2021 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai’s Palisade doesn’t bother with half-measures — it’s a genuine seven-seater that skips the bakkie-based pretensions and goes straight for family comfort. It sits at the top of Hyundai’s SUV pile, outmuscling the Tucson and Santa Fe, and taking on the Fortuner, Everest, and Sorento with a single 2.2-litre turbodiesel, auto ‘box and all-wheel drive. No petrol, no manual, and, if you’re shopping locally, hardly any examples at all. With just two used Palisades listed in South Africa right now, both priced between R568,500 and R668,888, you’ll notice how owners aren’t exactly itching to part ways. That tells you something: this isn’t an SUV people buy on a whim or move on from quickly. Both available cars are 2021 ELITE AWDs, each showing around 63,500 km — fair mileage for a big family bus that’s probably seen its share of N1 road trips and Gauteng school runs. The ELITE badge means quilted leather, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and a panoramic sunroof, which stacks up neatly against a Fortuner Legend or Everest Sport in the same price band. Where the Palisade stands out, on paper at least, is the interior. It’s got that soft-touch, car-like feel, with proper second-row width and third-row seats you’d actually let adults use. Those rivals can’t match that for comfort, and that’s the point. No new Palisades in showrooms means you’re in used-only territory, so a watertight service history is non-negotiable — especially with a rare bird like this.