Hyundai's Super-Sized Family Hauler | Is The 2020 Palisade King Of The Hill? 

The Palisade and Telluride are raising the standard for three row suvs. The value is incredible. Interior is gorgeous. Very impressed. Class leader by a lot

For those folks saying there's too much Chrome in the front just imagine that this had an Audi emblem. I would have totally believed that. The luxury and space this car offers is best in class. And you get that for a very reasonable price. I call that a steal

We have it and we love it. Third row is very spacious and comfortable. No knees up your chin. A proper vehicle.

Alex is by far the best car reviewer on RU-vid, still don't know why his sub isn't over a mil yet. Dont be discouraged and keep doing what you do Alex!

It goes largely without saying that the Palisade and Telluride have raised the bar in the larger midsize crossover category. Unless one has a priority not shared by most consumers such as outstanding substantial towing (Durango), outstanding fuel economy (Highlander Hybrid), scalding performance (Explorer ST), ease of managing multiple child seats (Atlas), canyon carving in a 16.5' long crossover (CX-9), or simply brand loyalty, it's difficult to justify an alternative. And for each of those alternatives a consumer will pay more (sometimes MUCH more) to realize them. As far as the Palisade versus the Telluride is concerned, there are few differences. Alex mentioned one key difference; the Palisade is built in Korea while the Telluride is built in West Point, Georgia. What he didn't mention was that the two vehicles are aimed at different national markets and compete with different rivals in those markets. The Telluride is aimed squarely at the mainstream 3 row crossover market in North America. It's not even sold in Korea or most other Asian and European markets. It has a "rugged" vibe that is so appealing to American consumers. The Palisade, on the other hand, is designed to compete with large luxury crossovers outside North America such as MB, Audi, BMW, and Volvo. In those markets what Americans call large "mainstream" three row vehicles are rare or non-existent. Thus, the Palisade emits a budget "luxury" vibe that's especially appealing to the growing middle class consumers in Asia, especially in the 800 lb gorilla market in China. (The Palisade is not yet for sale in China but Hyundai clearly wants to break into that market.) Personally, I prefer the somewhat simpler and less complicated looks of the Telluride. Hyundai's design language in most of their vehicles strikes me as somewhat "overstyled" with a few too many creases and bulges. Hyundai seems to think that quilted interior materials suggests "luxury" but it reminds me of my grandmother's sofa from 50 years ago. Obviously, others will differ. Beyond that, there are a couple of differences that would make a difference for me. The Palisade's headlights are located just above the lower edge of fascia. In the Telluride they're placed in a more conventional spot near the top of the fenders. Here in the Pacific NW we suffer from rocks and gravel coming down when the mountains in the Spring thaw. Headlights placed just above the bumper are far more vulnerable to those annoying little missiles thrown from vehicles ahead. It's bad enough to replace a windshield every year or two; headlights sitting 18" or so above the road are even worse. Secondly, one difference between the two vehicles is the Palisade's motorized third row seat backs that can be raised or lowered with a button. Frankly, it's so slow it makes watching paint dry seem like an active sport. And since I don't have arms like a T-Rex I find the much simpler push/pull action of the straps in the Telluride a superior solution. Further, the motorized system in the Hyundai results in the loss of about 3 cubic ft of cargo space behind the third row. The Telluride's 21 cf ranks near the top of the category; the Palisade's 18" cf is only a bit over average.

What a homerun for the Koreans! These twins are simply the best you can buy. I wish we got the Telluride here!

I just leased an SEL 3 wks ago. I love it! I receive lots of compliments. “That’s a Hyundai? Wow!”

In the JD Power Initial Quality Survey last year, Mercedes ranked 29th, with 202 problems per hundred vehicles, while Hyundai ranked 10th, with 153. Kia ranked 2nd, with 136. Audi was 31st, with 225, and BMW was 19th, with 176. Kia, Genesis and Hyundai were in the top ten, while all the German makes, aside from VW, were below the industry average. As for Toyota, they ranked 21st with 177 problems per 100 vehicles. Kia and Hyundai Group have hired German designers and engineers to make their cars the best in class, and they're working on doing just that. They have stated many times that they want German design with Japanese reliability. Anyone saying the Korean brands are crap is an opinion not supported with facts or objective reasoning.

