A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Historical comparison
Every selected record is historical. Verified South African specifications and last-listed prices remain available for owners and used-car shoppers.
Hyundai Palisade
Discontinued model
Hyundai Santa Fe
Discontinued model
Historical Hyundai Santa Fe hero image.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe exterior view 1.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe exterior view 2.
View 8 more Santa Fe images
Historical Hyundai Santa Fe exterior view 3.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe exterior view 4.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe exterior view 5.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe interior view 1.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe interior view 2.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe interior view 3.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe interior view 4.Historical Hyundai Santa Fe interior view 5.
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Palisade
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Santa Fe
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Fifth generation launched in SA in 2022; significant styling and interior quality upgrade; distinctive boxy design language with vertical lighting
Body Style
Seven-seat SUV
Not confirmed
Model Year
2026
Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg
1952 kg
1980 kg
Model Introduced Year
Not confirmed
2001
Generation
Not confirmed
Fifth generation Santa Fe on Hyundai's i-GMP platform; 'Sensuous Sportiness' design with distinctive parametric LED lighting signature
Facelift Launched Since
Not confirmed
2022
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Ground Clearance (Default)
203 mm
188 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
71 l
67 l
Kerb Weight
1952 kg
1980 kg
Towing Capacity
2200 kg
Not confirmed
Seating Capacity
7 seats
7 seats
Length
Not confirmed
4830 mm
Width
Not confirmed
1900 mm
Height
Not confirmed
1750 mm
Wheelbase
Not confirmed
2815 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
Not confirmed
703 l
Doors
Not confirmed
5 doors
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Automatic
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Electric Tailgate
Smart power tailgate
Yes
AC Type
Automatic
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Air Conditioning
Automatic
Tri-Zone Auto Climate
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rim Size
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Power Windows
Not confirmed
All
Keyless Entry
Not confirmed
Yes
Push Button Start
Not confirmed
Yes
Wireless Charging
Not confirmed
15W Wireless
Sunroof
Not confirmed
Electric Panoramic Sunroof
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not confirmed
No
Auto Dimming Mirror
Not confirmed
No
Rear Window Defroster
Not confirmed
Yes
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Not confirmed
Yes
12V Accessory Socket
Not confirmed
12V
Boot Opener
Not confirmed
Inside
Door Ajar Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Electric Folding Mirrors
Not confirmed
Yes
Engine Check Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Engine Start Stop
Not confirmed
Yes
Engine Start Stop Button
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Armrest
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Power Outlet
Not confirmed
Yes
Fuel Lid Opener
Not confirmed
Inside
Headlamp Height Adjust
Not confirmed
Manual
Headlamp Washer
Not confirmed
No
Power Mirrors
Not confirmed
Yes
Push Button Start
Not confirmed
Yes
Rear Reading Lamps
Not confirmed
Yes
Service Reminder
Not confirmed
Yes
Spare Wheel
Not confirmed
Steel
Tachometer
Not confirmed
Yes
Telescopic Steering
Not confirmed
No
Tilt Steering
Not confirmed
Yes
Trip Computer
Not confirmed
Yes
Vanity Mirror
Not confirmed
Yes
Sound System
Not confirmed
8 Meridian Premium
Unlocking
Not confirmed
Yes
Wireless Charger
Not confirmed
15W Wireless
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Engine
2.2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
2.2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2199 cc
2199 cc
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Common Rail Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
142 kW
147 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque
440 Nm
440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
205 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
8.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Normal
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
72.7 kW/tonne
74.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
225.4 Nm/tonne
222.2 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Gearbox
Automatic
8-speed Automatic
Number of Gears
8
Not confirmed
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transmission Speeds
8
Not confirmed
Engine Position
Not confirmed
Front
Drivetrain Layout
Not confirmed
HTRAC AWD
LSD Available
Not confirmed
Yes
Paddle Shifters
Not confirmed
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Claimed Mileage
8.2 km/l
13.8 km/l
City Mileage
6.7 km/l
11.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
9.6 km/l
17.5 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
71 l
67 l
Fuel Tank Litres
71
67
Emission Standard
Not confirmed
Euro 6
Distance To Empty
Not confirmed
Yes
Low Fuel Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Airbags
Driver, passenger, side and curtain
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Not confirmed
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Not confirmed
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Not confirmed
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Not confirmed
Yes
Brake Assist
Not confirmed
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not confirmed
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not confirmed
Yes
Central Locking
Not confirmed
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not confirmed
Yes
Speed Alert System
Not confirmed
Yes
Safety Rating
Not confirmed
Not Rated (SA)
BA
Not confirmed
Yes
Driver Airbag
Not confirmed
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not confirmed
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Not confirmed
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not confirmed
Yes
TCS
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Cruise Control
Not confirmed
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not confirmed
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not confirmed
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not confirmed
Yes
Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Not confirmed
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not confirmed
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not confirmed
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not confirmed
No
Auto Lights
Not confirmed
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not confirmed
