Hyundai Palisade Elite lands in Australia
Hyundai adds new, more affordable Elite variant to its Palisade family SUV range.
Hyundai has lowered the entry point of its Palisade family SUV range with the introduction of a new variant priced more than $13,000 below the previous entry-level model.
The eight-seat Palisade Elite features the same generously proportioned body, roomy interior and efficient 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain as its more expensive stablemates, but at $76,500 its retail price shaves a substantial $13,400 off the price of the Palisade Calligraphy eight-seat model.
The new Palisade Elite variant is also positioned $1,000 below the retail price of the top-spec variant of Hyundai’s best-selling seven-seat SUV, the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Hybrid AWD.
At launch in November 2025 Hyundai’s all-new Palisade was offered in top-grade Calligraphy trim exclusively, with the only grade choice being the standard eight-seat or the more expensive seven-seat with captain’s chairs costing $90,900.
The introduction of the more affordable Palisade Elite signals Hyundai’s desire to place its hero family wagon on a more competitive footing with large SUV rivals including the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento, as well as a growing band of more keenly priced Chinese rivals including the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and BYD Sealion 8.
Compared with the Palisade Calligraphy the Elite features unique exterior design cues including a specific front grille design, new five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, black and silver-coloured lower bumpers and side skirts, black wheel arches and tailgate detailing.
Inside, the Palisade Elite gets the same twin, 12.3-inch digital screens and multimedia displays as Calligraphy variants, and the same 14-speaker Bose premium audio system.
However, the seats are clad in a mix of black leather and cloth trims as opposed to Nappa leather, with acoustic front door glass for improved noise reduction, privacy glass for second- and third-row occupants, and solar-controlled front glass.
Under its expansive bonnet is a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid driving all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, with the combination delivering combined outputs of 245kW/460NM and claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.8L/100km.
As with its Calligraphy stablemates, the new Palisade variant has benefited from local ride and handling tuning and development of its suspension which comprises front struts and multi-link rear with passive self-levelling dampers. Braked towing capacity remains a modest 2000kg.
On the safety front, the Elite joins the Calligraphy variants in boasting a five-star ANCAP rating and features a full suite of ADAS technologies, including Smart Cruise Control 2, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, and a Driver Monitoring System.
Other standard features include heated, two-tone leather steering wheel, head-up display, blind-spot view monitor, smartphone compatible digital key system, Vehicle to Load (V2L), tri-zone climate control, dual sunroof, and rear door curtains.
The limited range of options include premium paint ($750), colour-coded interior ($295) and seven seat captain’s chairs ($1,000).
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