Hyundai's new Digital Key feature is a great addition to their lineup of cars. If you're looking into purchasing the Hyundai Palisade, you may be wondering if it has this feature available. We've looked into it, and we are going to talk about not only if the feature is available but also talk about Hyundai's Digital Key itself.
Hyundai's Digital Key isn't available on many of their cars at the moment, and unfortunately, the Palisade doesn't make the list. At this time, it is only available on certain trims of Sonatas and Elantras. When it launched, it was on the Hyundai Sonata only, so the addition of the Elantra proves that Hyundai plans on adding it to more vehicles in their lineup. The Palisade doesn't include the Near Field Communication reader required for the feature in any of its trims.
Although the Digital Key is not yet available on Palisade, there is much to learn about this handy feature to be prepared for its release on this Hyundai. Keep reading as we delve into how the Digital Key works, how to get it and pair it with your vehicle, and what qualities make this feature so unique.
When Will The Palisade Have Digital Key?
While the current Palisades aren't Digital Key compatible, it would be somewhat safe to assume that the models releasing soon will be. The main question is how near in the future? Hyundai drivers certainly want this feature and have speculated that it may come to the Palisade in 2023. However, at this time, there is no word from Hyundai about when they will release Palisades with this feature or even when they will add it to any more of their cars. So, for now, all we have is speculation amongst Palisade fans.
You may wonder why this feature isn't available even though you can connect your phone to most modern cars using Bluetooth. For security, the feature uses Near Field Communication (NFC), which requires the phone and the car to be within very close proximity. This was a move done to ensure security, not allowing others to unlock your car when you are nearby.
Is This Missing Feature A Dealbreaker?
While the 2021 Hyundai Palisade may not have Digital Key, it still has a ton of features that let you know you're driving a luxury SUV. It appears that their biggest focus was on their safety features, which they boast many of. One of the most notable features is a camera that activates when you turn on your turn signal and shows a live feed of your blind spot. Another interesting feature that the car includes is an intercom, allowing the driver to speak to those in the third row of the car without raising their voice.
How Does The Hyundai Digital Key Work?
The main idea of Hyundai Digital Key is to be able to use your phone as your car key. Using your phone, you should be able to do everything you could do with the key FOB, meaning you could lock, unlock, and even start the car using your phone. This could be especially useful as even if you are forgetful with your keys, you will almost always have your phone on you. Or, if you lock the physical keys in the car, you can still get in without having to call for help.
Digital Key Sharing
Perhaps the most useful aspect of the Digital Key is that you can share it with others. You can let three other users have access to your Digital Key, making it easier than ever to share your keys without ever actually having to actually lend your keys. This is great for parents who want to allow their children to drive or even let a friend borrow the car.
A great addition to mention is that you can limit the access that the people you share it with have, meaning you can let one child drive the car and have it so that another can only lock and unlock it.
It seems like Hyundai really went all out with the shared key function, as you can even set preferences for each person sharing the Digital Key. The cars with this feature can determine which key is being used and automatically adjust the seat and mirrors, change audio settings, and do even more. We'd love to see the Digital Key come to the Palisade because, with all these features incorporating sharing, it would be perfect for a family car such as the SUV.
To actually unlock the car, you must hold your smartphone against your car door handle. Once you're seated and ready to drive --to start the car, you must place your phone in the wireless charger.
Is Hyundai Digital Key Free?
With such a seemingly amazing feature, you might be thinking that they would tack on an additional charge to use it, but with a compatible model, this is a completely free feature. If you have all the necessary equipment, the only thing between you and the Digital Key is a free download from the Google Play Store. However, it is worth noting that Hyundai's Digital Key isn't available on all trims of the cars that have the feature. With that in mind, you may technically see the feature as a cost when only the more expensive trims have the Digital Key.
How Do I Get A Hyundai Digital Key?
Of course, you will receive standard physical keys when your purchase the car, but if your brand new car has this feature, you most likely will want to use it. Not only do you need a model and trim that is compatible with the Digital Key, but you'll also need a compatible phone.
At this time, Digital Key is only available with Samsung phones, which is a massive limitation on the number of consumers that have access to this feature. If you have a Samsung phone modern enough to connect, all you will need to do is head to the Google Play Store, where you can then find and download Hyundai's Digital Key app. You will also need to create a MyHyundai account and enroll in Digital Key.
Download & Pairing
Once you have the app downloaded, you'll have to fill out some information to link your phone and your car together. You do this by linking your aforementioned MyHyundai account.
With your app set up and your car at the ready, you can now set up the Digital Key. You will now get in the car, turn it on, and place your phone in the built-in wireless charger. Your phone and car should pair automatically at that point. After pairing the phone, you can now set it as the primary phone using either the navigation system or the instrument cluster, depending on the trim of your car.
NFC Key Card
If you purchase a car equipped to use the Digital Key, you should receive an NFC pairing key card. After pairing the phone and car, it is essential to register the NFC key card as well.
While in the car with the primary Digital Key phone, you can pair the key card from the phone's app. Simply select the pairing option and hold the card to the wireless charger. You will then complete the pairing using either the navigation system or instrument cluster as well. Make sure you hold onto the card, as it is considered by Hyundai to be your backup key.
Hit The Road!
Now that you've read up on the Digital Key, you should be ready to link your phone and car so that you can turn on your engine with a tap on the screen. Hyundai's Digital Key feature bridges the gap between our daily commute and the computers we carry in our pockets, and we hope to see this feature expand to their other vehicles soon. While it isn't on the Palisade right now, we have to imagine that we will see Digital Key included soon!
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