HYUNDAI PALISADE FROM $66,800

Hyundai’s Palisade is a monster-sized, US sourced, luxury SUV that’s still a bargain compared with German brand seven or eight seater wagons, even though Hyundai has hiked the entry price by almost $11,000 over the past two years. Prices now kick off at $66,800 for the 217kW 3.8-litre petrol/eight-speed automatic/front wheel drive Palisade Elite; the 147kW 2.2-litre four cylinder turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive is $69,900. Calligraphy drivetrain variants are $75,900/$79,900 respectively, while Calligraphy Black Ink (seriously?…) costs $76,900/$80,900. Eight seats, arranged in a 2-3-3 layout, are standard. A no cost option substitutes two individual middle row seats, with a walk through to the rear bench, for a seven seat layout. Palisade is built to the highest quality standards, exceptionally spacious and comfortable, and loaded with equipment, especially at Calligraphy level where…