August 2019 Issue #32 August 2019 Issue #32 | Page 44

Opt for the eight-way adjustable quilted Nappa leather seats on the Limited model (the
less-expensive leather on SE and SEL trims isn’t as nice). You’ll thank us. These units
look superb in the bright white cowhide and are extremely comfortable. The third row
is tight, but it’s more usable than most in this segment thanks in part to the Palisade’s
196.1-inch length (a three-inch increase over the outgoing Santa Fe XL). The rear
bench isn’t pinned to the floor, the large rear window reduces feelings of claustropho-
bia, and with a USB port and cupholder on either side, it’s a perfectly fine seating op-
tion in a pinch.
Motivated by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of
torque, the Palisade has power. On the steep mountain roads of northern Idaho, it of-
fered enough oomph to move the 4,300-pound crossover uphill without a struggle. The
automatic gearbox ticks through its eight gears decisively, while the optional HTRAC
all-wheel-drive system provides tons of grip on the pavement (and the dirt, too, as we
found out).
Compared to its Kia Telluride cousin, the Palisade’s ride is better tuned, and thus more
refined, resulting in a bit less body roll. The Palisade also has better steering feel due
to its weightier tiller, which, inspires more confidence in the corners. And even while rid-
ing on optional 20-inch wheels (18-inch wheels are standard), the Palisade’s suspen-
sion is absorbent, soaking up rocky roads with relative ease.
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