No
Eco Mode
Not confirmed
Yes
EV Mode
Not confirmed
No
Sport Mode
Not confirmed
No
Around View Monitor
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Tyre Size
245/50 R20
255/45 R20
Wheel Rim Size
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Wheel Diameter
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Wheels
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Wheel Type
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Front Brake Type
Not confirmed
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Not confirmed
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not confirmed
Steel
Parking Brake Type
Not confirmed
Manual
Tyre Load Index
Not confirmed
91
Tyre Speed Rating
Not confirmed
H
Brake Type Front
Not confirmed
Disc (Ventilated)
Brake Type Rear
Not confirmed
Disc
Spare Tyre
Not confirmed
Steel
Tyre Type
Not confirmed
Tubeless Radial
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Warranty Years
5 years / 150 000 km plus 2 years / 50 000 km powertrain
5
Warranty Kilometers
5 years / 150 000 km plus 2 years / 50 000 km powertrain
5
Basic Warranty
5 years / 150 000 km plus 2 years / 50 000 km powertrain
5
Warranty
5 years / 150 000 km plus 2 years / 50 000 km powertrain
5
Roadside Assistance
Not confirmed
5 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
Not confirmed
5 Years
Roadside Assistance
Not confirmed
5 Years
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Service Plan Duration
7 years / 105 000 km
4
Service Plan Distance
7 years / 105 000 km
4
Service Plan
7 years / 105 000 km
4
Service Interval
Not confirmed
15000 km / 12 months
Maintenance Plan
Not confirmed
3 Years / 45000 km
First Service At
Not confirmed
15000
Alternator
Not confirmed
120A
Service Intervals
Not confirmed
15000 km / 12 months
Accessory Battery Type
Not confirmed
Lead-acid
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Roof Type
Dual sunroof
Not confirmed
LED Headlamps
Not confirmed
Full LED Parametric
Daytime Running Lamps
Not confirmed
LED
Fog Lamps
Not confirmed
LED
Roof Rails
Not confirmed
Yes
Alloy Wheel Design
20 Inches
20-inch Alloy
Rear Spoiler
Not confirmed
Yes
Wing Mirror Type
Not confirmed
Power Adjustable
Rear Wiper
Not confirmed
Yes
Door Handle Finish
Not confirmed
Body Coloured
Body Type
Not confirmed
SUV
DRL
Not confirmed
LED
Fog Lights
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Fog Lights
Not confirmed
Yes
Led Headlights
Not confirmed
Full LED Parametric
Daytime Running Lights
Not confirmed
LED
Exterior Mirror Electric
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Fog Lamps
Not confirmed
LED
Headlamps
Not confirmed
Full LED Parametric
Headlight Type
Not confirmed
Full LED Parametric
Headlights
Not confirmed
Full LED Parametric
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Price Zar
1204500 ZAR
Not confirmed
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Seat Material
Not confirmed
Leather
Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Power 8-way
Heated Seats
Not confirmed
Front & 2nd Row
Ventilated Seats
Not confirmed
Front
Steering Type
Not confirmed
Electric
Steering Adjustment
Not confirmed
Tilt & Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
Not confirmed
64-Colour Ambient
Folding Rear Seats
Not confirmed
3rd Row Fold Flat
Front Armrest
Not confirmed
Yes
Rear Armrest
Not confirmed
No
Cup Holders
Not confirmed
4
Steering Wheel Material
Not confirmed
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Not confirmed
Analogue + MID
Door Map Pockets
Not confirmed
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Not confirmed
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
Not confirmed
Manual
Adjustable Front Seat
Not confirmed
Manual
Cooled Seats
Not confirmed
No
Fabric Seats
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Headrest
Not confirmed
Yes
Leather Seats
Not confirmed
No
Memory Seats
Not confirmed
No
Rear Headrest
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Infotainment System
Not confirmed
12.3-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Not confirmed
Yes
Android Auto
Not confirmed
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not confirmed
Yes
Number of Speakers
Not confirmed
8 Meridian Premium
Navigation System
Not confirmed
Yes
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not confirmed
12.3-inch Digital Cluster
USB Ports
Not confirmed
2 USB-A + 2 USB-C
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Not confirmed
Yes
Wireless Android Auto
Not confirmed
Yes
FM Radio
Not confirmed
Yes
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Not confirmed
Yes
Voice Recognition
Not confirmed
Yes
AUX Input
Not confirmed
Yes
Audio Controls On Steering
Not confirmed
Yes
Infotainment Display
Not confirmed
Touchscreen
Rear Usb
Not confirmed
Yes
Audio Speakers
Not confirmed
8 Meridian Premium
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Terrain Modes
Not confirmed
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not confirmed
No
Ramp Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
20 deg
Hill Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
Not confirmed
188 mm
Ground Clearance Min
Not confirmed
188 mm
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
Front Suspension
Not confirmed
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
Not confirmed
Multi-Link
Chassis Type
Not confirmed
Monocoque
Power Steering
Not confirmed
Electric
Steering Column
Not confirmed
Tilt
Front Suspension Type
Not confirmed
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type
Not confirmed
Multi-Link
Spec
Palisade
Santa Fe
CO2 Emissions
Not confirmed
188 g/km
Start Stop System
Not confirmed
No
Variable Valve Timing
Not confirmed
Yes
Fuel Octane Requirement
Not confirmed
Diesel
Fuel Evaporation Control
Not confirmed
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This Palisade and Santa Fe comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Palisade 74 vs Santa Fe 74.
Efficiency index: Palisade 40 vs Santa Fe 55.
Safety-equipment index: Palisade 90 vs Santa Fe 98.
Practicality index: Palisade 79 vs Santa Fe 89.
Ownership-cover index: Palisade not separately scored vs Santa Fe 65.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Santa Fe leads by 5 points
Palisade and Santa Fe are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Level
Efficiency
Santa Fe +15
Safety
Santa Fe +8
Practicality
Santa Fe +10
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Santa Fe
Performance
74/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
89/100
Ownership
65/100
Palisade
Performance
74/100
Efficiency
40/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
79/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexHyundai Santa Fe
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 73 pts for Palisade
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Santa Fe leads. However, Palisade may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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