The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is an excellent SUV because of its spacious cabin, reliability, and smooth handling. It may be no surprise people would be interested in buying this vehicle, but how does it handle when it's challenged by snowy terrain? We have reviewed and researched the Hyundai Palisade's snow driving capabilities to get the best answer for you!
When equipped with the Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel drive (AWD), the Palisade is a great SUV for driving through the snow when needed. The HTRAC AWD system gives the driver added traction and the capability to accelerate in slippery road conditions. Drivers will have the added confidence with the Hyundai Palisades HTRAC system due to its automatic distribution of power to the wheels. When the terrain gets really bad, drivers can quickly and easily turn on the Hyundai Palisade Snow Mode for added variable power to the rear wheels for extra traction on icy and snowy roads.
That's a lot of information and maybe even confusing vehicle terminology, we know! That's why we explain in further detail exactly why the Hyundai Palisade is good in the snow. Keep reading to find out the advantages of getting a Hyundai Palisade as your winter vehicle.
What Makes The Hyundai Palisade Good In The Snow?
The Hyundai Palisade is a strong vehicle ready for rough terrain or a road trip across the country. Even in the harshest road conditions, the Palisade is a top contender among other SUVs. But what makes it so great in snowy and icy conditions?
First off, consumers need to keep in mind that the Hyundai Palisade comes in two different drive trains: front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive has enough traction for daily driving in fair conditions, but when it comes to icy and snowy roads, a person would be wise to go with the Palisade's all-wheel drive option.
Hyundai's HTRAC AWD system offers a Smart Mode that distributes power automatically as it senses a change in the road conditions. This brings confidence to the driving experience, knowing that the Palisade remains traction when the weather quickly changes for the worst. This is especially handy when the vehicle hits hard to see road hazards such as black ice.
In addition to the HTRAC Smart Mode, Hyundai also equipped the Palisade with a Snow Mode for added traction. This mode optimizes the available traction and distributes 50% of power to the rear wheels enhancing overall tire-to-road traction. If the driver finds themselves stuck in deep snow, they can put the Palisade into AWD locking differential function to help get out. Have a look at Hyundai's Snow Mode demonstration:
What is HTRAC on Palisade?
The HTRAC system is an all-wheel drive system designed to increase the Hyundai Palisade performance by combining aggressive traction of a four-wheel drive and the economic fuel efficiency of a front-wheel drive vehicle. The Hyundai Palisade HTRAC System is an evolved system that offers five different driving modes: Sport, Comfort, Eco, Smart, and Snow.
Comfort Mode
This mode distributes power 70/30 to the front and rear wheels, making it a good selection for most driving conditions.
Sport Mode
This mode distributes a majority of the power to the rear wheels giving the vehicle an aggressive but agile driving experience.
Eco Mode
This mode is for increased fuel efficiency for highway and city driving. It does this by distributing the power to the front wheels of the vehicle.
Smart Mode
If the weather changes for the worst, the Smart Mode will change power distribution as needed for added traction.
Snow Mode
For inclement weather, this is your go-to mode. The Snow Mode starts in second gear to avoid slip and maintains traction.
Is HTRAC the same as AWD?
An all-wheel drive system is a powertrain that is capable of providing power to all wheels on-demand or full-time. The HTRAC is a type of all-wheel-drive system that has enhanced driving modes. Hyundai came out with the HTRAC system in 2014, and it is an available option in all of their SUV models. There are many other types of AWD systems out there, but the HTRAC AWD system is sure to test the limits of snowy terrain.
What is Hyundai snow mode?
For backcountry roads or icy Northwest interstates, it's nice to have the peace of mind that your vehicle can get you to your destination. That's where the Hyundai Palisades Snow Mode comes into play. Drivers can simply turn on the Snow Mode while driving to enhance traction. The Snow Mode will distribute power to the rear wheels for added traction on icy, snow-covered roads.
When should you use snow mode?
The HTRAC Snow Mode is good to use when your vehicle has trouble maintaining traction on icy and snowy roads. During snowy road conditions, the Snow Mode will help keep you on the road rather than in a ditch.
For mild road conditions, the snow mode is not necessary due to Hyundai's intelligent AWD system. Hyundai has enabled a smart auto-reset within the HTRAC system to avoid wear and tear and to ensure fuel efficiency. When the AWD system senses that the Snow Mode is no longer needed for traction, it will switch back to its original mode.
Does The Hyundai Palisade Have Axle Lock?
A feature that is helpful for the worst of situations is the Hyundai Palisade Axle Lock feature. When starting from stop or driving in treacherous conditions putting the vehicle in this mode will help get you going on slippery surfaces.
Axle lock will override the HTRAC system and put the vehicle in full-time AWD, locking in the differentials and distributing power equally to all four tires. If the vehicle increases to speeds over 25 mph, it will automatically unlock the axle and put it in its original driving mode.
Should you turn off traction control in the snow?
Getting your vehicle stuck in the snow isn't an ideal situation. If you don't have a shovel or a four-wheel drive vehicle for the matter, getting out might be challenging. One trick you can try is turning off the traction control on your vehicle when stuck in the snow. Wheelspin has been known to be beneficial when getting a vehicle unstuck in snow or mud. Traction control prevents wheelspin, so turning it off could be the ticket to getting you out of the snow and to work on time.
Does AWD make a difference in the snow?
An AWD system makes all the difference when driving in snowy road conditions. Sending torque to all four tires instead of just two provides grip and avoids slippage when accelerating on icy roads.
If you live in a region where snowfall is common, then having a vehicle with AWD is a must. Its capabilities to maintain traction and avoid slippage will leave you with the confidence to drive in poor road conditions. For example, if you have two tires stuck, an AWD system will distribute the power to the other wheels to get the vehicle unstuck.
Hit The Road With Confidence - No Matter Where You Go
We covered a lot about the Hyundai Palisade HTRAC system and its capabilities in the snow. Deciding whether to go with the FWD or AWD Palisade really depends on where you live. While FWD may get you by, but the Hyundai Palisade HTRAC AWD system will be sure to get you there safely and on time.
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