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The Hyundai Palisade has some new exterior styling elements for 2023, including the grille.
Hyundai Motor America
Entering its fourth year on the market, Hyundai’s Palisade midsize sport-utility has been enhanced with new exterior styling, updated interior elements, and some enhanced technology.
Hyundai introduced its flagship three-row SUV for 2020, featuring seating for seven or eight people, and plenty of cargo space.
For 2023, Hyundai says the Palisade offers “freshened interior and exterior design cues, new infotainment and safety features, and advanced driver-assistance systems.”
There are five trim levels available, and each level is offered with front- or all-wheel drive.
Prices begin at $35,550 for the base SE model with front-wheel drive; HTRAC all-wheel drive adds $1,900, to make it $37,450.
Other models, in order, are the SEL ($38,550 FWD, $40,450, AWD); XRT ($40,850, FWD; $42,750, AWD); Limited ($47,100, FWD; $49,000, AWD); and Calligraphy ($49,500, FWD; $51,400, AWD).
Outside, the new Palisade comes with new front and rear bumper fascia, front grille, headlights and daytime running lights, a multi-spoke alloy wheel design, and auto-dimming outside mirrors.
Inside the cabin, the changes include a new instrument panel, steering wheel, seating surfaces and materials, gauge cluster and audio interface design.
There’s also a new “ergo-motion” driver’s seat, along with a second-row armrest angle adjuster, heated third-row seats, and, on the top-end Calligraphy model, acoustic-laminated rear door glass.
Other interior features include a 12.3-inch navigation/infotainment screen with 720p resolution; a digital, full-display center rearview mirror; a WiFi hotspot; a digital key (compatible with iPhone and Android); new Bluelink features; enhanced USB-C ports (replacing USB-A ports) for quicker charging; enhanced wireless device charging (from 5 watts to 15 watts); and enhanced dynamic voice recognition.
The Palisade’s advanced driver-assistance systems include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
Among passive safety features are standard rear side-impact air bags, in addition to front side-impact bags.
The robust Palisade also brings exceptional comfort and roominess. When introduced for 2020, it replaced the Santa Fe XL in the Hyundai lineup, with an all-new SUV chassis.
Our Palisade Calligraphy tester came with all-wheel drive, with the Sierra Burgundy exterior color and a black-on-black interior with Nappa leather seating surfaces. The test vehicle came standard with a dual-pane sunroof.
We also had dual captain’s chairs replacing the bench seat in the second row, which gave our vehicle room for just seven passengers, instead of eight.
Palisade has convenient features such as power third-row seats and One-Touch second-row seats for lots of reconfiguration flexibility.
An array of technology including seven USB outlets, second-row heated and ventilated seats, and industry-first innovative roof-based diffuser vents makes Palisade ideal for daily family use or fun road trips.
Additionally, the Hyundai SmartSense technology brings an abundance of standard safety features.
The diffuser vents, similar to the type found on airplanes, can be focused, partially diffused, or fully diffused, and provide quieter air flow and more-uniform distribution of air.
Driver-selectable Normal, Sport, and Smart modes provide confident control in all weather conditions. Snow Mode has special tuning for snow, to optimize available traction and driver control.
The AWD system includes a locking differential for challenging situations, and a wider range of torque distribution variability than many others, tuned to straight-line acceleration, medium- or high-speed cornering, and hill starts.
All Palisades are powered by an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V-6, dual CVVT, direct-injection engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 foot-pounds of torque – more than any SUV in its class.
Power is delivered to the wheels by an eight-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic paddle shifters for manual operation. Shift-by-wire technology (flat buttons for gear selection) frees up space on the center console and includes automatic park logic that shifts into park when the engine is turned off and the driver opens the door.
The spacious interior was welcoming and versatile, with one-touch second-row captain’s chairs folding and sliding forward, allowing easy access to the power-folding/unfolding/reclining third row. Buttons to operate the second row are on the seatback top (also a lever on the seat cushion side) and on the cargo wall along with buttons for the third row.
