Hyundai Palisade 2020 Review





In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's mid-to-large SUV market has become increasingly intense, and seven-seater SUVs have gradually become the mainstream choice for family users—meeting the spatial needs of multiple members while balancing configuration and comfort, without ignoring driving quality. Since entering the local market, the Hyundai Palisade has established itself with the combination of "large space + high configuration," and the 2020 Palisade public version is specifically targeted at family users who value practicality and cost-effectiveness. In this test drive, we focused on experiencing its space performance, dynamic driving quality, and whether its features truly cater to daily usage needs, providing potential buyers with a clear reference.
The exterior of the 2020 Palisade public continues the family-style "sensuous sportiness" design language. The overall silhouette is upright and imposing, fitting the positioning of a mid-to-large SUV. The front features a large trapezoidal grille with chrome mesh inserts, paired with irregularly shaped LED headlights on both sides, giving it a high degree of recognition. The fog light area below the headlights incorporates L-shaped chrome decorations, enhancing the refinement of the front. The side profile features straight lines, with concave designs on the lower door panels and 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels that prevent monotony. The wheelbase reaches 2,900mm, laying a solid foundation for interior space. At the rear, the highlight is the through-type LED tail lamps, which provide a striking visual effect when lit at night. The rear bumper is adorned with silver protective plates, adding a hint of off-road character, while the dual exhaust layout enhances the sporty feel.
Stepping inside, the interior of the 2020 Palisade public features a dark color tone with a symmetrical dashboard design and a clear layout. The central console is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen LCD that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, offering decent operational smoothness. Below the screen, some physical buttons are retained for convenient blind operation while driving. The multifunctional leather steering wheel feels comfortable to hold, with buttons on the left for multimedia and Bluetooth phone controls, and on the right for the cruise control system. The seats are wrapped in leather, with power adjustment for the front seats (8-way for the driver and 6-way for the passenger). The second-row features independent seats with a center passage to facilitate the entry and exit of third-row passengers. The third-row space is comfortable for short trips for adults, with sufficient headroom and legroom. In terms of storage, the front central armrest compartment is quite spacious, and the door storage pockets can hold water bottles and small items. The trunk space is average in the seven-seat configuration, but folding down the third row significantly expands the storage space to meet the luggage needs of long-distance family trips.
In terms of power, the 2020 Palisade public is equipped with a 3.8L V6 naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 291 horsepower and a peak torque of 355 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In daily driving, the throttle response is smooth, and the vehicle does not lurch forward during acceleration, making it suitable for the driving habits of family users. When the throttle is pressed harder, the power output remains linear, with strong mid-range acceleration and confident overtaking performance. The transmission shift logic is clear, with precise timing for upshifts and downshifts, and almost no noticeable jerkiness. The chassis uses a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension system, with tuning focused on comfort. It filters most minor vibrations on bumpy roads, ensuring that passengers feel minimal discomfort. While cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range, avoiding the sensation of "swaying like a boat." As for fuel consumption, our tests on mixed road conditions yielded an average fuel consumption of about 11.5L/100km, which is acceptable for a V6 large-displacement SUV.
In terms of noise control, when the vehicle is driving at high speed, wind and tire noise can be heard to some extent, but it does not affect conversations inside the car; engine noise becomes more noticeable when the RPM exceeds 3000, but during daily driving, the RPM rarely goes beyond this range. The seats offer good wrapping and support, making long periods of sitting fatigue-free. Regarding safety features, the car is equipped with a vehicle stability system, traction control, rearview camera, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags, all of which meet daily safety needs.
Overall, the core strengths of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade public lie in its spacious interior, comfortable ride experience, and stable power output. Compared to the Toyota Fortuner in the same class, its third-row space is more practical, and the interior features are more advanced; and when compared to the Ford Everest, its V6 engine delivers smoother power output. This vehicle is suitable for users who value family travel needs, especially those who frequently carry multiple passengers or a lot of luggage. If you are looking for a large SUV with ample space, sufficient features, and smooth driving performance, the 2020 Palisade public is worth considering.



