2023 Hyundai Palisade
Business As Usual For Hyundai
Even after spinning Genesis off as a unique luxury division, Hyundai has continued to march their own brand more and more in that direction. 2020’s Palisade was not only their most luxurious suv yet, but also their biggest. And if we’ve learned nothing else this century, it’s that Hyundai doesn’t stand pat for long. So, for 2023 the Palisade gets a host of updates that make it more appealing than ever!
While it didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, it’s doubtful many people thought that the Hyundai Palisade would become as popular as it has in just 3 short years. And with popularity comes higher expectations of customers, but also an increased effort on the side of the manufacturer to deliver even more. That’s where this 2023 Hyundai Palisade comes in; not only highlighting numerous exterior updates, but changes in technology for both convenience and driving assistance.
It’s hard to miss that cascading grille; it’s bigger, yes, but also with more sophisticated, upscale styling. Both the headlamps and daytime running lights have been redesigned to blend into surroundings a little more than before; and there are new wheel designs throughout the lineup; these 20-inch multi-spoke alloys specific to top Calligraphy trim. Additional features such as auto-dimming side mirrors have also been added.
When it comes to the interior, most of what you interact with has also been updated. There’s a new dash that appears leaner and more linear, with slimmer control panels that are also more digital than before; as well as a larger housing for the 12-inch infotainment display. It still blends into the gauge cluster as before, but now does so more smoothly. There’s a new steering wheel with updated controls, nicer materials throughout the cabin, and wireless phone charging increases from 5 to 15-watts.
Lots of updates in the 7 or 8 passenger seating areas too. Front seats get new covers made of finer materials. Our tester’s second-row captain’s chairs get adjustable armrests, and 3rd row seats can now be heated.
Front seats are still not as plush feeling as some but are definitely all-around comfortable for long trips. Second-row room is generous, there’s quick and easy access to the standard third row, and dual sunroofs allow in lots of natural light. And we love the wealth of small item storage places front to back. Cargo space remains a very plentiful 18.0 cubic-ft. behind the 3rd row, 45.8 behind the 2nd, and a max of 86.4 behind the front seats.
Powertrain is unchanged; that means a 3.8-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission delivering 291-horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque, but we felt a trip to Mason Dixon Dragway was still in order.
Traction was good off the line, leaving with just a slight chirp of the tires, and delivering steady power almost immediately. Still, this is a big vehicle, so taking a full 7.0-seconds to hit 60 is not out of line by any means. The 8-speed automatic worked smoothly, ripping through 1st and 2nd gears quickly, while taking its time with 3rd and 4th; helping the Palisade complete the ¼-mile in 15.3-seconds at 92 miles-per-hour.
It felt good in our handling course too, with moderately weighted steering feel and only minor amounts of understeer. Body roll was moderate, but it was easy to keep a smooth consistent pace through the cones, with very little stability control intervention, and no drama to speak of. A new tow mode has been added to bring drive mode options to 7, allowing the transmission to hold onto gears a little longer, but max towing capability remains at 5,000-lbs. It’s integrated into Hyundai’s active HTRAC all-wheel-drive system which is available in all trims and uses selective braking not only to enhance traction in slippery situations but provide handling benefits by helping the vehicle rotate through turns. Brakes were quite good as well despite a very soft pedal; only moderate nosedive, with straight and smooth stops of just 108-feet from 60.
Safety and driver assistance technology also get upgraded, along with added Remote Smart Parking Assist and enhanced Highway Driving Assist. And finally, Hyundai follows the trend of off-road inspired utilities with a new toughened up XRT trim.
Pricing starts at just $36,545, with top Calligraphy coming in at only $50,495. All-wheel-drive is a $1,900 option with all trims.
