PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade's #3 ranking is based on its score within the Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Hyundai Palisade has a score of 8.3 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 16 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Refined ride and handling Spacious, quality interior Comfortable seats User-friendly infotainment system Many standard safety features
Cons Mediocre fuel economy
For its next trick, Hyundai will turn its already luxurious Palisade SUV into an even more upscale three-rower with the addition of the top-spec Calligraphy trim for 2021. The Calligraphy model adds unique exterior lighting elements, boldly-designed 20-inch wheels, a distinct grille finish, and standard all-wheel drive. Inside, buyers of the enhanced model will notice a faux-suede headliner, quilted-leather upholstery on the doors and seats, and a perforated leather wrap on the steering wheel.
Pros Intuitive dashboard layout, class-leading features, every trim is teeming with value.
Cons Intrusive wind noise on the highway, styling may not appeal to everyone, tight door pockets.
New range-topping Calligraphy trim level.Restructured option packages.
Pros Plenty of space for adults in all three rows Lots of standard and optional high-tech features Comfortable seating and ride quality
Cons Handling isn't as crisp as with some rival SUVs