FAMILY CAR REVIEW: 2021 HYUNDAI PALISADE

So… How big is the boot of the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade? How good is storage in the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

When using only the first two rows of seats, I could fit 21 shopping bags in the boot of the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade, which is one more than the Nissan Pathfinder, two more than the Toyota Kluger, four more than the Mazda CX-9 but still less than the Kia Carnival that held 24 shopping bags in the previous model (we are still to test the boot capacity of the new 2021 Ka Carnival although Kia says it's even bigger now).

The boot space and its functionality are really important. I like to have a big boot space and little side wells or areas I can divide things into. So something I don’t want to move around while I’m driving such as Tulsi’s lunch bag or her wet swimming gear can be sectioned off in a little well where it’s not going to spill or get squashed by the rest of the things in the boot.

Hooks for securing shopping bags to are also favourites of mine, I like being able to secure the bag containing more fragile things like eggs so they don’t move around on the journey.

I measure the boot space in freezer shopping bags, prams and dogs. Not because I think all there is to a mum’s life is food shopping, prams and dogs. (Although it can feel like it sometimes!!) But because these are visually mesurable items we can all associate with. For me, the car company boot measurement of litres is not an amount I can easily visualise and 400L in one car may differ in usability to that in another due to the configuration or shape of the space.

The twin side-by-side stroller fits in the boot of the Palisade with thirteen shopping bags beside it.

The tandem stroller fits in the boot of the Hyundai Palisade, with fifteen shopping bags beside it.

The single stroller fits in the boot of the Palisade with fifteen shopping bags beside it.

The compact stroller fits in the boot of the Hyundai Palisade with seventeen shopping bags around it.

Or an extra-large dog fits in the boot easily and the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade comes with a carpet for the boot floor which makes it nice and flat for dogs, boot suppers and for emergency nappy changes!

When you are using all seven or eight seats in the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade the boot is a really practical size for a family and will hold eight shopping bags. This is comparable to the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Kluger that both hold eight shopping bags too. The Mazda CX-9 will hold six shopping bags and previous model 2019 Kia Carnival would hold ten (we are still to test the boot capacity of the new 2021 Kia Carnival).

A twin side-by-side stroller will fit in the boot of the Hyundai Palisade when using all seven or eight seats, which is really good as inevitably if you need an eight-seater car you need a pram that carries two kiddies and you can fit a few shopping bags beside it.

The tandem pram fits in the boot with two shopping bags beside it as well.

The single pram fits in the boot with three shopping bags.

The compact stroller fits in the boot of the Hyundai Palisade when using all three rows of seats with seven shopping bags around it.

The boot floor is nice and flat which is good for emergency nappy changes and a small dog will fit when using all three rows of seats in the Palisade too!

The retractable roller blind is stored underneath the boot floor in a large plastic storage space. We found this good for storing wet or fragile items to separate them from the rest of the boot as it can be easily wiped clean.

There is a thoughtful bungee rope and hook to hold the boot floor open while you are using this space.

Storage in the cabin of the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade is really good throughout. In the third row there are double cupholders on both sides that are good sizes for a reusable coffee cup and water bottle. As well as USB sockets on either side too.

In the second row there are FANTASTIC double cup holders in the doors. We found these great with our family as kids can reach their own water bottles or cups while you are driving along.

There are also long storage wells in the door handles and small door bins that will only hold a 600ml bottle.

There are map pockets on the back of both front seats. They will hold a book or an iPad and there are nets on the front handle for a phone.

There are USB chargers in the second-row seats too for passengers to charge devices while travelling along.

And a 12V socket in the back of the central console.

In the Highlander model I tested, there are captain's chairs so there is no central seat with a fold-down armrest containing cup holders. However, I'm pretty sure there are some in eight-seater bench seat models.

In the front of the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade, there is some more great in-cabin storage. My favourite being the under central console handbag or shoe storage area! Finally!  there is also a USB and 12V socket down there too.

In the central console, there are two cup holders that rotate out from the side of the storage area, so you can retract them if you are not using them.

They will hold a disposable or reusable coffee cup and large refillable water bottle all fit well too. Beside them is a wireless phone charging pad with USB socket. There is also a retractable lid for this storage area too.

The central console box is a nice big size, it has charging sockets inside and a sunglasses tray in the top of it.

There is no glasses case in the ceiling but there is a conversation mirror and lit vanity mirrors in both front visors.

The glove box is a practical size in the new Hyundai Palisade and will hold an iPad and wallet with the manual.

The door bins in the front are big enough for a large refillable water bottle and there are storage wells in the door handles too.

How noisy is the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade? How good is the media system in the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Highlander I tested had the diesel engine but was surprisingly quiet inside while driving because you are well cushioned from the road and engine noise like you are in a luxury car such as the Audi Q7 or BMW X7.

