petrolhedonist

Premium Without The Gouge

Hyundai’s flagship SUV returns with hybrid power and a very clear mission: offer genuine luxury for significantly less than the Germans ask. The Palisade Calligraphy starts at $89,900, undercutting Volvo XC90 and top-tier Mazda CX-90 by a handy margin while matching them on size and exceeding them on standard kit. This isn’t badge engineering—it’s Hyundai flexing its premium credentials with Nappa leather, a BOSE sound system, and tech that’d make a Lexus blush. The hybrid powertrain is new, combining a 2.5L turbo four with electric assist for 245kW combined output.

On the road? The 460Nm torque delivers hushed, strong mid-range punch, and the HTRAC AWD with clever torque vectoring provides confidence in varied conditions. Excellent local suspension tuning means the Palisade’s 2175kg kerb weight is barley felt.

Inside? The cabin justifies the Calligraphy badge—dual 12.3″ screens, fingerprint authentication, relaxation seats with leg rests, and even UV-C sterilisation for the console. Eight seats fitted as standard, all wrapped in quality materials.

To run? The claimed 6.8L/100km combined is impressive for a 2.2-tonne seven-seater, and Hyundai’s new seven-year warranty provides peace of mind. And forget about German-calibre servicing charges.

The gotcha? It’s still a Hyundai at heart, and some buyers will pay extra elsewhere purely for the badge. The 21-inch wheels look sharp but could prove costly to kerb.

Who needs this? Families wanting legitimate premium features without the prestige badge markup. Not for badge snobs or those needing serious off-road capability—that 187mm ground clearance is modest at best. Wait for the XRT-Pro version next year for tough-guy vibes

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The verdict: 🟢 Lock it in