Hyundai Palisade SUV review: My favorite features and technology

The most eye-catching part of the Palisade’s 2023 update is its futuristic front fascia. This new grillework brings the flagship Palisade in line with Hyundai’s new corporate aesthetic, which debuted with the parametric jewel pattern grille on the Tucson compact SUV.

On the XRT and Calligraphy Night trims, the grille is painted black instead of chrome.

The Palisade’s headlights are located on either side of the front grille, with LED daytime running lights located on the outer sides of the round headlights.

When not in operation, the turn signals blend in as part of the chrome grille.

The only engine offered in the Palisade is Hyundai’s 3.8-liter naturally aspirated Lambda II V6.

The V6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The quiet, smooth-revving V6 engine delivers effortless power, ample acceleration and segment-competitive fuel economy that rivals the turbocharged four-cylinder in the Subaru Ascent and the Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6.

Every Palisade comes standard with blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, rear occupant alert, rear park distance warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, trailer sway control and highway driving assist.

The Calligraphy trim comes with forward parking distance warning, parking collision-avoidance assist and upgraded forward collision-avoidance assist.

The Hyundai Palisade is, naturally, a front-wheel drive crossover SUV.

All-wheel drive is available as a $2,000 option on all trim levels except the top-of-the-line Calligraphy Night Edition, where it comes standard.

HTRAC operates in front-wheel drive when cruising, but can send up to 50 percent of engine power to the rear wheels when needed. At low speeds, the driver can activate the AWD lock function to force the system to send at least 20 percent of power to the rear wheels, which is useful for rough or off-road driving.

Hyundai has designed the cabin ergonomics well, with a good mix of touch controls and physical switchgear, and there’s also a variety of handy storage spaces located throughout the cabin.

All Palisades come standard with a 12.3-inch color touchscreen that includes a navigation system that can receive updated maps remotely.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

Quiet mode limits the volume of the front speakers and mutes the rear cabin speakers, allowing occupants to rest undisturbed during the drive.

The Passenger Talk feature amplifies the driver’s voice through the rear cabin speakers.

Higher trim levels come standard with a Blind Spot View Monitor, which uses cameras mounted in the side mirrors to give the driver a live view of the vehicle’s blind spots via the digital gauge display when the turn signals are engaged.

Top trim levels also get a head-up display (HUD) that projects onto the windshield and can be configured to show a variety of information, including speed, advanced cruise control status and speed limits.

Hyundai’s hands-free tailgate is standard on all Palisade trim levels except the base SE.

Standing within three feet of the rear bumper with the key fob for more than three seconds activates the liftgate, a departure from competing systems that require the driver to swing their foot under the rear bumper.

The driver’s seat’s ErgoMotion feature uses an automatically adjusting inflatable air pocket to support the driver’s posture and reduce fatigue during long drives. When the Palisade is in Sport mode, the air pocket inflates to provide extra lumbar support.

The Palisade’s rearview mirror is equipped with a smart rearview camera display, which is handy when the cabin is loaded with cargo.

The actual camera is located near the top of the rear window.

Not only are the Palisade Calligraphy’s third-row seats powered, they’re also heated – perfect for those chilly days – and third-row passengers also get a pair of dedicated USB-C plugs.

The Palisade Calligraphy comes equipped with a 630-watt Kardon audio system, a 12-speaker system that’s standard on higher trim levels and available as an option on the SEL grade.

The 64-colour ambient lighting in the door trims and centre console adds a touch of glamour to the interior, especially at night.

The Palisade’s center console features folding cup holders that swivel out of the way when not in use.

The Calligraphy trim comes with front, rear, and side cameras that combine to give drivers a 360-degree view of the Palisade and its surroundings.

Directly above the rear-view mirror is a retractable panoramic mirror which gives the driver a clear view of what is happening behind the vehicle.

Instead of a single panoramic glass roof like the Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot, the Palisade has two separate sunroofs: The smaller front sunroof opens, but the larger rear glass roof does not.

The leather, plastics and soft-touch materials used in the cabin are exceptional, especially for a mass-market car.

The Palisade Calligraphy is the only trim that comes with this premium Nappa leather-covered seating.

Unlike many of its competitors, the Palisade uses electric motors rather than manual latches or handles to stow the second- and third-row seats.

The Palisade has a hidden storage compartment under the center console that’s perfect for a bag or small purse. The compartment also houses a USB-C and 12V plug.

Spare tires have become increasingly rare in recent times as automakers have adopted puncture repair cans to save weight and cost.

Luckily, the Palisade comes with a spare tire mounted under the rear cargo area.