I go with the Palisade. I've reached the point in life where my tush lust's for a softer ride with good road manners and that seems to be present in the Palisade in spades. The Telluride is unquestionably an equally good vehicle but my taste says Palisade. YMMV.

Thank you Alex for mentioning the amber rear turn signals, it's very important for people who export cars from North America to Europe!! Great review as always !

My Palisade Limited comes tomorrow Black and Beige so you lose that speckled black filler piece in the dash. Alex something you may want to look into is doing reviews, with the growth of LED lights and this digital dash and infotainment center is a night review. This Palisade comes with 64 different colors of ambient light ooozing out everywhere under the dash, from the doors, etc. Just stunning and something well thought out that should be shown off. I’m sure other manufacturers have some of this going on to...or they will soon! Love your reviews 👍🏻

I’ve watched multiple reviews on this vehicle to try and make up my mind, but Alex’s is the one I’ve been waiting for!

Great review! I’m fine with the relative sizes of the LCDs in the instrument cluster vs. infotainment. Both are “huge” and well large enough to get the job done.

I would go Palisades. You have the best reviews on RU-vid. Thanks for the good work.

The graphics during the specifications segment are mesmerizing. MESMERIZING.

Can always count on you to provide SPECTACULAR reviews! Hope to meet again soon. :)

One of the best Hyundais I’ve ever driven and one of the best vehicles I’ve ever driven. Extremely comfortable, extremely quiet, capable engine with a great sound to it, and basically every luxury item you could ask for.

At 10,000 miles, I can report that my loaded 4wd Palisade is fabulous. I’m 6’1Almost 27 mpg overall on a trip from Houston to Vail Colorado. Spacious.

I came home with my fully optioned Palisade SEL AWD in October and I love it. It has almost everything the Limited has except ventilated seats, cooled second row, pano roof, and digital cluster. I have the fully LED headlights and taillights, 10.25 inch infotainment and Highway Drive Assist. I was also able to get it for $1500 under MSRP with only 15 miles on it. I really recommend it and I loved it more than the Subaru Ascent, and similarly optioned EX Telluride.

Telluride for sure because of the interior design. You didn't mention the Honda Pilot, which I presently own and am very happy with.

I expected to prefer the Telluride, as I slightly prefer the exterior styling, but the Palisade interior feels more special, if only slightly. They're both winners, especially given the brands' excellent reliability in recent years. Now we just need a good hybrid, and the CX-9's road manners.

We picked the Palisade over many others we tested. I'm a car guy but I do find myself borrowing this from the wife quite often. We got hers in the Hyper White color, just think it looks luxurious in the white. The one complaint I do have, is lower trims have a better looking wheel and grille, not sure I understand why Hyundai does that.

Alex on autos, i appreciate the way you do your videos.

I would go with the Palisade because of one thing that I don't think you mentioned, it has two way lumbar (at least in the driver's seat) and the Kia doesn't.

we have just over 12k mi on our SEL AWD and enjoy it, it's a smooth comfortable vehicle for long distance trips to see family. it can handle pulling my enclosed utility trailer when needed, and returns good fuel economy overall.

Hi Alex. Did you do the comparison video for the Telluride and Pallisade?

For my taste, I'd go with the Palisade. Along with the fact that after test driving both of them, I find the handling of the Palisade to be much more agile than the Teluride. In fact, I don't think it deviates all that much from the CX-9. The only complaint I have about the Palisade, really, is the automatic third-row, which is not necessary. I would exchange that for a bit more space like there is on the Teluride. Overall, I find it very hard to be the Palisade's proposition. My only problem is that my brother bought one, in the same color I wanted! Darn it!

