Hyundai’s Palisade has been dealt a slight blow, with ANCAP handing the large three-row SUV a less than perfect 4-star safety rating.
In its final ratings, ANCAP rated the Palisade 79% for Adult Occupant Protection, 88% for Child Occupant Protection, and just 63% across both Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist categories.
The Palisade model tested is the current ‘LX2’ version, which has been on sale in Australasia since late 2020. An updated Palisade is set to arrive later this year, and it will be entitled to a separate crash-test rating.
ANCAP notes that the Palisade is the only competitor in the large SUV class top 10 to not have a 5-star rating. It’s a chink in the armour for the model, given the particular focus on safety among the segment’s common customers.
In a release, ANCAP explained that some of the Palisade’s active safety equipment (it names the SUV’s adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and emergency lane keeping) is lacking in sophistication, while other features like autonomous emergency braking junction functionality and multi-collision braking, aren’t available.
The group adds that the Palisade scored a ‘Marginal’ rating in driver chest protection during its oblique crash test. It also acknowledged the lack of a centre airbag between the two front occupants.
“The Hyundai Palisade fell short in two of the four key areas of assessment which unfortunately has seen it unable to meet the top level of safety that families and fleets have come to expect,” said ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg.
Hoorweg acknowledged the positive work Hyundai has done with safety across its other nameplates, including the 5-star-rated Ioniq 5 and Staria.
“[The] timing of the upcoming model update presents an opportunity for Hyundai to factor in the necessary safety-related upgrades to elevate the Palisade to five stars,” Hoorweg added.
“This is an extremely competitive market and segment so we’d encourage Hyundai to do what they can to bring the Palisade to equal footing with its competitors.”
