By 0 Comments

Copyright news

In the same way Disney’s Princess experienced the ultimate ‘glow up’, transforming from humble roots into a showstopping beauty, so too has Hyundai evolved.

RELATED: Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV tested

If your first thought when someone says “Hyundai” is “Excel” or some other small, cheap car, then your thinking is about 20 years behind the times. The new Palisade is meant to be a rival for the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-90, a family-friendly SUV. But in reality, it offers up so many creature comforts and space it can be considered a genuine alternative to luxury SUVs from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well.

MORE: Tesla’s ‘Full Self Driving’ goes live

Given the cost-of-living stresses that every family is going through, the idea of exchanging the expensive European SUV in the driveway for something just as nice for a fraction of the price will likely be appealing to many.

Hyundai Australia is only offering a single version of the new-generation Palisade, the fully loaded Calligraphy Hybrid model, which will hit showrooms in October.

MORE: Terrible doorhandles to be banned

The company has thrown everything it has at the Calligraphy, not only in terms of luxuries (such as Premium Relaxation seats and a 14-speaker Bose sound system) but also technology.

The new Palisade comes with both Hyundai’s new Digital Key 2.0, which allows you to pair your car to your smartphone, but also a new fingerprint recognition system to start it. You can literally get the Palisade going with a single press of your finger, and without needing to find a key or take your phone out of your pocket.

Once you’re inside you are greeted with a generously appointed cabin.

RELATED: Hyundai unveils Palisade XRT Pro

Typically in family focused SUVs like this the “parents seats” upfront are heated, but those in the back miss out. But not in the Palisade, it has heated seats in both the second and third rows, so everyone can stay toasty on a cold winter’s day.

There’s also six 100W USB-C ports littered throughout the cabin, so, for better or worse, everyone can keep their devices charged at all times.

The technology isn’t limited to the cabin too, under the bonnet Hyundai has made a major upgrade. Gone is the previous Palisade’s diesel engine, replaced by a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, backed up by an all-new hybrid system that integrates two electric motors into the system.

There is one motor dedicated to creating power and a separate one to drive the wheels. Hyundai claims this set-up allows for extended all-electric driving range and improves fuel economy.

The net result is an engine that makes 245kW of power and 460Nm of torque, while sipping just 6.8L/100km of unleaded, which is an impressively small number for an SUV this big.

The other benefit of going hybrid is there is a big battery to draw power from, so Hyundai has added a household outlet in the boot, so you can run your laptop, a portable fridge or other small electrical items you might need for your next road trip.

As for how it drives, well Hyundai has literally tuned the Palisade specifically for Australian roads.

A team of Hyundai engineers visited Sydney and worked with the local specialists to finetune the suspension and steering tune.

The combination of this bespoke tuning and the new hybrid powertrain create a pleasant driving experience.

Our initial test drive was limited, but it was enough to reveal an SUV with good composure and refined manners. The performance of the hybrid powertrain impressed too, offering plenty of punch whenever you put your foot down, despite only having a relatively small petrol engine.

But all these improvements come at a price. No, the Palisade won’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight, but this new model is likely to cost around $10,000 more than the one it replaces, around $90,000. That’s a lot of money for a Hyundai, even if it is saving you plenty over a similar-sized European alternative. But if you look beyond the badge, then you’ll find a spacious, practical and very luxurious SUV for you and the whole family.