Hyundai said that its new flagship premium three-row Palisade SUV, unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will be available in selected Africa and Middle East markets from summer 2019.

As an extension of Hyundai’s successful SUV range, the Palisade rides on an all-new chassis, and provides exceptional second- and third-row roominess, generous cargo area, and reconfiguration flexibility.

Palisade’s styling conveys dignity with style worthy of a flagship SUV. From the front, a dominant, bold and wide cascading grille clearly represents a premium SUV, strengthened by composite headlamps and a vertically-connected forward lighting signature. A powerful, extended hood profile creates an impressive road presence, with bold C-pillars and panoramic glass areas conveying spaciousness. Full-volume over-fenders and profile styling offer muscular detailing, while the rear view emphasizes a wide and stable stance.

The interior combines a sense of relaxation and comfort with eight-passenger seating as standard. Leather-equipped models offer a premium, quilted Nappa leather, while on the instrument panel, smooth woodgrain trim in a wraparound interior design create a spacious, comfortable ambience. One-Touch operation moves second row seats seat forward for easy access to the third-row seats, which in turn offer power-folding/unfolding and reclining. Second-row captain’s chairs are also available with ventilated seating surfaces. Every seating row offers USB outlets for convenience for all passengers, for a total of seven. A conversation mirror allows the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear.

“The Hyundai Palisade will offer the ultimate in practical family transport, with large and flexible interior space, combined with all-road capability, and the latest technology for convenience and safety,” said Mike Song, Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East. “It will provide even greater depth to Hyundai’s range of leading SUV and crossover models, with excellence in engineering and design setting it apart from its rivals.”

Palisade power comes from an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine, for excellent power and efficiency. This 3.8-liter powerplant produces an estimated 295 ps@ 6,000 rpm and an estimated 355 Nm of torque @ 5,000 rpm. Palisade delivers power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter, and offers both two-wheel and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations, with a final drive ratio of 3.648 for confident acceleration.

The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-mode system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The driver-selectable HTRAC Normal, Sport and Smart modes help provide confident control in all weather conditions. The Sport setting gives a more agile feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels, for a sporty dynamic feel when desired. This system has a wider range of torque distribution variability than many competitive systems and has been tuned to conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium- or high-speed cornering, and hill starts.

Front and rear suspension width is maximized on Palisade, for enhanced roll stiffness and stability, with lightweight components helping improve responsiveness. Handling is further enhanced by best-in-class body torsional rigidity.

Safety technologies

Palisade offers a number of advanced safety technologies standard, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go. – TradeArabia News Service