2020 Hyundai Palisade

Every trim of the 2020 Palisade (SE, SEL, Limited) uses the 3.8L Lambda II naturally aspirated V6 rated at 291 hp. 2020 is the launch model year of the first generation, so nothing is carried over from an earlier year.

The V6 makes 262 lb-ft, peaking high at 5,200 rpm. It lacks the low-end pull of turbocharged rivals.

Car and Driver's instrumented test of a 2020 Palisade ran 0–60 mph in 7.2 seconds, mid-pack for a three-row mid-size SUV.

The naturally aspirated V6 is smooth and quiet, with no turbo lag or hybrid handoffs. It has to be revved to deliver its peak torque and feels stretched when the vehicle is fully loaded or towing.

The 8-speed torque-converter automatic shifts smoothly and unobtrusively, with no CVT drone. Kickdowns can be leisurely when passing.

The 5,000-lb rating applies across the lineup and matches the norm for three-row mid-size SUVs.

HTRAC AWD is optional on every 2020 trim, with a Snow drive mode and a center-lock function. There is no low range, and the fuller multi-terrain (Mud/Sand) modes only arrived with the 2023 refresh.

The Palisade is a road-focused unibody crossover with about 7.9 in of ground clearance and no skid plates, all-terrain tires or low range. The 2020 lineup has no rugged trim; the XRT arrived in 2023.

The 2020 Palisade offers a single powertrain, the 3.8L V6 with an 8-speed automatic, in FWD or AWD. There is no turbo, hybrid or plug-in alternative.

The volume SEL comes standard with FWD and returns 22 MPG combined; AWD drops that to 21. Both trail the segment's turbo-four and hybrid rivals.

FWD and AWD are both rated 19 MPG city, typical of a naturally aspirated V6 three-row SUV.

The 2020 FWD model is rated 26 MPG highway and the AWD model 24.

An 18.8-gallon tank at the EPA combined rating gives about 414 miles for FWD and 395 miles for AWD, adequate for road trips.

At EPA's standard assumptions, fuel costs an estimated $2,900 a year for FWD and $3,050 for AWD, among the higher figures for a mid-size gas SUV.

The 3.8L V6 runs on regular unleaded on every trim, with no premium-fuel requirement.

The 2020 Palisade is the launch year of the first generation (2020–2025, refreshed for 2023) and earns a 5-star NHTSA overall rating in both FWD and AWD form; rollover is the typical 4 stars for a tall three-row SUV.

Earned a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick — not the Plus, because the halogen headlights on SE/SEL trims rate Marginal. Small-overlap (driver and passenger), original moderate-overlap, original side and roof-strength results are all Good; IIHS's later updated side test applied to this body rates Marginal.

Every 2020 Palisade has Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Driver Attention Warning and High Beam Assist. But Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist and Safe Exit Assist are missing from the base SE (standard from SEL up) — the SE gained them later in the generation.

IIHS rates the standard system Superior in both vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime pedestrian front crash prevention. No nighttime pedestrian rating existed for the 2020 model year, so the night-pedestrian criterion in the top band is unproven rather than failed.

Where fitted, Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist brake actively rather than only alert, and Safe Exit Assist is a class-leading touch — but none of it is on the base SE, and the Blind-Spot View Monitor camera is Limited-only. No trailer-aware coverage despite the 5,000-lb tow rating.

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist (centering) are standard on every trim; reviewers generally describe Hyundai's centering as smooth and well calibrated, among the better mainstream systems in the class.

Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is standard on all trims, but Highway Driving Assist (ACC tied to lane centering, with speed-limit adjustment) is an SEL option and Limited standard. Refined where fitted, though the HDA 2 lane-change assist arrived only with the 2023 refresh.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on any 2020 Palisade trim; Highway Driving Assist requires hands on the wheel.

IIHS rates two variants: the Limited's LED projectors Good, but the halogen projectors on the SE and volume SEL only Marginal (inadequate left-side reach). High-beam assist is standard; not curve-adaptive. The Marginal volume-trim lamps are what cost the TSP+.

