact it doesn’t have sliding rear doors too. The latter point is a genuine concern for some. It’s probably a little more plush than the Kia too, ironically, and that will also matter to some.
My advice is that if you have a few kids, need room for a few more sometimes, or just love being the ‘driver’ in your clan, it’s the best seven- (or eight-) seat SUV in its class.
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