All rows have USB ports, including two on the side of the front seatback and two in the pass-through bin under the front console, for a total of seven.
A conversation mirror enabled the driver to see rear passengers, and a Driver Talk in-car intercom system allowed the driver to communicate to rear passengers via the audio system. A Rear Sleep Mode allows front passengers to listen to audio with the rear speakers muted – in case the kids quiet down and nap or don’t like your choice of music.
Seatbelt connection notification to the driver is active in every seating position.
With generous under-hood insulation, special sound-deadening carpets and powertrain tuning, the cabin was quiet for enjoying conversation or excellent audio from the Harmon Kardon 630-watt, 12-speaker premium audio, including SiriusXM.
A class-exclusive Blind View Monitor complemented the standard Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, showing a video feed of blind spots on the left or right side of the vehicle on either the left or right side of the instrument cluster when a turn signal was activated – a very handy feature, especially around corners. The navigation system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Hyundai Blue Link Connected Car System was complimentary for three years, with features like Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery, accessed via buttons on the rearview mirror; plus MyHyundai.com, Blue Link smartphone app, Amazon Alexa Blue Link skill and Blue Link Google Assistant app. Some features are available through a smartwatch app.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Safe Exit Assist were standard. Safe Exit detects traffic approaching from the rear and cautions the driver when passengers attempt to open the door, using visual and audio warnings. The driver cannot deactivate the electronic Child Safety Lock or unlock the rear doors until the road is clear.
Rear Occupant Alert monitors the rear seat with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the movement of children or pets. The driver gets an alert in the message center when the vehicle is turned off. If the driver leaves and locks the vehicle, the horn will honk, and a Blue Link alert will be sent to a connected smartphone. Besides preventing children or pets being left behind, the system will also help in case children accidentally lock themselves in.
Palisade’s rigid structure with advanced high-strength steel in key areas is lighter and stronger for more occupant protection.
Our Palisade was good-looking inside and out, very comfortable for a long road trip, versatile – lots of storage, including 16 cupholders, and mini pockets on the front seatbacks for digital devices, and multiple cargo/passenger configurations.
It was fun to drive, and surprisingly economical for a seven-passenger vehicle.
EPA mileage ratings on our all-wheel-drive Calligraphy model were 19 mpg city/25 highway/21 combined. We averaged 22.4 mpg, driving mostly in town and local interstates.
Carpeted floor mats ($215) were the only extras on our tester.
With a base price of $51,400, $1,335 freight, and the floor mats, total sticker price of our 2023 Palisade Calligraphy AWD was $52,950.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.
2023 Hyundai Palisade
The package: Midsize, seven- or eight-passenger, five-door, V-6 gasoline-powered, front- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle.
Highlights: Introduced for 2020, this is Hyundai’s largest vehicle for the U.S. It’s a family-size three-row crossover with plenty of space, along with decent styling, good performance and excellent safety.
Negatives: Limited cargo space behind third row.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6, gasoline.
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic.
Power/torque: 291 HP./262 foot-pounds.
Length: 196.7 inches.
Curb weight range: 4,171-4,506 pounds.
Cargo volume: 18 cubic feet (behind third row); 45.8 cubic feet (third seat folded); 86.4 cubic feet (second and third rows folded).
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes; 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes.
Electronic stability control: Standard, with anti-roll feature.
Side air bags: Seat-mounted front and rear side; side-curtain for all rows.
Fuel capacity/type: 18.8 gallons/unleaded regular.
EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg city/27 highway/22 combined (front-wheel drive); 19/25/21 (AWD).
Major competitors: Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Dodge Durango, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX.
Base price range (2023): $35,550-$51,400, plus $1,335 freight.
Price as tested: $52,950, including freight and options (Calligraphy AWD).
On the Road rating: 8.9 (of a possible 10).
Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.