The tall seating position and large side glass give good forward and side sightlines, but thick D-pillars and third-row headrests limit the rearward view, typical of the class. Surround View Monitor and Blind View Monitor are Limited-only for 2020; the volume SEL relies on the rear camera.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Acceptable — workable, but the lower anchors are harder to reach than Good-rated rivals. Multiple positions carry full LATCH hardware, and wide rear doors with a one-touch sliding second row make multiple car seats livable.

The 2020 SE and volume SEL seat eight on a second-row bench. Captain's chairs, available on the SEL and standard on the Limited, cut that to seven.

Front headroom is generous for the class without a sunroof. The sunroof costs about 1.4 in.

Front legroom is near the top of the mid-size three-row class.

Second-row headroom is excellent, and even the third row clears 37 in.

Second-row legroom is among the most generous in the segment.

This is a genuine third row with 37.8 in of headroom and a 60/40 split. But 31.4 in of legroom suits adults only on short trips, and power fold/recline is limited to the SEL Premium package and the Limited.

Cargo space behind the second row is competitive for the class. The 18 cu ft behind the third row holds groceries or a stroller.

Maximum cargo space is solid for a mid-size three-row. It trails the Traverse and Atlas but beats most rivals.

The shift-by-wire floating console frees up a large storage tray beneath it, and there is an underfloor cargo bin and plentiful cupholders. The 115V outlet needs the SEL Convenience package or the Limited.

Reviewers praise the supportive front seats and the roomy second row. The SE's manual cloth seat and the wide console that crowds taller drivers keep it out of the top band.

The volume trims ride smoothly and stay composed on 18-in wheels, and self-leveling rear suspension helps loaded. The 20-in wheels (SEL Convenience, Limited) firm it up over broken pavement.

The cabin is quiet at cruise, with well-suppressed wind and road noise. Acoustic front side glass is not on the volume trims, and tire roar rises on the 20-in wheels.

Dual-zone automatic climate, second-row controls and third-row vents are standard. Heated front seats arrive on the SEL, heated wheel and second-row seats with the SEL Premium package, and ventilated front seats on the Limited. The SE gets no seat heating.

MY2020 is the launch year of the first-generation Palisade. It opened at $31,550 plus $1,045 destination for the SE FWD, which was keen pricing for a V6 three-row mid-size SUV.

The SEL is the volume trim, usually ordered with the $1,700 HTRAC AWD option, which comes to about $36.2K delivered. Treating SEL AWD as the volume configuration is an inference from the trim mix.

The 3.8L V6 and eight-speed automatic carry through 2020–2025 unchanged, so the new-car 5-year projection should track the later SEL's roughly $6.6K. It sits slightly lower because 2020 labor and parts costs were lower. Edmunds' current 2020 page prices a used purchase covering years 6–10, so it does not apply here.

CarEdge projects about 49% depreciation over five years for the Palisade. Buyers of 2020 models did somewhat better because they had paid pre-pandemic prices and then saw the 2021–2023 used-car price spike, but the Palisade still trails Toyota's three-rows on residuals.

Hyundai's 5-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty beats the 3/36 norm of Honda, Toyota and Ford.

The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage tops the band, though it applies to the original owner only.

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance launched with the 2020 model year and covers oil changes and tire rotations for 3 years/36,000 miles. It comes with 5-year unlimited-mile roadside assistance and a Blue Link trial. That beats Toyota's 2-year/25,000-mile ToyotaCare, while Kia and Honda offered no complimentary maintenance, but it covers basic services only.

$36,245 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (53% retained, or about $19,210) leaves about $17,035 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,400 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $23,435 in total.

2020 is the launch year of the first-generation Palisade, and the sources mark it down for that. Consumer Reports rates it less reliable than the average 2020 vehicle, while J.D. Power puts it in the Average band (72–77/100). Later model years of the same generation have scored better.

Hyundai sits above industry average in J.D. Power's dependability study, but it is not a consistent top-five dependability brand, and the legacy Theta II engine campaigns still weigh on its long-run record.

