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New Hyundai Palisade Unveiled To Take On Chevrolet Traverse

Over the last decade, Chevrolet rival – Hyundai – has been expanding its lineup in the U.S. and abroad. The latest example of this expansion is the new Hyundai Palisade – a large, three-row CUV looking to make a dent in the mainstream, full-size crossover SUV segment created by GM’s Chevy Traverse. Let’s have a look at how the new Hyundai Palisade measures up against the Chevrolet Traverse.

Naming & Positioning

The Palisade name comes as a result of Hyundai simplifying its crossovers nomenclature. Until now, the Korean automaker could purchase two Hyundai Santa Fe models: a full-size Santa Fe with three rows of seating, and a smaller, mid-size Santa Fe Sport with two rows. Now, the Santa Fe Sport is simply known as the Santa Fe, and the larger model was christened Santa Fe XL. And the new Hyundai Palisade replaces the Santa Fe XL model.

Hyundai Palisade Front 1

Performance

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade has a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The duo is rated at 291 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 262 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the 3.6L V6 LFY in the Traverse makes 310 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 266 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to the new GM 9-speed automatic transmission.

We should also note that the Traverse RS is powered exclusively by the turbo-charged 2.0L LTG four-banger that makes 257 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Hyundai doesn’t have a boosted engine offering.

Hyundai Palisade Front 2

Exterior

The new Hyundai Palisade measures 196.1 inches long, 77.8 inches wide, and 68.9 inches high. The Chevrolet Traverse is notably larger – 204.3 inches long, 78.6 inches wide, and 70.7 inches tall. The Traverse’s longer overall length is enabled by its wheelbase: that of the Palisade is 114.2 inches, while that of Traverse is 120.9 inches.

Hyundai Palisade Rear 1

Metric (inches): 2019 Chevy Traverse 2020 Hyundai Palisade + / – Traverse
Wheelbase: 120.9 114.2 +6.7
Length: 204.3 196.1 +8.2
Width (without mirrors): 78.6 77.8 +0.8
Height: 70.7 68.9 +1.8

2020 Hyundai Palisade Interior

Interior

The new Hyundai Palisade and the Chevy Traverse have similar interior dimensions, with Chevy winning in some areas, and the Hyundai winning in others.

In terms of headroom, the Palisade offers 40.7 inches for the first row, 40.1 inches for the second row, and 37.2 inches for the third row. The Traverse has 41.3 inches, 40 inches, and 38. 2 inches, respectively.

Metric (inches or cubic feet): 2019 Chevy Traverse 2020 Hyundai Palisade + / – Traverse
Headroom – first row: 41.3 40.7 +0.6
Headroom – second row: 40 40.1 -0.1
Headroom – third row: 38.2 37.2 +1
Legroom – first row: 41.0 44.1 3.1
Legroom – second row: 38.5 42.4 -3.9
Legroom – third row: 33.5 31.4 2.1
Shoulder room – first row: 62.1 61.2 +0/89
Should room – second row: 62.2 60.8 +1.4
Should room – third row: 57.5 55.2 +2.3
Cargo space – behind third row: 23 18 +5
Cargo space – behind second row: 57.8 48.5 +9.3
Cargo space – behind first row: 98.2 TBD N/A

Legroom on the Hyundai is as follows: 44.1 inches in the front, 40.4 inches in the second row, and 30.9 inches in the third row. Chevrolet offers 41 inches, 38.5 inches, and 33.5 inches, respectively.

Chevy walks away with a clean win in terms of cargo space: behind the second row, the Palisade offers 45.8 cubic feet while the Traverse offers a much larger 58.1 cubic feet. The new Hyundai also has 18.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the full-size Traverse has 23 cubic feet.

Hyundai Palisade Interior 1

Other Rivals

Aside from competing with one another, the Chevrolet Traverse and new Hyundai Palisade compete in the growing mainstream, full-size, three-row crossover SUV segment that includes the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Durango, Volkswagen Atlas, and Subaru Ascent.

2019 Chevrolet Traverse RS - Exterior 001

The new Hyundai Palisade will go on sale in early summer 2019 as a 2020 model year vehicle. Pricing has not yet been revealed, but if the price tag stays consistent with the outgoing Santa Fe XL, we can expect the Palisade to start around $32,000.

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Michelle Marus is an automotive enthusiast with a passion for writing that has turned into a career involving both interests.

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Comments

  1. The interior of the Traverse (along with just about every other GM product) is snoozville! Safe and adequate without risk. The exterior of the Hyundai is a bit much from some angles however the interior is so fresh and nicely aligned with its luxury Genesis bretheren.

    Reply
  2. That thing is ugly from every angle! and the interior is as bland as can be.

    Reply
  3. Bridge to no where? This is chrome to no where. Jumbly to me very much.

    Reply
  4. Look at that steering wheel… the buttons below the center vents. This interior looks nicer than many concept interiors. Very, very nice.

    Outside, I really like the headlights and grille. The rear looks very nice too. I even like the chrome trim around the side windows, but otherwise it looks pretty bland from the side in these pics.

    The Traverse is a very good vehicle but it’s very awkward looking IMO. This could compete on looks with more expensive vehicles.

    Reply
  5. I had a 2015 Santa Fe Sport, just got rid of it in the summer, wouldn’t touch another Hyundai if you gave me it for free, absolute piece of garbage, transmission started to jump violently for the first 20 mins in the morning, engine started to feel as rough as a badger, had less than 20k miles on it after 3 years of gentle driving, do yourself a massive favor and get the Chevy or the Explorer, way better as I’ve had experience with both!

    Reply
    1. Hyundai’s are still reliable. Maybe you were in an unfortunate situation and got a lemon. Any car company can have lemons, even if it means the most reliable car companies.

      Reply
  6. This is another segment in which GM should dominate yet trails. Hyundai is growing, now a fully mainstream brand with Kia close behind.
    I like Traverse but I hear a lot of people did the design.

    Reply
    1. “I like Traverse but I hear a lot of people did the design.”

      huh? i heard a lot of people worked to put a man on the moon.

      Reply
  7. The main thing for me is that the Hyundai is under 200 inches, which means it will fit in my garage without having to move my freezer. The Chevy at 204 inches is too long and I wouldn’t be able to park in the garage.

    Both have nice interior designs and exterior look.

    Reply
    1. So you rather have steaks than a nice vehicle made in the USA?

      Reply
      1. They’re not made in the USA.

        Reply
  8. The Traverse RS is Turbo powered only with FWD, AWD comes with the V6.

    Reply
  9. The “made in USA” comment is interesting. Honda, for example, is made in the USA. Alabama I believe. My GMC Sierra was made in Mexico. My wife’s Charger was made in Canada. Hyundai is made in Korea, but I find it interesting that the old Chevy commercials touted that they are as American as apple pie and baseball. I guess they play baseball and eat apl epie or some variation of it in Canada and Mexico.

    Reply

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