So, a lot of little and some not so little things have changed about the 2023 Hyundai Palisade 3-row SUV. But, the most important thing of all hasn’t changed. That is, the Palisade continues to deliver an amazing amount of luxury, practicality, and comfort at a quite attainable price. Sounds like business as usual for Hyundai.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.8L V6
- Horsepower: 291
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.3 seconds at 92 mph
- 60-0 Braking: 108 feet (avg)
- EPA: 19 City / 25 Highway / 21 Combined
- MW Fuel Economy: 24.9 mpg
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition
Hyundai Turns To The Dark Side To Create A Special Palisade
Hyundai turned the page on their lineup when they launched the three-row Palisade crossover utility 4 years ago. Still the same Hyundai value we loved, but with more luxury, and more room for growing families. Now for their next big hit, it looks like Hyundai is working on their night moves.
If you’ve been following the auto industry, you’ve probably noticed a darkness setting in. No, we’re not talking about EV mandates, we’re talking about the increasing number of manufacturers invoking darkness or using some reference to the color black to create special editions of their vehicles or note their highest trim level. Well, that’s what we have here with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, a way to take the range-topping Calligraphy trim to an even higher level of exclusivity.
Available in either Abyss Black or this Hyper White, the Night Edition applies a dark chrome treatment to the grille, rear bumper, and door moldings. There’s also glossy black trim for both the front and rear fascias, as well as the roof rails, while door handles are now body color. Finishing it off are 20-inch “black liquid” wheels and unique finishes for all logos including the HTRAC badge that signifies all-wheel drive, which is standard here in the Calligraphy Night Edition, optional on most lesser Palisades.
All-wheel drives get additional Snow and Tow driving modes, as well as the ability to lock in a 50/50 torque split. All Palisades share the same V6 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter unit which produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Nothing changes there, but it’s more than enough to move this big utility down the road with ease and pull 5,000 lbs. of trailer, aided by the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition to steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, minimal buttons for controlling the transmission share space on a rising center console which also houses the touch sensitive climate controls. On top of the dash sits a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation standard on all Palisades. A separate 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster resides in front of the driver on Limited trim and above.
As for the rest of the interior, Night Editions adds a unique blackout theme with some added dark aluminum trim and devilish 630 watts of Harmon Kardon premium audio. There are also some exclusive premium micro-suede materials on the seats, though most of our staff felt they didn’t seem quite as luxurious as the Nappa leather seats in the regular Calligraphy. Second row captain’s chairs here of course, plus a power folding third row that holds three Palisades come as both seven or right seaters with up to 16 cupholders! There’s also adequate room for adults in that third row, though seating comfort drastically improves moving forward. Cargo capacity remains a strong point for the Palisade, with 18.0 cubic-feet available behind the third row, 45.8 behind the second, and a max of 86.4 with all seatbacks folded.
At Mason Dixon Dragway, the Night Edition delivered a moderate dose of power, enough to battle a little wheel spin off the line leading to a steady jog to 60 of 7.6 seconds; about a half second slower than the last Palisade we tested. Gear changes happened smoothly, causing minor power flow pauses throughout the quarter-mile, completed in 15.8 seconds at a respectable 90 mph.
This big unibody bruiser is suspended with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent setup in back. They provided a surprisingly nimble platform for shuffling through our handling course. There was a reasonable amount of feedback through the steering wheel, helping us stay on top of the slight understeer that we encountered. There was very soft pedal action in our panic braking runs, along with a reasonable amount of nosedive, but 102-foot stops from 60 rate great!
All Palisades come with a healthy complement of active safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Highway Driving Assist, while Calligraphies add a more advanced Parking Collision Avoidance Assist system. With all-wheel drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined.
Even with the Night Edition establishing a new high mark, it’s still priced less than many large three-row utilities at $55,245. That’s $3,500 over the standard Calligraphy, and about $17,000 more than the base SE Palisade.
So, when it comes to this 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, there’s no need to be afraid of the dark. The only thing lurking in the shadows here is more tremendous value, something that Hyundai has been bringing to light for years and years.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.8-liter V6
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 291
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.8 seconds at 90 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 102 feet
- EPA: 19 City | 24 Highway | 21 Combined