Association plays a powerful role in our purchase decisions. We admire the watches and clothes worn by celebrities and personalities, desire to visit the places they travel, and even crave the food they eat. This drive for association is at the core of human aspiration.

The same principle applies to the cars we drive. Whether it's the iconic Aston Martin DB5 from James Bond or the legendary Toyota Corolla (AE86) known for its "drifty" tofu deliveries, we are drawn to the cars that cool people/characters drive. But what about a car driven by a King?

When the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong was seen driving a Hyundai Palisade 3.8 GDI, it sparked significant interest. The Palisade stood out because it wasn't your typical Toyota Alphard or Rolls-Royce we often see. Perhaps it even offered something better. So if it's driven by our former Agong, could it be the right choice for you? Let's find out.

Overview

Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) launched the Hyundai Palisade facelift in January 2023. Retaining the same 4 variants as before and offered in both 7- and 8-seater configurations, prices increased by approximately RM 40,000 across all variants compared to the pre-facelift model that was launched in late 2021.

• 2.2 Diesel 8-seater: From RM 368,888
• 3.8 GDI 8-seater: From RM 378,888
• 2.2 Diesel 7-seater: From RM 389,888
• 3.8 GDI 7-seater: From RM 399,888

This new facelifted Palisade adopts Hyundai’s new ‘Parametric Jewel’ design language which received and redesigned front end, 20-inch alloy wheels and an updated rear bumper and skid plate.

Also read: 2023 Hyundai Palisade Facelift launched in Malaysia - bolder, improved ADAS, priced from RM 369k

Interior updates include a redesigned dashboard with slim AC vents, a new multi-spoke steering wheel, and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with a new user interface, split screen, and multi-Bluetooth connection capability. Standard features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a larger 2.6-inch Head-Up Display (HUD), and upgraded 3 Amp USB charging ports.

The powertrains remain unchanged with the 200 PS/440 Nm 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine and as featured here, the 3.8-litre 'Lambda II' V6 petrol engine delivering 295 PS and 355 Nm. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front wheels in petrol variants or all four wheels through Hyundai's Htrac AWD system in diesel variants.

Safety kit includes the Hyundai SmartSense ADAS suite across all variants, including features like Smart Cruise Control, Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Multi-Collision Brake System High Beam Assist, and Lead Vehicle Departure Alert amongst others.

Rivals

As far as rivals go, the Palisade’s main competitors are the Mazda CX-9 and Volvo XC90 in the large 7-seater SUV category at the circa RM 400k price mark. Rivals are summarized as follows:

• Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV: 462 PS and 709 Nm/8AT/AWD: RM 434,888
• Mazda CX-9: 228 PS and 420 Nm/6AT/2WD: RM 328,000

Both the XC90 and CX-9 deliver more power and torque than the Palisade. Both also offer very adept on-road performance, but the Palisade counters with its large cabin space and the biggest boot of the trio. It is also the lightest of the three.

But it doesn't come cheap, with the CX-9 undercutting the Palisade by nearly RM 70k.

Exterior

The Palisade facelift model brought significant design updates, making its overall look more cohesive and imposing. These updates include a large new cascading grille, redesigned vertical DRLs, and sleek headlamps that command attention.

At the rear, petrol models feature updated taillights and a redesigned bumper, contributing to a fresh and refined look. The facelift also made the Palisade 20 mm longer at the front but 5 mm shorter at the rear. It also gets superb-looking 20-inch alloy wheels.

In my opinion, very few SUVs—notably the Range Rover and Lexus LX 570—shout ‘get out of my way’ as loudly when you approach a car from behind. Size does matter on the roads, so if muscling down the fast lane from KL to Johor is your thing (or a weekly journey), the Palisade will deliver in spades.

Interior

Getting inside the Palisade reveals a superbly spacious cabin, accentuated by light interior colours and a commanding view of the outside. This combination creates an airy and welcoming atmosphere.

The tan leather interior, while elegant, may be challenging to keep clean, but overall seat comfort is excellent, extending from the front to the second and 3rd-row seats.

