August 2019 Issue #32 August 2019 Issue #32 | Page 42

CAR
2020 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade makes the three-row segment more compelling.
Looking for a luxurious three-row crossover SUV? You might want to seek out a sec-
ond mortgage while you’re at it. Many high-end manufacturers ask more than $70,000
for their most basic options. But you shouldn’t spend big dollars on a luxury-badged
crossover based solely on brand power. At the very least, you should also check out
more mainstream options like the new Hyundai Palisade, which is a competent, com-
fortable, near-lux three-row that won’t break the bank.
Sure, the Palisade isn’t what we’d call “conventionally attractive,” but at a minimum,
Hyundai deserves credit for taking a risk. The Palisade looks unique, and it’s almost
pretty in the top-tier Limited trim. Almost. Overlook the oddly shaped, thickly framed
cascading grille – the only feature we’re not totally fond of – and you’ll see the Palisade
has more appealing angles.
The slim upper LEDs, which act as both running lights and turn signals, give way to
square lower lightboxes (dubbed “Crocodile Eyes” by designers). The combination
looks aggressive. Separated by a thin piece of the front body panel, the two housings
interlock via an LED running light that extends from the right-hand corner of the upper
housing into the left side of the larger, lower box. The headlights, like those in the Kia
Soul, make up the lower portion of the fixture, oddly enough.
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