I own a 2016 Kia Sedona with approx 32k miles and a 2018 Niro with approx 39k miles. Love them both. Reliable, comfortable, great stereo sound. Unfortunately the Sedona is one of the most depreciating vehicles in the USA. (Why... Idk)... and the Niro's fuel economy is greatly effected in cold weather by about 7-8 mpg. I will still keep them though until they start falling apart.

Recently (two weeks ago) purchased a 2022 Palisade Calligraphy AWD: but there are still some areas for product improvement: add power folding exterior side mirrors, add sunglass holder in interior and add illumination for the overhead light buttons above driver and front passenger (the POI buttons are illuminated but the light buttons aren't, that's odd and an omission in form/function) and those rims on calligraphy trim are a bit 'loud', design something more classy the ones on current and previous Limited trim); and last but not least, consider adding hybrid powertrain as is offered on many other Hyundai products.

Whoop whoop. New graphics are mind blowing.

I don't know why people call the Pallisade "divisive" or "controversial" looking. I think it's beautiful, and very aggressive looking. I do, however, think the SEL wheels look better than the Limited wheels

I’ve always prosyletized the virtues of minivans as the most transportation equipment for the money. The Telluride and Palisade are the first SUV’s that have elicited any of my interest. They have great visual presence, and MIGHT someday get me out of my current ride, a 2017 Kia Sedona SXL(which I love).

When talking about towing, there is a towing package with load leveling rear air suspension that is 100% worth it

With more cars offering highway driving assistance or semi autonomous driving, are you planning to incorporate a segment such as auto highway cruise-ability? I think more people are shopping cars with this feature and currently there's no reviewers out there doing such comparisons.

I like the luxury of the Palisade over the Telluride. That's why I bought the Palisade. Love it! Great review!

Great review Alex! One game I play in your reviews is to guess what song will be on the Infortainment screen...I got Freddie Cannon's Palisade Park right! Thanks for the ego boost!

You were absolutley right Alex! Looking at this review is one thing but I actually saw one on the dealer's lot and it was quite a bit smaller than I even suspected and that was a good thing in my view.

Really enjoying the upgraded graphics in this video. Your team are doing a wonderful job. Your channel was always second to none in expertise and the extra bit of polish makes it even more peerless among the other RU-vid options out there.

Alex w/o a doubt super comprehensive reviews, very standardised and consistent, love it. My suggestion would be a quick test and opinion about the headlights performance.

27mpg on the highway is great for such a big SUV, some full size sedans barely make that. This is awesome but I'd go for the more rugged looking Telluride. So many standard features even in the base trim. Add that 10yr/100k miles warranty and this is a winner. Telluride and Palisades are much cheaper than Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse/Suburban, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Durango and Volkswagen Atlas.

Its the Telluride for me.. and maybe steal a set of those Highlander Rims to throw on the Telluride or the SEL wheels

I plan on getting a new vehicle sometime in March/April 2021. When i started looking i was thinking the 2021 Ford Explorer because i do enjoy my Fords; however, i am really liking the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy edition and when you compare the price of the top end palisade Calligraphy and the top end Explorer Platinum you are looking at an $11,000 difference here in Canada and you get more with the Palisade. I think for the 1st time in over 20 years, Ford will lose me.

My concern is with regard to the drivetrain and engine layout. Not criticizing the palisade alone (Atlas). These are 3-row crossovers that are meant to carry more load and arguably some rough terrain as well. When these come in a front-wheel-drive biased layout, it torments the overall balance and handling of the vehicle. The engine choice of an N.A 3.8 V6 goog for the only for 290 hp and 260 lb-ft is less than adequate. Personally, I am not against NA engines but here they could have tune it to produce more torque at lower revs or could have used there in house 3.3 V6 GDI.

Palisade has 3 years service warranty that include oil change, tire rotations and a three years blue tooth - wifi link. The SEL with 2 packages and some options is the way to go.

if there's map display in the instrument cluster, I'd rather have a larger screen there vs infotainment - which then becomes pretty much a control screen rather than a display screen. I wish we can get these down under, including those twin sunroofs - pick it any day over CX9, Highlander or a Pathfinder. Even if they do, they are likely to price it up way more as they already price the Santa Fe at Highlanders etc.