The media system in the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade is modern and easy to navigate.

All models of the new Palisade have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are some great features for families within the media system that we enjoyed during our week of family testing. Firstly is ‘sounds of nature'. This is a variety of pre-recorded white noise at the end of your fingertips! There is calm ocean waves, rainy day, warm fireplace, lively forest, snowy walk and open-air cafe. This was so helpful for us with a newborn, she LOVES the calm ocean waves and having it ready to go in the stereo for every journey made it simple and convenient. (I have actually recorded it to my phone to play in other test vehicles that don't have it!!)

‘Voice memos' are handy to record things you think of while driving but can't write down. Often the only time I get to myself is while I'm driving after drop off and that's when I remember my ‘to do' list! Think Kel in Kath and Kim recording sausage recipes! Another good one is recording those priceless conversations you have with kids in the car… you can even download your recordings to a USB stick to hear them on your computer later.

Driver talk is a good function for families, it amplifies your voice through to the third-row passengers. This is quite useful so you don't have to shout to be heard and we found it fun for in-car family Karaoke!

The Palisade also has a Quiet mode function which allows you to move the sound to the front speakers and limit the volume so it doesn't disturb rear passengers. We found this useful once the kids were settled in the back or asleep so music didn't disturb them and I could still listen to it in the front.

In the Highlander model I tested there a lot of extras, like the 360-degree camera that you can turn on easily with a button in the central console. You can even turn on the rear camera while you are driving as the kids love to watch it but also for visibility for the driver too. The Palisade is a large SUV and when it is loaded up with child seats that rearview camera really helps you see out of the back.

The Palisade Highlander also has indicator camera views that come up in the screen in front of the driver. This is great for seeing down the side of this large SUV while turning or changing lanes.

The new 2021 Hyundai Palisade is not a noisy car full of beeps (thankfully for families). One of the only ones is a rear seat reminder when you get out of the car, that beeps at you to remind you to look in the back.

There is also a clear seatbelt removal visual beside the media screen for both rear rows of seats.

Becoming a parent I soon realised there are some noises and sounds I feel are unnecessary and I could happily live without if it meant my baby stayed asleep!!

That often the distraction of my screaming, distressed baby is more dangerous when driving than not having a lane departure warning for example.

If it is the lane departure warning beeping that creates distress with my baby then which is safest?

It’s where I think we need to be able to strike a balance and choose when we can mute the warnings or swap them to a vibration in the steering wheel or flashing light perhaps?

A lot of these noises come with the increase in technology and especially linked to safety features and alerts. For me these all have their place.

Another thing I have realised is I spend my time in a lot more places where small children roam, parks, beaches, play gyms, swimming lessons, daycare centre etc. I have become more aware that when I’m reversing or manouvering in the car parks I have to tripple check for small children running around behind me or being in my blind spot when reversing. For this I LOVE reversing cameras, I just don’t like their beeping sounds!!

I have become so much more aware of safety and potential accidents or hazards since having a child and so I love the peace of mind that I get from the cameras and sensors combined with my own vision from windows and mirrors as I don’t trust cameras alone.

The reversing camera in the Hyundai Palisade Highlander is excellent, it fills the whole screen and has a bird's eye view as well. There are many different views you can select on the left of the screen…

…and you can easily mute the parking sensors with a button in the central console

Instead of a traditional gear lever, the Hyundai Palisade has press button gears that are easily accessed on the central console.

The Highlander model Palisade that my family tested also has heated and cooled seats in the front and back and a heated steering wheel.

The indicators are not too loud in the Hyundai Palisade and the doors and windows can be locked from the driver's door control panel. In the Highlander model there is a child lock button that locks them both at the same time. I found the doors were not too loud to open and close.

You can also turn off lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning with buttons down by the driver's right knee.

How many child seats fit in the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

The Hyundai Palisade is available as a seven or eight-seater. In the seven-seater tested here, there are two captain's chairs in the second row.

Both have ISOFix points in the base and although they're not within plastic guides they are easy to connect to.

There are top tether anchorages in the back of both captains chairs in the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade. They are within labelled plastic guides and easy to connect to.

Two child seats fit really nicely in the captain's chairs and give great access through to the third-row with forward-facing child seats installed.

In the eight-seater, the second-row is a bench seat with three top tether anchorages and ISOFix in the two outer seats.

I haven't tested the Hyundai Palisade with a bench seat yet but I would presume it to fit three child seats across because the car is as wide as the new Kia Carnival.

In the third-row seats, there is one set of ISOFix points, which are within plastic guides and easy to connect to.

Two clearly labelled top tether anchorages within plastic guides are located on the third-row seatbacks and easily accessible through the boot.

