Upcoming Fortuner Rival Driven Before Launch! » MotorOctane

To neutralize the dominance of the Toyota Fortuner, one of the best-selling automakers – Hyundai, is all set to launch an XL-size 7-seater. We are talking about the Hyundai Palisade that we recently drove in Indonesia! Read along to know what the SUV offers & its shocking price!
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XL Size SUV!

Before coming to the drive, take a look at how big the Palisade is! After all, buyers prefer Fortuner for its road presence, right? So, compared to the Fortuner, the Palisade is 185mm longer and 120mm wider. Also, the wheelbase is 155mm longer at 2900mm! So, the Palisade surely has an excellent road presence! What also complements the size of the SUV is the design. Upfront, it gets a big fat grille, along with vertically slatted LED DRLs and LED headlamps. And thanks to the muscular bonnet, the Palisade looks very intimidating.

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The side profile is comparatively calm! No drama, just the sheer length of the SUV. Globally, the model comes with massive 21-inch alloy wheels. However, we can expect the India-spec model to be around 19 inches.

If you are driving behind a Palisade, all you will see is a Mafia-like SUV leading the way! The rear profile largely remains simple, but the boxy shape adds to the SUV’s character. It gets large LED taillamps and 2 cameras! 2 cameras? For what?

Hyundai Palisade Review – So Many Features!

Hyundai, being Hyundai, has loaded the Palisade with a long list of features! It gets features like – 

• 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• 14-speaker Bose Sound System
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Powered Folding 2nd & 3rd Row Seats
• 100 W USB-C Charging Ports
• Powered Tailgate
• Multi Drive Modes
• Heated Seats (All 3 Rows)
• Ventilated Seats (1st & 2nd Rows)

Also, the 2 cameras we mentioned, one of them is a reverse camera, while the other transfers data to the IRVM for a clear view of what’s behind! Similar to the digital IRVM we get in the Harrier.ev. 

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Overall, the interior feels very upmarket. The majority of the cabin is surrounded by soft-touch materials that uplift the overall ambience of the Palisade. Also, the horizontal layout of the dashboard enhances the overall width of the car! And remember the dimensions we shared? Well, those numbers truly translate to impressive cabin space! Sit on any seat of the SUV and you will never feel a lack of space. The third row also has impressive space & comfort for short to medium drives.

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Driving Experience

But how does it feel to drive? In one word – comfortable. The suspension is set up really well. The Pallisade soaks up most of the bumps in its stride, ensuring a pleasant ride. When driving, you are seated higher than any other Hyundai, putting you in a commanding posture. However, when compared to the Fortuner’s seating position, the Pallisade’s seating is still lower. And even being a long SUV, the turning radius is surprisingly good & U-turns are not much of a struggle. Moving on to the driving dynamics, both engine options are quite punchy. Hyundai offers 2 powertrain options: a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine (277bhp & 422Nm) and a 2.5-litre hybrid turbo petrol engine (329bhp & 461Nm). Both these engine options are paired with an 8-speed AT. The hybrid setup gives decent mileage and has good pickup under sudden acceleration!

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Hyundai Palisade Review – Launch & Price

Talking about launch, Hyundai has confirmed that it will launch the new Palisade in India in 2028! Also, it is possible that the SUV might receive a minor facelift, bringing in new features! And now comes the most interesting part – price. Now, by reading our experience with Palisade, you might think the SUV will cost a lot! Well, Hyundai has some other plans! For India, the brand will localise the Palisade and will price it very aggressively. In fact, you can expect the Palisade to be priced anywhere between Rs 50 lakh & Rs 60 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).

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So, will you consider the Palisade over the Toyota Fortuner?