Five NHTSA campaigns cover MY2020. The worst is a park-outside fire-risk recall on the tow-hitch harness module, and the rest cover a 2020-only curtain-airbag bolt fix, wiper motor failure, seat-belt buckles and third-row curtain airbags. None touches the engine or transmission. Owners also widely complain about the windshield cracking easily.

The naturally aspirated 3.8L Lambda II V6 with Hyundai's in-house 8-speed automatic has no powertrain recall on MY2020 and is shared with the Kia Telluride. As a launch-year pairing in this application it lacks a high-mileage track record, and CR owners flagged exhaust-system issues.

At launch, reviewers praised the Palisade's near-luxury cabin and soft-touch surfaces for the price, especially on Limited. It ranks among the nicer mid-size three-row interiors, a step below the 2023 refresh.

Ulsan-built assembly is generally solid, but launch-year owner complaints about windshield cracking and below-average cabin insulation, plus the airbag-bolt production fix, keep it in the scattered-complaints band.

Hyundai's 800-plus US dealers give dense nationwide coverage, and the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty plus complimentary maintenance lower ownership friction. Dealership experience ratings are only average.

Mechanical parts are plentiful and normally priced because the 3.8L V6 and 8-speed are shared with the Telluride and other high-volume Hyundai/Kia models. Body parts for this generation are well stocked, and repair costs track the mid-size SUV average.

The volume SE and SEL get an 8-in touchscreen. The 10.25-in navigation screen comes with the SEL's Drive Guidance option and is standard on the Limited.

Hyundai's interface of this era is logical and quick, with physical shortcut keys and knobs, and CarPlay integration is stable. The base 8-in screen looks dated, and the push-button shifter draws complaints.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2020 trim but wired-only. Wireless projection arrived on the 8-in unit for 2021.

The volume 8-in unit has no native navigation, so drivers rely on phone projection. The 10.25-in system adds factory navigation, and voice control is basic command-style.

A strong 630-W, 12-speaker Harman Kardon system is standard on the Limited, but it is not offered on the SE or SEL, whose six-speaker system is ordinary.

The SE has analog gauges with a monochrome info display, and a 7-in LCD info display needs the SEL Convenience package. The 12.3-in full digital cluster is Limited-only.

There is no whole-vehicle or over-the-air infotainment update. Map and software updates for the 2020 head units are dealer- or USB-based through Hyundai's Navigation Updater.

Blue Link remote start, lock and locate are not on the SE, come with the SEL's Drive Guidance option and are standard on the Limited. There is no phone-as-key, and services go to subscription after the trial.

Five USB-A ports across the first two rows are standard. Wireless charging, third-row USB and the 115V outlet need the SEL Convenience package or the Limited, and there is no USB-C.

Push-button start is standard. Proximity entry trim coverage on the 2020 SE is reported inconsistently. The hands-free Smart Liftgate needs the SEL Convenience package or the Limited, remote start needs Blue Link, and there is no phone-as-key.

A rear camera and rear parking sensors are standard, and front sensors come in the SEL Convenience package. Surround view and Blind-Spot View Monitor are Limited-only.

A head-up display is offered, but only on the Limited, not the volume SE or SEL.

An eight-seat bench or captain's chairs, a 42.4-in second row, a standard Rear Occupant Alert and a usable third row make daily kid logistics easy. IIHS rates LATCH ease of use only Acceptable.

It earns a 5-star NHTSA overall rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and FCA with pedestrian detection, lane keeping and Stop & Go cruise are standard. Blind-spot collision avoidance and Safe Exit Assist are not on the SE, and Highway Driving Assist is an SEL option.

Second-row climate controls, second-row USB and a roomy second row make long trips easy. Intercom, sunshades and third-row USB need SEL options or the Limited, and 18 cu ft behind the third row limits luggage with every seat filled.

The smooth V6 and 8-speed have no turbo lag, Stop & Go cruise is standard and the ride is excellent. The push-button shifter and the vehicle's size in tight lots are the daily annoyances.