I found one child seat fitted well in the third row, with the flexibility of positioning it either in the centre or to the side. With a child seat in the central position, we found a passenger could sit on either side comfortably.

Legroom is excellent throughout the Palisade. In the third-row, there is plenty of kick room and headroom.

We found that with a passenger in the third-row and a rear-facing child seat in the second-row captain chair, then a 184cm+ passenger can sit in front of it in the front passenger seat.

With a forward-facing child seat in the second-row a 184cm+ driver can sit in the driver's seat.

With the new Hyundai Palisade seven-seater there are two methods of accessing the third-row seats. The captain's chairs give an excellent walkway through to the third-row.

Or you if you are using the ISOFix in the second-row seat you can slide the captain's chair forward, giving you enough space to walk through to the third row.

Posting bub into their child seats in the second-row from inside and outside the car is nice and easy. Being a big SUV, the ceiling is nice and high and there is plenty of interior space.

Australia being a country of weather extremes; blazing sun and torrential rain, mean you may find it easier to put Bub into their seat from inside the car sometimes. If it’s hot you can get the air-con going, cool the car down and not stand out in the sun while you fasten them in or shelter from the rain and not get soaked yourself whilst you’re doing it. So it is important to test whether Bub can be easily installed from either direction!

I found there is room to feed bub in the first, second or third row. The Palisade is very spacious.

How comfortable is the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade? And How good is the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade to drive?

The front seats of the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade are nice and comfortable. In the top-spec Highlander model, they are available in either red or beige leather and in the base model the seats are black leather.

For a mum travelling in the back with bub, the second-row captain's chairs are very comfortable.

As are the third-row seats. They have great head and legroom and it is easy to walk through to the third row.

We found it a squeeze to get two people beside a child seat when it is in the side position…

…however when it is in the central position then a passenger could easily sit on either side.

The Highlander seats are perforated leather which will be just as hard to clean as woven upholstery.

For the first year of my first daughters life when we would go out as a family, if I wasn’t driving, I would travel in the back with her so it’s important to check the back seat comfort as you may be spending a lot of time in them! They were never something I gave any thought to before but I definitely notice a good or bad back seat now!

The steering wheel is fully adjustable in/out and up/down. The cruise controls are on the right on the steering wheel and are easy to use. I found the cruise control to be very accurate on both motorways and at lower speeds on undulating roads which is great.

There are eight air-conditioning vents in the Hyundai Palisade. Four across the front dashboard; two below the media screen and one at either end of the dash…

… and round air-conditioning vents in the ceiling of both the second and third rows.

There are air-con controls in the back of the central console box for the rear vents.

This can be over-ridden by the controls in the front to lock the rear air-conditioning if there are fiddly fingers in the back!

In the front, there are easy to rear air-conditioning controls in the central console.

There are handles above both rear doors which are well-positioned to hold a baby toy for rear-facing passengers and window blinds built into the rear doors of the Highlander model.

There are lights in the second-row of the Palisade that are easily reachable while driving.

I have found our kids do not like travelling in the dark in the car so if it gets dark whilst travelling then I reach back and turn the interior light on for her. So it’s really important for me that I can reach the rear ceiling light.

Also if I am traveling home and it is getting near to bed time and I DEFINITELY DON’T want her to fall asleep in the car as even a five-minute nap in the car means bed time is all over!!!! I lean back and pop the light on so it’s not dark and try to keep her awake!! Along with screaming/singing at the top of my voice!!!

It is also useful when there are lights situated above the doors where the handles are usually positioned. These are good for when putting baby into their child seats when visibility is poor, so you do not have to reach across them to a light situated in the ceiling centrally etc.

Visibility in the new 2021 Hyundai Palisade is really helped by the rearview and indicator cameras in the Highlander model. However, in the Highlander model with captains chairs and only one child seat in the third-row visibility is actually very good for such a large SUV.

One thing I have noticed since being a mum is I hate it when I reach a destination or get home from being out and my daughter has either done really well in the car or she is screaming her head off and I have done really well to keep it together for the entire journey (usually the latter!!) and it takes 10 minutes to park the car! It can be really stressful. Usually I dread parking new cars as they take longer in our tight apartment block carpark, but the Palisade was simple to park as the visibility with the cameras is very good!

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has yet to be given an ANCAP safety rating. It does come with six airbags as standard including third-row curtain airbags.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has a seatbelt removal warning for both rear rows of seats, that is clearly visible next to the media screen.

As standard, all models of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade come with adaptive cruise control (ACC),  blind spot monitor (BSM), driver attention warning (DAW), forward collision warning (FCW), high beam assist (HBA), lane keep assist (LKA), lane follow assist (LFA), rear collision avoidance (RCA), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), rear occupant alert (ROA), tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and trailer ability assist (TSA). The top-spec Palisade Highlander comes with safe exit assist also (SEA).