Page 39 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

COVER STORY

LAYOUT, HYUNDAI PALISADE

68.9”

67.2” 67.6” 114.2”
77.8” 196.1”

the largest SUV of the group, we noted
2020 Hyundai Palisade
plenty of body roll. Rechtin experienced
HEADROOM, F/M/R 39.3/38.3/37.2 in awkward head toss even when going
LEGROOM, F/M/R 44.1/42.4/31.4 in over smaller bumps, and he commented
SHOULDER ROOM, F/M/R 61.2/60.8/55.2 in on the suspension undulations. And
CARGO VOLUME BEHIND 86.4/45.8/18.0 cu ft although its engine felt pretty power-
F/M/R ful, it whined like an old-time Hoover
CURB WEIGHT; DIST, F/R 4,459 lb; 56/44% vacuum with a full bag when asked for
GROUND CLEARANCE 7.9 in more power.
APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 18.5/21.2 deg The virtually identical Koreans shine The Palisade’s AWD system has a center diff
inside and out, but underneath they lock that splits the torque 50/50 front/rear.
TURNING CIRCLE 38.7 ft
aren’t outstanding. The Telluride and the
TOWING CAPACITY 5,000 lb
Palisade share the same powertrain—a Neither feels slow, but a bump in
at the track, the Pilot tied for first (along 3.8-liter V-6 engine that delivers 291 hp horsepower and torque wouldn’t hurt.
with the Traverse and Highlander) in and 262 lb-ft mated to an eight-speed If the Koreans need more power, the
60–0 braking, stopping in 116 feet. gearbox. And although their performance Highlander needs more road isolation.
Whereas most of the SUVs we tested numbers are nearly identical, they’re not Whether it’s the wind or road noise,
were equipped with all-wheel drive, top of the class. Seabaugh complained the Highlander’s cabin was pretty loud.
our Traverse was front-drive only. Its about the lack of low-end torque, and Its eight-speed automatic and 295-hp,
3.6-liter V-6 is good for 310 hp and 266 Walton described the transmission as 263-lb-ft 3.5-liter V-6 are carried over
lb-ft of torque, making it the SUV with “lackadaisical.” from the previous generation. Seabaugh
the most horsepower, and its nine-speed In the real world, the Palisade’s criticized the way the engine and the
gearbox provided smooth shifts during ride feels stiffer and sportier than the transmission played together (or rather,
our drive. We also enjoyed the steering Telluride’s plush suspension, and the didn’t), adding that the “lack of powertrain
precision and heft. But because this is Kia’s brakes outperformed the Hyundai’s. refinement is far more galling than its

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