Hyundai Palisade: A Feature-Rich Family SUV Taking On the Segment Heavyweights
Introduction
The Hyundai Palisade arrived in 2020 and quickly carved out a reputation for delivering luxury-grade comfort at a mainstream price. For the 2025 model year, that formula continues: a 3.8-liter V-6, seating for up to eight, and a cabin filled with tech that feels pulled from the class above. Car and Driver calls it a “comfortable ride with a spacious interior that seats up to eight passengers,” placing it on the publication’s Editors’ Choice list for 2025—the only midsize SUV at this price point with that distinction. Readers will discover why buyers cross-shop the Palisade against established rivals like the Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and how Hyundai’s upcoming hybrid variant promises to push the envelope even further.
Design & Trim Strategy
Hyundai keeps the lineup simple: seven trims start at $37,200 for the SE and stretch to $54,500 for the Calligraphy Night Edition. The SEL Premium, added for 2025, slots neatly between the rugged XRT and luxury-oriented Limited, bundling features such as a heated steering wheel and upgraded driver-assist tech without cresting $45K. As Wolfchase Hyundai notes, the Palisade “emphasiz[es] its comfort, luxury touches, and bold design,” making it as suitable for school runs as for weekend road trips.
Exterior updates introduced in 2024—wider grille, stacked LED DRLs and dark-finish 20-inch wheels on the XRT—persist, giving the Palisade a more upscale stance than most rivals. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Calligraphy Night dresses the body in gloss-black trim more reminiscent of a German luxury SUV than its mainstream badge suggests.
Powertrain & Efficiency
All gas-only trims share a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 good for 291 hp and 262 lb-ft, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Maximum tow rating stands at 5,000 lb when equipped with the factory-fitted trailer package—enough for a midsize boat or a pair of jet skis. EPA ratings are competitive: 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD), marginally lower with HTRAC AWD. Future Hyundai of Concord points out that “upgrading to all-wheel drive is more cost-effective for the Palisade ,” helping keep real-world transaction prices in check.
Table 1 – Core Powertrain Specs
| Specification (Gas) | Palisade | Telluride | Pilot | Highlander | Grand Cherokee L |
| Engine | 3.8 L V-6 | 3.8 L V-6 | 3.5 L V-6 | 2.4 L I-4 Turbo | 3.6 L V-6 |
| Horsepower | 291 hp | 291 hp | 285 hp | 265 hp | 293 hp |
| Towing (max) | 5,000 lb | 5,500 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 6,200 lb |
| EPA Combined | 22 mpg (FWD) | 22 mpg (FWD) | 22 mpg (FWD) | 25 mpg (FWD) | 22 mpg (4×2) |
Source: Green Family Hyundai, Deacon Jones Hyundai, South Shore CDJR
Interior Space & Technology
Green Family Hyundai highlights a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a digital gauge cluster as standard on upper trims. Cabin volume (155 cu ft) and cargo versatility also earn praise: fold both rear rows and you unlock 86.4 cu ft—nearly identical to the Kia Telluride’s 87 cu ft, yet ahead of rivals like the Highlander (84.3 cu ft).
Table 2 – Cargo & Seating
| Metric | Palisade | Telluride | Highlander | Pilot |
| Behind 3rd row | 18 cu ft | 21 cu ft | 16 cu ft | 18.6 cu ft |
| Behind 2nd row | 45.8 cu ft | 46 cu ft | 48.4 cu ft | 48.5 cu ft |
| Seats (max) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Heated 3rd row | Yes (Limited+) | No | No | No |
Source: Dick Smith Hyundai, Kelly Hyundai of Stroudsburg
Comfort touches include available quilted Nappa leather, ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and Hyundai’s innovative “Passenger Talk” in-cabin intercom. According to Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth, the Palisade even offers 64-color ambient lighting and acoustic glass for a serene ride —features seldom found below $60K in this segment.
Safety & Reliability Snapshot
IIHS crash testing gives the 2025 Palisade top marks in small-overlap and side impacts, yet the SUV scores Poor in the updated moderate-overlap test due to belt slip in the rear seats. Even so, its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist achieved Good pedestrian detection results at 25 mph, reducing impact speed by 23 mph, and the LED projector headlights earn top ratings. Hyundai of Bedford emphasizes that the Palisade “earns a Top Safety Pick designation and a 5-star NHTSA rating,” reassuring family buyers.
Not all owner feedback is glowing. Lemberg Law catalogues 186 customer complaints about the 2024 model’s ABS system and notes three NHTSA recalls since 2024—including a power-train fire risk that affected over 52,000 units. Still, the 10-year/100,000-mile power-train warranty is unmatched by Toyota, Honda or VW.
The Hybrid Horizon
For 2026, Hyundai introduces its first three-row hybrid Palisade. FWD trims promise 34 mpg combined and an EPA-estimated 619-mile range thanks to a 2.5-liter turbo-hybrid system. The Limited and Calligraphy versions add executive-class features such as a built-in dashcam and a UVC sterilization compartment. Hyundai USA’s product page confirms that the hybrid will tow 4,000 lb—just 1,000 lb shy of the V-6 yet with 329 hp on tap.
Real-World Ownership & Off-Road Flair
The XRT trim, reviewed by CarPro, swaps chrome for black accents, adds 20-inch dark wheels and skid plates, and performs “surprisingly well during light off-roading at the Texas Truck Rodeo .” The steering feel remains light, but families looking for a touch of adventure without sacrificing on-road manners will appreciate the XRT’s balance.
Meanwhile, Westlake Hyundai advises buyers to watch for dealer mark-ups on limited-supply Calligraphy Night Editions, which can push pricing toward $60K—still less than many decked-out Grand Cherokee L or Explorer Platinum models.
Competitive Showdown
Table 3 – Features Scorecard (✓ = standard or class-leading)
| Category | Palisade | Telluride | Highlander | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
| Base Price <$40K | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 12-in+ Infotainment Std. | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Heated 3rd Row | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Complimentary Maintenance | ✓ (3 yr) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Massaging Seats | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Max Towing | 5,000 lb | 5,500 lb | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | 6,200 lb |
| IIHS Top Safety Pick (2025) | – | – | ✓ | – | – |
Crestmont Hyundai summarizes it well: the Palisade “dominates with better pricing, superior technology, and a more spacious, comfortable interior compared to the Toyota Highlander.”
Value Proposition & Pricing
Even fully optioned, a Palisade rarely crosses $56K, while a comparably equipped Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve or Ford Explorer Platinum can exceed $65K. Hyundai’s 3-year complimentary maintenance, 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and America’s Best 10-year power-train coverage slash ownership costs further. Crestmont Hyundai also reminds shoppers that the Palisade includes navigation, parking sensors and traffic-sign recognition on its base SE—features you’ll pay extra for on many rivals.
Verdict
By delivering genuine luxury appointments, robust V-6 performance, generous space and industry-leading warranty protection, the Hyundai Palisade hits a rare sweet spot for large-family buyers. Its safety resume remains strong despite the latest IIHS wrinkle, and the forthcoming hybrid powertrain promises class-leading range without sacrificing towing muscle.
In short, buyers seeking a versatile three-row SUV that feels more Genesis than mainstream without the upscale price tag will look out for the peace of mind the Palisade continues to provide.
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