The stocky 2021 Hyundai Palisade is a model that's launching in Malaysia this year, with aims to turn heads away from the equally-massive Mazda CX-9.

However, we aren't the first in this region to get the model - Indonesia, and most recently Singapore introduced the SUV, the latter of which we'll be taking a look at here.

Bigger wheels for Singapore

The Palisade generally looks the same across markets, with the exception of different wheels or colour options.

Singapore's sole variant rolls around on 20-inch wheels, two inches larger than the Indonesian-spec Palisade.

8-seats, not 7

Singapore's Palisade is the 8-seater variant, which offers regular bench-type second- and third-row seats.

Up front, there's a 7-inch instrument cluster, complementing the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are thankfully standard, as is the wireless smartphone charger.

Also read: Why your next car should come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay

Other nifty features include ventilated and heated front seats (10-way power-adjustble driver's seat too), double sunroofs, and a powered tailgate.

Safety - Basic safety systems

Standard on the Palisade is a blind spot monitor with rear-cross traffic alert, as well as a 360-degree camera, Safe Exit Assist (SEA), and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA).

Sadly there's no mention of adaptive cruise control, which is a shame considering how grand the rest of the car is.

Rounding up the Palisade's safety suite are 6 airbags and the requisite ISOFIX tethers.

These safety features are pretty much level-pegging with the Indonesian-spec car.

Performance - better in Malaysia

Here's our trump card - we already know the Malaysian-spec Palisade will be powered by a 3.8-litre direct-injected V6 engine that produces 291 PS and 355 Nm.

In Singapore, the Palisade comes with a smaller-capacity V6: a 3.5-litre mill, making 277 PS and 336 Nm.

The Indonesian-spec Palisade meanwhile comes with a 2.2-litre diesel, churning out 200 PS and 440 Nm.

Hyundai Palisade in Malaysia

As mentioned above, the Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) will be introducing the Palisade here. Just when is still unclear.

Also read: 2021 Hyundai Palisade launching in Malaysia soon – 3.8L V6, 291 PS/355 Nm

The spyshots we ran before showed a left-hand drive model, so it's the training unit and not too indicative of how the car's local specs.

Also read: Launching in Malaysia soon: 20 pics why the Hyundai Palisade is prettier than the Mazda CX-9