I agree with the others... the new graphics are a nice change.

The Palisade is the easy winner to me. I had a 2013 Santa Fe XL and enjoyed it. Driving a Traverse now but may very well go back to Hyundai. I like the new Genesis GV80 but the price tag might be a little much. If demand comes down a bit prices may look better next year.

Saw a black one of these sitting on a side road about to come out and I immediately slowed down thinking he was a cop...these are sharp.

I’d have to go with the Palisade for styling on the interior and exterior especially. I thunk the front end of the Kia looks good but, for whatever reason, I can’t stand the taillights on the Telluride. I also prefer amber turn signals, they are far more noticeable and, frankly, I think they look better. I agree with Alex in that the 2nd row would have greatly benefited from a special folding mechanism like the Atlas - if Hyundai had included that feature then there would be no contest. However, I’d still get a Hyundai over a VW for reliability ratings based on Consumer Reports. Great review as always!!

Hey Alex, the center console at 12:44 is self-opening when you PUSH the button down. No need to push down and back, a commonly made mistake.

I like it a lot, it looks like my Santa Fe's big brother. Similar front grille, headlights and side panel creases.

The boxy looking Telluride is the best of the Korean twins though. Kian and Hyundai are sure raiding the bar when it comes to a SUV with usable 3rd row seats.

Another great review, Alex. I just checked Toyota highlander hybrid after viewing this review. Towing capacity drops to 3500 for hybrid version. What a bummer! I wish I could have a hybrid option for towing at least 5000 lb. All Toyota hybrid versions are capped at 3500 lb. towing or lower.

Palisade. Most luxurious and comfortable. Reliability and warranty..

For me, my choice will come down to Telluride (that dark green with black rims) or a pearl white Palisade. Thanks for the excellent review and video, Alex and his crew are very talented team!

absolutely amazing vehicle! btw i have to ask after years of watching.... alex, please, what exactly is "a large tablet computer"...?

Great review as always, Alex. Request you to please do a detailed Palisade vs Pilot comparison, specifically the SEL vs. EX/EX-L trim if possible? Thanks so much for all the amazing videos you upload!

As a driver I like the 12 in instrument panel. You pay more attention to that than you do, or at least should the infotainment screen when driving. I do believe Hyundai left some things to be desired with such a beautiful big instrument panel, other than switching drive modes it is a little bland.

Thank you for this video. Especially like your detailed analysis at the end comparing the different vehicles. I'm leaning towards the Telluride but dealers are charging $5+ over sticker due to limited supply. Can't justify spending that much more on a Telluride over the Palisade.

Thank you for the comparision of the competitors at the end, very helpful.

I like the telluride more. I think it looks sharper. I'd like too see a tow haul mode on these if you do decide too tow smaller things with them.

The 1st time i saw a palasade when when i was with nm mom @ a Hyundai dealer and she was leasing a 2019 Tucson. While i was waiting for her i saw a family get into a Palisade that i guess was brought in for service. If i had went to the car shwo in 2018, i would have saw one. But i went in 2017 and that was the last time.

Look mom! New graphics! 😁 Great reviews as always.

Disappointed that you didn't show the awesome storage underneath the center console in the front. A huge benefit. Either way, love both the Palisade and Telluride. Hard choice between the two.

love the new updated look! Good job! Love these videos

They need to offer the 8 seats version for the top trim or offer packages for the 8 seat trims to have 360 camera view.

Great review..we went by the dealership today. Wicked SUV 🥰

Just bought one today. Cant wait to pick it up. Coming from a sorento

As of 03-11-2020, it's going to be the Palisade in the lead over the Telluride, unless and until I convince myself why having a third row is so important to me. Pre-teen Granddaughters you only see once or twice a year is a silly reason to obsess over an extra row of seats.

