Hyundai photo

Hyundai Palisade 2020 Review

2020 Hyundai Palisade public is a mid-to-large-sized seven-seater SUV that focuses on spaciousness, high configuration, and comfort, precisely catering to the travel needs of family users who prioritize practicality and cost-effectiveness.
Hyundai Palisade photo
Hyundai Palisade photo
Hyundai Palisade photo
Hyundai Palisade photo
Hyundai Palisade photo
TBC
Hyundai Palisade 2020
Body Type
SUV
Segment
-
Capacity(L)
-
Engine Power(PS)
-
Engine Torque(Nm)
-
Transmission
-
View Hyundai Palisade >
View Full Specs >
Review
User 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.

Pros
Strong and smooth performance, 3.8L V6 or 2.2T diesel engine handles uphill climbs and overtaking with ease, no loss of power even with air conditioning on full
Good vehicle stability, minimal body roll during turns, stable on highways and mountain roads, suitable for family trips
Rich and practical safety features, systems like automatic braking effectively prevent accidents and ensure travel safety
Cons
The central control screen responds relatively slowly and has a reflection issue, affecting navigation and operating experience.
The third-row seats are relatively hard, lacking comfort for long trips, and some users report discomfort for adults during prolonged sitting.
The car paint is relatively thin and easily chipped by small stones; attention to detail needs improvement.
Overall Rating
4.3
Excellent
From 7 Reviews
Section Rating
Performance
4.3 / 5
Interior Design
4.3 / 5
Safety
4.1 / 5
Exterior Design
4.3 / 5
Showing 7 reviews
4 Excellent
Mazda3BP
Owner of 2020 Hyundai Palisade public
Previously, I had a 7-seat Japanese SUV, and it always felt like the power was as weak as "drinking milk tea." After switching to the Palisade, during the "snail-paced crawl" of Kuala Lumpur's morning rush hour, pressing the accelerator deeply gives a real sense of the 3.8L V6's power, and during overtaking, the car feels as stable as if it's "glued to the ground." On weekends, taking the whole family to Genting, the gearbox shifts smoothly on uphill climbs, and even with the air conditioner running at full blast, there's no noticeable power loss. The safety features are definitely "praiseworthy with eyes closed"—the automatic braking system once saved me during an emergency stop on the highway. The only minor downside: the infotainment screen is a bit slow to respond, like an "old-fashioned phone." But in Malaysia's hot and humid weather, the ventilated seats and tri-zone climate control are amazing, and even adults can sit comfortably in the third row. Overall, this car is a "hexagonal warrior for family travel," with safety and space being top-notch, and power that's considered an "excellent performer" in its class!
4 Excellent
NX350h
Owner of 2020 Hyundai Palisade public
Last Saturday, I took my wife and child to the orchard at the foot of Genting Mountain to pick mangoes. Just as we entered the mountain, we encountered a heavy rainstorm. The wipers had to be set to the fastest mode to barely see the road. The large vehicle body is quite stable, and the body roll during turns is not significant. Although the panoramic sunroof was blurred by the rain, it was quite pleasant to have the air conditioning on and listen to the child playing in the back seat. However, the central control screen was a bit slow to respond, and the navigation took ages to load; in the end, it was the phone that saved the day. But the safety features were indeed spot on—the automatic braking system helped me avoid a rear-end collision on the mountain road, which definitely deserves a thumbs up.
4 Excellent
Z4G29
Owner of 2020 Hyundai Palisade public
Last week, I took my parents to the orchard at the foot of Genting Mountain. As soon as we entered the mountain, we encountered a heavy rain. While the wipers were frantically swiping away the water, my mother in the passenger seat suddenly said, "This car feels even steadier than the sofa at home" — the leather seats indeed provided enough support, and my parents curled up sleeping in the back didn't complain about back pain. However, there were many curves on the mountain roads, and the central control screen's reflection made me have to tilt my head to look at the navigation, which is a downside. But when we parked at the orchard entrance, a passing Malay uncle deliberately turned back to take another look. The strong body lines of the car indeed appeared imposing in the rain and mist.
4 Excellent
PorscheLover
Owner of 2020 Hyundai Palisade public
Previously, I drove a small-displacement sedan, and every time I took my whole family to Genting, I had to step on the gas hard, and overtaking was a struggle. After switching to the Palisade, the 2.2T diesel engine made overtaking on highways super smooth, and it doesn’t feel sluggish when following traffic during the morning rush hour. The 4-star performance rating is well deserved. The exterior is stylish, and the seven-seat space is perfect for family trips; kids won’t feel cramped in the third row. However, the third-row seats are a bit hard, making long trips uncomfortable for extended periods. Last weekend, I took my family to Penang, and the trunk handled three suitcases and a stroller with ease. Fuel consumption was also lower than expected, so overall, I’m very satisfied.
5 Excellent
J10_Qash
Owner of 2020 Hyundai Palisade public
Last Saturday, I drove my parents to the orchard at the foot of Genting Mountain. Just as we started on the winding mountain road, we encountered a torrential downpour. The car's bold chrome front grille was highly recognizable in the misty rain. Although the car is as big as a "moving fortress," the 360° camera system helped me easily avoid a slipping motorcycle on the roadside — the safety features are indeed considerate. However, the paint is admittedly thin, as the front bumper got a small chip from a pebble; otherwise, I would have rated the appearance 5 out of 5. Overall, it’s stable whether for mountain road trips with family or commuting in the city, but the details could use some refinement.
1
2

What is the most purchased car brand in 2023?

Which car company made the most money in 2023?

What is the highest selling vehicle in the world 2023?