However, the 2-seat configuration in the 2nd-row is not ideal for families, in my opinion, as it often relegates a child to the third row, making supervision difficult.

Despite this, access to and from the third row is good thanks to the tall roof height and adequately wide walkway between the 2nd-row seats.

The Palisade also features an updated 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which is user-friendly, complemented by physical buttons above the climate control panel for quick access to essential functions. Elsewhere, the 12.3-inch instrument cluster is also clear and legible.

On the downside, the absence of grab handles in the front row is a notable omission, particularly for elderly passengers who may struggle to exit such a tall vehicle. Additionally, while the suede headliner adds a touch of luxury, the dark and black plastics lower down in the cabin feel hard and scratchy. Perhaps most buyers will also expect more given the car's price point.

This raises the question of whether it would have been better if Hyundai applied higher-quality soft-touch materials on places such as the door panels rather than on the headliner, which is seldom noticed.

Refinement Levels

As for refinement, the Palisade again aces the test. With a superbly refined engine and excellent sound insulation, it delivers serene levels of cabin quietness and comfort.

Driving Experience

Given that the Palisade is a strong performer all around, its driving experience is no different. Starting with the engine, it’s a rare pleasure in this day and age to enjoy the supple burble of a well-built 3.8-liter V6 engine. With 295 PS and 335 Nm of torque, the Palisade delivers smooth and effortless power at low speeds and can quickly get up to the speed limit when needed.

Coupled with the 8-speed 'E-Shift' automatic transmission, gearshifts are silky smooth, both up and down the cogs. While there is a bit of hesitation in Eco and Comfort driving modes when needing the gearbox to downshift for overtaking, overall, it is well-calibrated.

When you push the pedal down hard, the engine revs up with gusto, accompanied by a raspy engine note, making light work of highway cruising up to around 160 km/h.

That said, given its soft and relaxed suspension setup, I'd wager most owners won't be snaking their Palisade up a twisty backroad. When driven more aggressively, the suspension loads up cohesively and the overall feel is stable, but the circa 1.9-tonne kerb weight can overwhelm the tyres rather quickly.

That said, body control is impressive given its size and comfort levels are superb in all three rows. The Palisade also flattens most bumps and handles typical Malaysian potholes without much bother. 

The 3.8-litre variants are offered only in front-wheel drive, and traction was an issue in our 0-100 km/h test, which delivered a best time of 8.6 seconds. While it's respectable, the Volvo XC90 and CX-90 will both accelerate to 100 km/h faster and handle twisty roads with a bit more finesse. 

On the upside though, the absence of a complex suspension setup and AWD drivetrain also means the Palisade is relatively easy to maintain, a notable advantage if you intend to drive the car for a long period.

Fuel Efficiency

Also note, that while it may have a relatively large engine, the Palisade does deliver decent fuel economy. In our fuel efficiency test, the Palisade was driven a total of 147.9 km consisting of a 50/50 mix of highway and city driving.

Requiring a top-up of 18.63 litres of fuel, it delivered an overall fuel efficiency of 12.59 litres/100 km, which is decent given the size and weight of the vehicle. The vehicle was also driven with up to four adult passengers for a portion of the test.

Conclusion

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade 3.8 is a compelling package. On the plus side, its imposing yet elegant design ensures it stands out on the road.

The refined drivetrain provides adequate power, while the cohesive suspension setup balances stability and comfort. The interior is both beautiful and well-built, featuring an easy-to-use infotainment system. Additionally, the simple and robust powertrain promises ease of maintenance, a significant advantage for long-term ownership.

However, there are a few drawbacks. The absence of grab handles in the front row is a notable oversight, particularly for a vehicle of this height. Some interior parts, especially the door cards, could benefit from better materials. Additionally, while the Palisade performs admirably on the road, rivals like the XC90 and CX-9 offer slightly better driving performance overall. 

Despite these shortcomings, the Palisade is an all-around lovable car that delivers a lot of technology and equipment for the money. However, it is still a Hyundai that is priced at RM 400k, which may seem either reasonable or excessive depending on your perspective.

Nevertheless, if the former Agong found it to be a worthy choice, why not join this very exclusive club?