At 19 mpg city and 21–22 combined on regular fuel, with no hybrid offered, this V6 three-row costs more than most to commute in.

At 196 in long with a 38.7-ft turning circle, it is manageable rather than easy. Rear parking sensors are standard, but surround view is Limited-only.

A 5,000-lb tow rating and 86 cu ft of cargo space handle light work. Modest payload and unibody construction rule out anything heavier.

The naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 and conventional 8-speed are a proven pairing, but 2020 is the launch year of an all-new model. It is a family crossover with no fleet or hard-use reputation.

Roof rails, a port-installed hitch and a 115V outlet (SEL Convenience or Limited) are the only work provisions. There is no upfit ecosystem.

Comfortable seats, a silky ride, a quiet cabin and standard Stop & Go cruise with lane following make it a relaxing tourer. Highway Driving Assist is not standard on the volume trims, and about 400 miles of range is only average.

HTRAC AWD with lock and Snow mode, about 7.9 in of clearance and 5,000-lb towing handle gravel roads and campers. There are no multi-terrain modes or rugged trims in 2020.

A 60/40 split third row, a sliding second row and an underfloor bin swallow bulky gear well. Maximum volume is good rather than class-leading, and power third-row folding needs the SEL Premium package or the Limited.

It is secure and well controlled, with little body lean and composed reflexes on winding roads. It never feels nimble.

Steering is precise and well weighted, especially in Sport, but offers little real feedback.

The brakes bite strongly and modulate well, with stopping distances around the class average.

The naturally aspirated V6 and 8-speed are smooth and linear. Low-rpm punch is lacking, since peak torque arrives at 5,200 rpm, and there is an occasional clunk going from reverse to drive.

The V6 is near-silent at idle and cruise. It grows audible but not intrusive at full throttle.

The turning diameter is typical for a mid-size three-row SUV.

The view is commanding and the physical controls are logical, with power seat adjustment from the SEL up. The SE's manual seat, the wide console that crowds taller drivers and the slow push-button shifter cost points.

It is pleasant, competent and refined, but nothing about it invites the long way home.

At about $32.6K, the 2020 SE comes standard with a 291-hp V6, eight seats, tri-zone climate, LED headlights, forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist and Smart Cruise with Stop & Go. It is generous for the money. Blind-spot collision avoidance and the 10.25-in navigation screen are held back for the SEL and above, and the SE uses an 8-in display.

About $36K buys a well-equipped AWD three-row with a V6. The roughly $47K Limited AWD delivers a near-luxury cabin with Nappa leather, cooled second-row seats and HUD, undercutting comparably equipped Highlander, Explorer and Pilot trims. The warranty and 3 years of complimentary maintenance add to that. 2020 buyers mostly avoided the markups that came later.

Three trims (SE, SEL, Limited) each come with FWD or HTRAC AWD and seven- or eight-seat layouts. The lineup has a big roughly $11K gap between the SEL and the Limited. The Calligraphy and XRT came later, and there is only one powertrain.

Sales rose from 28,736 in its partial launch year of 2019 to 81,905 in calendar 2020, nearly tripling even through the pandemic shutdowns. That makes it a fast riser, though it still trailed the Highlander and Explorer on volume.

The Palisade debuted as Hyundai's upscale flagship as the brand's image was improving on design and warranty. Hyundai still lacked Toyota and Honda's default-choice status and residual strength in 2020.

As a hot new launch with constrained early supply, the 2020 Palisade carried few cash incentives, and some dealers added markups in 2019–early 2020. Spring 2020 COVID-era financing deals, such as Hyundai's 0% offers and payment deferral, gave buyers some relief before 2021's shortage pushed prices up.

MY2020 is the debut year of the all-new first-generation Palisade on a new platform with then-current safety tech. A buyer was getting the newest design available, with a facelift not due until 2023.

The Palisade won the Cars.com Best of 2020 and beat its Kia Telluride twin in the Cars.com 2020 3-Row SUV Challenge. It also took a MotorWeek Drivers' Choice award and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The Telluride, however, swept the bigger honors: World Car of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year and C/D 10Best.