I have a question. Between Hyundai Palisade, Kia Tellluride and Toyota Highlander which one was better about test drive, comfortable driving and driver seat?

Palisade for me!

WOW 10/10 Seat Comfort!!! I know you don’t hand those out freely. I Like Both Korean models for different reasons but if I had to pick I think Palisade as I think you get a little more for your money. Not a super fan of that grill although I haven;t been up close to it.

I'm looking forward to the next gen MDX.

While I definitely prefer the Palisade to the Telluride I think I'll wait until its mid-cycle refresh and hope that they clean up that hot mess of a front fascia.

Nice looking car…Drove the Telluride. Wasn’t blown away, but nice. Hoping this is a more luxurious ride…why don’t you have the Telluride on your size chart? I prefer the Palisade over the Telluride as I would go for the top trim and the Telluride only comes with those hideous black rims…those went out in 2015…

Love the new graphics!!!

Looked at all the players in the segment and ended up with one of these. It really is a great package overall.

Love to new look Alex great job!!!

I convinced my father to get the Telluride and he is loving it. I however am not 100% sold there seems to be something missing. I used to sell Volkswagens and I will say if I was in the market for a three row SUV I would look at the Atlas for it's 6 year 72,000 mile warranty and superior interior quality and crazy incentives, the Toyota because if I would love to have such a huge car but still get 36+ mpg, or my number one choice the Dodge Durango because there is absolutely nothing better than a V8 and I absolutely love FCA's infotainment.

I recently bought it for my wife and she loves it.

I'm predicting a turbo charged version of the Palisade and Telluride in the not too distant future!!

Very nice, just don't understand the directions of the tachometer and music trach toggle hhmm

27MPG at 70 MPH? That’s excellent for this size. I imagine at 40-60 MPG one could average 30ish

Hired a Honda Civic in the UK and it had push button gear selection. Very quick to learn how to use. Caused no problem at all and freed up a lot of space in the console, which is feature I like with my Mercedes which has a drive lever on the steering wheel. I would now NEVER buy a car that had a traditional gear selector on the console. Much slower to use and a great waste of space.

driving comfort and seats are critical factors for me. a pity this suv skimps on the passenger seat. I would gladly pay a small premium to have fully power adjustable. otherwise, the suv is a step ahead of the competition.

If it weren't for AoA, I never would have considered the Telluride or the Palisade. We ended up getting the Palisade and got a LOT of car that was a LOT less expensive than we would have paid if we got a comparably equipped Pilot, Highlander or Explorer (and a LOT more reliable than the Ascent). Styling was the only slight difference between the Telluride.

I dig the new side graphics

Excellent review as always plus best camera 🎥 angle on car 🚗 so we can see better view.

The infotainment should always be bigger than the instrument cluster because it is easier to see the instrument cluster at a glance than the infotainment screen. The bigger the infotainment screen the easier to identify words and icons the less time you will spend looking at it thus reducing distraction while driving.

This is cool but the Telluride is more of my taste.

You missed the mark by not including the Ascent in your comparison

I’m still happy with my pilot 6spd 2019

Great video @alexonautos, I was wondering do you tjing that there will be a hybrid system also in regards to size, where does the ford explorer fall on your vehicle size scale in comparison to the pthers?

I would probably go for the mid trims of Palisade or Telluride with additional options

Very nice, but I still prefer the Explorer for the handling, RWD and overall efficiency.

Waiting for Genesis GV80.

talking about your new graphics: 1 real nice, 2 will the cylinders oppose when reviewing Subaru's, 3 will you change the gears with a belt when reviewing CVT's?

The best in the segment!

Great review, thank you! I tend to lean towards the Palisade. I don't mind push-button shifters, in fact I like the extra room you gain. But, the buttons feel backwards to me. "D" should be forwards, and "R" should be towards the rear, like boats were when we went water skiing. But, I'm an old fart and boats have probably changed a lot since I was in one. Thanks again for the nice video, Alex.

Great and very informative review as usual! The new intro and graphics are really nice.