HYUNDAI Australia has announced changes to its large-segment Palisade SUV this week, the model receiving a new black-themed Calligraphy grade to sit above the outgoing Highlander, in addition to mild specification and equipment tweaks and increased pricing.
Price rises of up to $1530 are found across the 2024 Hyundai Palisade range, which now begins at $66,800 plus on-road costs in Elite front-wheel drive petrol format.
The entry level variant adds an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat (in addition to the powered driver’s seat offered previously), renewed melange knit headlining, wood-look cabin garnishing, a heated steering wheel and cargo area carpet mat.
All Palisade variants will include alloy sill covers and acoustic laminated front side glass but are otherwise unaltered. Seven- and eight-seat configurations continue to be available throughout the line-up.
Over the Elite, and in addition to those features found on the outgoing Highlander, the Palisade Calligraphy adds hydrophobic front door glass, acoustic laminated rear glass, and touchscreen-style HVAC controls.
The flagship Calligraphy Black Ink grade adds a black-coloured grille, front and rear skid plates, rear bumper garnish, badging, roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels, lower door garnishing, and tail-lights to the exterior, and a revised aluminium console finish, and black suede upholstery and headlining inside the cabin.
While the range continues to be offered in a variety of paint finishes – and with metallic paint continuing to attract a $675 price premium – the Palisade Calligraphy Black is offered only in conjunction with Abyss Black or Creamy White hues.
Driveline variants continue to include Hyundai’s 3.8-litre V6 petrol and front-wheel drive combination, or the long-serving 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in conjunction with the South Korean brand’s H-Trac all-wheel drive system.
Both drivetrain options run an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The Hyundai Palisade continues to take the fight to segment stalwarts including the Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger. Within the Large SUV under $70K segment the Hyundai Palisade places 12th overall with year-to date sales of 2754 units.
Segment winners include the Toyota LandCruiser Prado (12,825 unit sales YTD to the end of September), Isuzu MU-X (10,862), Ford Everest (10,383), Subaru Outback (10,034), Toyota Kluger (8016), Kia Sorento (7177), Hyundai Santa Fe (4810), Mazda CX-9 (4226), Mazda CX-8 (3846), Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (3374), and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (3047).
“(The) 2024 Palisade builds on the renowned appeal and value of our flagship large SUV with the contemporary new Calligraphy Black Ink variant and additional standard features across the range,” remarked Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive officer, Ted Lee.
2024 Hyundai Palisade pricing*:
Elite (a) |
$66,800 |
(+$900) |
Elite AWD (a) |
$70,800 |
(+$900) |
Calligraphy (a) |
$75,900 |
(+$935 over Highlander) |
Calligraphy AWD (a) |
$79,900 |
(+$1530 over Highlander) |
Calligraphy Black Ink (a) |
$76,900 |
New variant |
Calligraphy Black Ink AWD (a) |
$80,900 |
New variant |
*Pricing excludes on-road costs.