The recently updated Hyundai Palisade is quite a popular large SUVs in SA right now, but is it a good choice for new and/or young motorists? Let's take a closer look at what this SUV offers for new drivers with a large budget.
(Smaller budget These are the affordable, used SUVs we recommend for young drivers.)
A spacious and practical cabin
One of the standout features of the Palisade is its incredibly spacious interior. There is ample space for passengers in all three rows, making it ideal for transporting kids, family, or friends. The cabin is also packed with useful storage compartments, many cupholders, and USB charging ports all the way to the rear to keep everyone's devices powered up on the go. (Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Palisade).
For new drivers who will likely be carpooling with other young passengers, the Palisade's practical cabin is a major plus. There's plenty of room for everyone and their gear and the boot is massive too.
Buying used? Learn all the most important stuff about the 2021-2022 Palisade model.
User-friendly tech and safety features
Hyundai has equipped the Palisade with the latest high-tech driver assistance and infotainment features. This includes a reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a large touchscreen interface. For new drivers still getting comfortable behind the wheel, these modern features can provide useful assistance. Just bear in mind that the Palisade is also rather long and wide, so don't think you'll be able to squeeze into small parking spaces like you did when you learned to drive in a smaller car.
Related: Hyundai Palisade colours and price guide
The Palisade also comes standard with important active safety tech like automatic emergency braking. This can help prevent accidents or pesky fender-benders by automatically applying the brakes if the system detects there's a chance of crashing into the vehicle in front. For new drivers who are more prone to accidents, this safety net is worth its weight in gold. (This feature has saved my bacon once or twice.)
Smooth and comfortable ride quality
The Palisade employs a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and an efficient 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. This provides a quiet and comfortable drive without feeling underpowered. The soft suspension expertly soaks up bumps and dips in the road, limiting noise and vibrations inside the cabin.
For new drivers, this smooth and relaxed ride quality helps build confidence behind the wheel. The Palisade feels planted and stable at highway speeds, steering is light and comfortable, and makes the Palisade easy to manoeuvre.
The different driving and off-road modes also make driving on different surfaces a complete no-brainer.
Reasonable running costs
With fuel consumption of around 7.5L/100km and service intervals of 15,000km, the Palisade does not cost a fortune to run. The Palisade 2.2D Elite is competitively priced at and comes standard with a 7-year/200,000km warranty.
However - as we've mentioned, it's not an affordable option for new drivers who are cash-strapped and have to buy their own car.
Verdict
For new and young drivers seeking a family-friendly SUV that is safe, comfortable, and packed with modern tech, the Hyundai Palisade has it all. Its user-friendly design, smooth performance and high safety ratings make it a sensible choice for those who have a budget for a car just north of R 1.2 million. Search for new and used Palisade models here.
ENDS
