Highlights
- The Hyundai Palisade offers a blend of rugged styling, premium features, and advanced technology in a competitive three-row SUV market.
- Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, the Palisade balances smooth performance with advanced safety features, catering to diverse buyer needs.
- The Palisade is well-received for its spacious interior, safety suite, and value proposition, making it a popular choice for families.
Summary and Overview
The Hyundai Palisade is a midsize SUV combining rugged styling with premium features, spacious seating for seven or eight, and advanced technology. Introduced in 2020 and redesigned for 2026, it offers trims from practical base models to luxury-focused Calligraphy and off-road XRT Pro variants. The exterior features bold lighting inspired by Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 9, while the interior emphasizes comfort and upscale materials.
Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Palisade balances smooth performance and reliability. Safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance, and a 360-degree camera system, earning strong ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. Technology highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Hyundai Digital Key 2, and multiple USB-C ports.
Trim levels range from budget-friendly SE and SEL models to premium Limited and Calligraphy trims, with prices from about $38,695 to nearly $56,000. Leasing and financing options are available, though regional demand sometimes causes price markups. The Palisade competes closely with the Kia Telluride, sharing a platform but differing in styling and features. It is praised for its spacious, luxurious interior and safety suite, though fuel efficiency and headlight performance have drawn some criticism.
Features and Performance
The Palisade seats up to eight with seven-passenger layouts in higher trims. It includes a large dual 12.3-inch digital display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, onboard Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, Hyundai Pay, and the Digital Key 2 system. Higher trims add leather seating, power sunroofs, ambient lighting, and power-folding heated third-row seats.
Exterior features vary by trim, with LED lighting, 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels, and black roof rails on off-road-oriented XRT models. Safety technologies include Lane Keeping Assistance, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, a 360-degree camera, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Idle Stop & Go to improve fuel economy.
The 3.8-liter V6 engine produces 291 hp and 262–266 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters. The Palisade offers smooth, reliable acceleration with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.6 seconds, prioritizing comfort over sporty handling. Some engine timing chain and software issues have been reported but are uncommon. The Idle Stop-Start system can be disabled but defaults on at each start.
Safety Ratings and Trim Levels
The Palisade has earned high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, sharing structural similarities with the Kia Telluride. It offers seven trims: SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night. Base SE models seat eight with front-wheel drive standard; SEL adds comfort features and captain’s chairs for seven passengers. The XRT features rugged styling and off-road enhancements, while Limited and Calligraphy trims emphasize luxury with leather seats, premium audio, and advanced amenities.
Seating varies with second-row bench seats allowing eight passengers in some trims, while captain’s chairs reduce capacity to seven in others.
Pricing and Financing
The 2025 Palisade starts at $38,695 MSRP for the SE trim, with higher trims up to $55,995 for the Calligraphy Night Edition. Kelley Blue Book suggests fair purchase prices below MSRP depending on trim and location. Financing typically requires a 10–20% down payment, with 0% APR options available for qualified buyers. Leasing offers lower monthly payments and requires less upfront, though deals vary by region and credit rating. Final prices exclude taxes, fees, and optional equipment.
Market Position and Reception
The Palisade competes strongly in the midsize SUV segment, closely matched with the Kia Telluride but often distinguished by styling and trim availability. It holds strong safety ratings, slightly edging some rivals in IIHS tests, and includes premium features like third-row USB-C ports and a heated steering wheel. The 2026 model introduces a redesigned standard version and a hybrid option, enhancing its market appeal.
Critically, the Palisade is praised for its spacious, upscale interior, comprehensive safety features, and value. Its infotainment system and connectivity are well-regarded, while reliability and resale value are strong. Some reviews note average fuel efficiency compared to competitors and minor issues like halogen headlight performance, but overall it remains a popular, versatile choice in its class.
The content is provided by Harper Eastwood, Scopewires
