As we continue talking about our Supercars.com.GH December Car of the Month, let’s talk about what really matters in family SUV ownership – how the Palisade drives! This isn’t about setting lap records or bragging about 0-60 times at dinner parties. It’s about creating a serene cocoon that glides over Ghana’s diverse roads while keeping your family comfortable, safe, and relaxed, whether you’re navigating Accra’s chaotic morning traffic or cruising toward Cape Coast for weekend getaways. The Palisade proves that refinement, comfort, and capability matter far more than raw horsepower!
3.5L V6 Power
Under that wide, flat hood sits a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque – numbers that might not impress spec-sheet racers but tell only part of the story! This naturally aspirated powerplant delivers smooth, predictable, linear power that builds naturally as revs rise toward the 6,400 rpm redline. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts with the refinement you’d expect from Hyundai’s luxury Genesis brand, slipping seamlessly between gears without the jerky behavior common in this segment.
Sure, the 8.0-second 0-60 mph time won’t win drag races, but here’s what matters – highway merges feel confident, power delivery is predictable for easy maneuvering through traffic, and the engine operates with exceptional smoothness that keeps the cabin refined. The available all-wheel-drive system with dedicated Tow mode enables up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, perfect for families needing to haul boats or trailers to weekend adventures!
Lexus-Level Serenity at Hyundai Prices
Here’s where the Palisade absolutely excels and leaves competitors scrambling! The retuned suspension, combined with the stretched 116.9-inch wheelbase, creates a ride quality that testers describe as achieving “Lexus-level interior solitude.” The Palisade glides over poor-quality roads without upsetting the cabin or turning the rear seats into shaking messes – crucial for Ghana’s sometimes-challenging road surfaces!
Even riding on massive 21-inch wheels (standard on Calligraphy trim), the Palisade isolates impacts beautifully from the cabin while controlling body motion exceptionally well. Sound-dampening materials throughout – from the undertray to wheel well arches, plus acoustic glass surrounding the cabin and tires lined with sound-absorbing foam – create an impressively quiet environment. Wind noise only becomes noticeable around 75 mph, while the engine’s pleasant growl never becomes intrusive.
Confidence Without Pretense
The Palisade doesn’t pretend to be a sports car, and that’s perfectly fine! Light steering effort makes navigating tight parking lots or Accra’s congested streets surprisingly easy for such a substantial vehicle, while feedback from the front tires transmits through the wheel to ensure driver confidence. The Palisade feels bigger than it is through bends with minimal body roll, making passengers comfortable even when tackling winding roads through the Eastern Region.
The suspension strikes that magical balance between comfort and control – soft enough to absorb bumps gracefully, firm enough to prevent excessive floating or wallowing that causes motion sickness in passengers. This is a family-first SUV that prioritizes keeping everyone relaxed and comfortable over delivering thrilling driving dynamics!
Respectable Numbers, Hybrid Excellence
The V6 Palisade delivers EPA-rated 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with front-wheel drive (18/24 mpg with AWD). Real-world testing achieved 25 mpg on highway routes – respectable for a nearly-5,000-pound three-row SUV! But here’s the exciting part – the Palisade Hybrid arriving in November delivers game-changing efficiency with an estimated 34 mpg combined while producing 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder plus electric motor combination!
The hybrid’s seamless operation means the turbocharged engine frequently shuts off at highway speeds, with the electric motor quietly taking over for seconds or even minutes while descending grades. Combined with an 18-gallon fuel tank, the hybrid promises over 600 miles of cruising range – meaning fewer fuel stops on those long upcountry journeys!
XRT Pro: Surprising Off-Road Capability
The adventure-ready XRT Pro trim adds one inch of ground clearance (8.4 inches total), all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and terrain-specific driving modes for Mud, Sand, and Snow. Testing on 18-degree slopes with offset moguls and melon-sized rocks proved the Palisade XRT Pro handles challenging terrain far better than expected, with the Sand mode aggressively sending power to wheels with traction while Mud mode provides fine throttle control for rock gardens!
The Hyundai Palisade isn’t just our Supercars.com.GH December Car of the Month – it’s proof that refined performance, exceptional ride quality, and genuine capability create better family experiences than raw power ever could! Discover more at Supercars.com.GH!