The Hyundai Palisade stands out in the midsize SUV segment for its spacious interior, advanced technology, and impressive value. Designed for families and versatile drivers, it offers comfort, performance, and features that rival many premium brands.
Exterior Design and Styling
The Palisade's exterior exudes confidence with a bold grille, signature LED lighting, and sculpted lines for a modern, upscale appearance. Its well-proportioned body projects stability and strength. Optional features like 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and a hands-free smart liftgate enhance both style and practicality. Beyond looks, the design supports aerodynamics and quietness, making it suitable for city driving and highway cruising alike.
Interior Comfort and Space
Inside, the Palisade offers a spacious and well-appointed cabin. Premium materials, soft-touch surfaces, available leather seating, and ambient lighting create a welcoming environment. Seating for up to eight passengers includes generous legroom and headroom across all three rows. Optional second-row captain’s chairs reduce capacity to seven while adding comfort. The third row accommodates adults comfortably, which is uncommon in this class. Cargo space reaches 86.4 cubic feet when folding the second and third rows, and multiple storage areas and USB ports throughout the cabin enhance convenience.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
Under the hood, the Palisade features a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup ensures smooth acceleration, ample passing power, and sufficient towing capability. Standard front-wheel drive is complemented by available all-wheel drive for enhanced traction. The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing bumps with ease, while precise steering provides composed handling in city and highway driving. The SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, highlighting its versatility.
Technology and Infotainment
Technology is a highlight of the Palisade. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims offer a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, premium Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging, and a head-up display. The interface balances touch and physical controls for user-friendly operation. Rear passengers benefit from an optional entertainment system and multiple charging options, ensuring connectivity on the go.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety is central to the Palisade experience. Standard driver assistance features include forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention warning. Higher trims add a surround-view monitor, blind-view monitor, and parking distance alerts. High safety ratings from independent testing reinforce its status as a reliable family SUV.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The Palisade comes in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, each building on the previous one with additional features. The SE offers a solid base, the SEL adds comfort and convenience upgrades, the XRT provides unique styling, the Limited introduces luxury touches, and the Calligraphy represents the top-tier with exclusive design and technology. Pricing ranges from around $37,000 for the SE to over $52,000 for the fully equipped Calligraphy, offering options for diverse budgets.
Comparison Table: Hyundai Palisade vs. Key Competitors
Model | Starting Price (USD) | Engine | Horsepower | Seating | Cargo Space (cu ft) | Max Towing (lbs) | Key Features |
Hyundai Palisade | $37,000 | 3.8L V6 | 291 | 7–8 | 86.4 | 5,000 | Advanced safety, upscale interior, large touchscreen |
Kia Telluride | $37,500 | 3.8L V6 | 291 | 7–8 | 87.0 | 5,500 | Bold design, user-friendly tech, similar platform |
Toyota Highlander | $39,000 | 2.4L Turbo I4 | 265 | 7–8 | 84.3 | 5,000 | Hybrid option, reliability, advanced driver aids |
Honda Pilot | $39,900 | 3.5L V6 | 285 | 7–8 | 87.0 | 5,000 | Spacious interior, smooth ride, strong resale |
Chevrolet Traverse | $38,000 | 2.5L Turbo I4 | 315 | 7–8 | 98.2 | 5,000 | Largest cargo, powerful engine, intuitive infotainment |
Ownership Experience and Reliability
Owners praise the Palisade’s comfort, ease of use, and peace of mind thanks to Hyundai's industry-leading warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited coverage. Maintenance costs are reasonable, and the SUV enjoys strong reliability. Customer satisfaction is high, highlighting value, feature richness, and driving enjoyment.
Final Thoughts
The Hyundai Palisade offers a well-balanced mix of style, comfort, technology, and value. With spacious interiors, robust safety features, and smooth performance, it is an appealing choice for families and individuals alike. Multiple trims, strong reliability, and competitive pricing make it one of the most complete midsize SUVs on the market, suitable for commuting, family trips, and weekend adventures.