Mike's Car Review: The 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

If you've been admiring big luxury SUVs like the BMW X7, but can't quite swing the six-figure purchase price, Hyundai has a new vehicle for you. It's the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. It's a familiar move from Hyundai---deliver the looks and a lot of features of established competitors---at a significantly lower price.

2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade is a full-size, three-row, seven-passenger SUV. It's powered by a 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy average is 19 city/24 highway.

You can get it in two or four-wheel drive, and---amazingly, in its base SE trim, the Palisade starts at $31,550. That is a shockingly low number in this segment---and as an absolute number, since the average car is now selling for about $37,000.

2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

The Palisade I drove for a week---including the long Thanksgiving weekend up at Lake Tahoe---was the top-of-the-line Limited. And even it has an amazingly low starting price of $44,700 in two-wheel drive form, $46,400 in all-wheel drive, which is how our test vehicle was equipped.

2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

As you can see, the interior is stylish, refined and luxurious. Here's the list of standard equipment for that $46,400 base price:

  • Shift by wire
  • Electric parking brake
  • Downhill brake control
  • Forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection
  • Lane keeping assist
  • Driver attention warning
  • Rearview camera
  • Ultrasonic rear occupant alert
  • Blindspot collision avoidance
  • Safe exit assist
  • Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist
  • HTRAC AWD
  • Drive Mode Select with SNOW mode and AWD lock.
  • Auto-leveling rear suspension
  • 20-inch wheels
  • Limited grille, exterior trim and tailllights
  • LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights
  • Rear wide dual sunroof with shade
  • High-beam assist with auto on/off
  • Trailering package (pre-wiring, transmission cooler, sway control)
  • 10.25-inch infotainment screen
  • Navigation
  • SiriusXM Satellite Radio
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Front and rear park distance warning
  • Proximity key with pushbutton start and immobilizer
  • Rear seat quiet mode
  • Power folding/unfolding/reclining third-row seats
  • One-touch folding second-row seats
  • Nappa leather seating surfaces
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Heated and ventilated front and second-row seats
  • Microfiber suede headliner
  • Rear window sunshades
  • Seven (yes, seven) USB ports
  • Driver's integrated memory seat
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
  • Dual automatic temperature control, second row automatic climate control
  • Haptic steering wheel
  • Smart cruise control with Stop & Go
  • Lane following assist
  • Highway drive assist
  • Surround view monitor
  • Blind view monitor
  • Wireless phone charger
  • 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster
  • Head-up display
  • Harman Kardon premium audio system
  • Driver talk in-car intercom
  • Ambient lighting
  • Hands-free smart liftgate with auto open
  • Blue Link connected services (3 years)
  • Blue Link remote start (3 years)

2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD
2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD

Again, all that is standard equipment for $46,400. And there was only one extra-cost option on our Palisade---carpeted floormats for $150. So with $1,045 inland freight and handling, the bottom line on the window sticker read $47,605.

The Palisade was great on mountain roads during a significant winter storm. Comfortable, composed, capable. Let's not forget that this also includes Hyundai's legendary warranty---5 years/60,000 miles for the entire vehicle, 7 years/unlimited mileage for rust and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. And there's five years and unlimited miles worth of free roadside assistance.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD does a very credible impression of a $65,000 SUV. Nobody needs to know you paid less than $50,000.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content