All but entry model is over $100k – the base offer is just $10 below – while the top spend is almost in BMW X5 territory.

SIX figure price tags attach to all but the entry edition of Hyundai’s first full-sized seven seater sports utility, the Palisade.

The brand’s announcement of the model line-up, finalised specification and pricing confirms Palisade will hold status as the most expensive vehicle any Korean maker has offered to Kiwis – the spend topping out at an almost BMW X5-hunting $119,900. 

The sharing of information also reinforces that a vehicle that offers in right-hand-drive to just Australasia at the moment is a much more expensive choice here than across the Tasman.

Hyundai NZ has three variants - Elite, Limited and Limited Nappa Edition – whereas our neighbour has two, but both countries achieve all the same choices. The difference is that a Nappe leather update that is optional to Australians packages as a specific model choice here.

The base model here is better kitted than Australia’s – here, for instance, every Palisade is on 20 inch rims while the cheapest in Australia is on 18s – but parity seems to accomplish at flagship level. There is parity in seat counts (eight in Elite, seven for Limited) engine and drivetrain choices. 

So, here, as there, a 3.8-litre petrol V6 driving the front wheels and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, running through all-wheel-drive. 

The line here starts at $99,990 for the Elite petrol, with the range topping out at $119,990 for the Nappa Edition, which is only provisioned with the diesel.  

The other choices - Elite diesel, Limited petrol, and Limited diesel - are priced at $106,990, $107,990, and $114,990 respectively. 

At today’s exchange rate, Palisade RRPs (excluding, as here, delivery costs) are much lower across the Tasman.

 There the V6s sell for the equivalent of $NZ64,490 through to $NZ76,290, while diesel variants span from $NZ68,770 to $NZ80,590.

Hyundai NZ has not given explanation for its pricing strategy in material sent out today.

However, it recently reiterated to MotoringNZ that the Palisade would cost more than the SUV that has previously been its largest and most expensive offer here, the Santa Fe, which now peaks at $89,990.

The two models will likely stand comparison, given they share some common technology, though the recent refresh for Santa Fe has left it with more driver assists and a newer, more efficient version of the turbodiesel.  

The diesel Santa Fe also has dropped the orthodox eight-speed automatic that goes into Palisade for a direct-shift unit, also eight-speed.

Though both run V6s, the Santa Fe’s is a 3.6. The Palisade’s 3.8-litre, meantime, is from the Genesis luxury sedan that Hyundai NZ was unsuccessful in installing into the NZ market in 2016. The car was, then, the most expensive Korean model sold here.

Hyundai NZ cites outputs of 217kW/355Nm from the petrol and 147kW/440Nm from the diesel.

Hyundai says the Palisade’s V6 uses 10.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, which is just 0.2L.100km worse that a six cylinder Santa Fe’s claimed optimal. The diesel’s economy suffers in the Palisade – Hyundai cites 7.3L/100km for the larger unit, against 6.1L/100km in a Santa Fe. 

Palisade’s size doesn’t reflect in it being brawnier for towing – quite the opposite, in fact. Towing is capped at 2200kg, whereas new Santa Fe can tow 2500kg.

 The eight-seater has two separate seats up front then two bench seat rows behind and the seven-seater provides with a bench in the very back and otherwise has captains’ chairs. 

The entry-level Palisade Elite comes with a 10.25 touchscreen, 12-speaker Infinity audio, motorised tailgate, heads-up display, three-zone climate, leather appointments, and 20-inch wheels.

The full SmartSense safety suite is also standard, inclusive of stop-go radar cruise control, lane keeping and lane following, and more.

There’s no ANCAP safety rating yet, but it’s unclear if it will achieve a four, or five-star rating with the lack of a centre airbag, deemed a new requirement by some manufacturers to achieve top safety marks.

Palisade was originally made for two big left-hand-drive markets, North America and the Middle East. It was re-engineered into right-hand-drive after Australia petitioned for it to be reconfigured.

Hyundai subordinate brand Kia also has a model based off the Palisade, but there is no likelihood of that car, called the Telluride, challenging the same turf, as Sorento does against Santa Fe, as there are no plans to make Kia’s biggest model in right-hand-drive.

 “The all-new Hyundai Palisade has a certain presence about it, making it worthy of Hyundai’s flagship SUV. Palisade indulges on every level – from space to connectivity to capability, all packaged in a cutting-edge design,” says Hyundai New Zealand General Manager, Andy Sinclair.

“This new upper-large SUV is the ultimate vehicle for practical, comfortable daily use, as well as open road adventures.”