2023 Palisade trims

Reviewed by Mark TakahashiMark Takahashi

Overview

If you have a growing family but aren't ready to take the minivan route, fear not, there are plenty of three-row SUVs that are capable alternatives. The Hyundai Palisade is one of the best in this class and this year's changes and additions should make it even more attractive. Like the closely related Kia Telluride, the Palisade provides a wealth of interior space for up to eight passengers. It's also similarly easy to drive and gets you a lot of features for the money, while distinguishing itself with a more luxurious style and personality.

The Palisade's softer suspension tuning trades some handling confidence for comfort when compared to the Telluride, but not to the extent that it could be a deciding factor between the two. If you're one of the rare shoppers seeking more driver engagement, the Mazda CX-9 or Volkswagen Atlas may be more to your liking. Compared to other SUVs in the class, the Palisade isn't quite as fuel efficient as the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander (especially the hybrid Highlander), but when the final scores are tallied, the Hyundai Palisade still comes out on top overall.

Pros

Lots of standard features for the price. Accommodating and luxurious interior. Intuitive infotainment system.

Cons

Not as fuel efficient as some rivals. Handling is on the lazy side.

Verdict

The Hyundai Palisade checks all of the boxes required of three-row SUVs. It's easy to drive, spacious, comfortable, and has all of the latest technology. It also is priced lower than some rivals and comes with the industry's most generous warranty.

What's New for 2023

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade gets a styling refresh inside and out, along with a new XRT trim that adds a little attitude to the lineup. A Wi-Fi hotspot is new to the features list, as are a driver seat massage function and heated third-row seats.

Trims and Pricing

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Every trim level comes standard with front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is a $1,900 option). The SEL is the most popular trim, and it's also our pick for the best value. We'll explain why.

SE

The entry-level SE starts at $36,245 (including a $1,295 shipping fee). Standard exterior features include fully automatic LED headlights, heated auto-dimming side mirrors, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Driver safety assists include lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, pedestrian/cyclist detection, a backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, safe exit assist, and a driver drowsiness alert system. Inside the SE's cabin, passengers will find cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat, a fold-flat third-row seat, proximity keyless entry, second-row air conditioning controls, adaptive cruise control, a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a navigation system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

SEL

The midlevel SEL starts at $39,245 and adds roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, simulated leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, replaces the second row bench with captain's chairs (reducing passenger capacity to seven), three-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and the ability to use your smartphone as a key. It's the version we drove before this year's refresh, and we think it represents the best overall value.

An optional Premium package is offered for this trim and includes 20-inch wheels, an auto-leveling air suspension, front parking sensors, a sunroof, ventilated front and second-row seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a digital instrument panel, a household power outlet, rear window shades, USB ports for the third row, a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and an intercom system.

XRT

The new XRT trim starts at $41,545 and adds some attitude with dark styling accents that include 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out grille, roof rails, and door handles. You also get rugged-looking bumpers, a sunroof, and black upholstery.

Limited

The Limited trim includes all of the SEL's features, as well as the Premium package for $47,795. You also get body-colored wheel arches, dual sunroofs, a head-up display, leather upholstery, additional thigh support for the driver seat, and power folding/reclining heated third-row seats. Though pricey, the Limited still offers good value compared to the Honda Pilot, which has similar equipment but tops out well over $50K.

Calligraphy

At the top of the range is the $50,195 Calligraphy model with its special design and premium luxury touches. Added features include exclusive styling flourishes, unique 20-inch wheels, puddle lamps, premium leather upholstery, additional massage functions for the driver seat, upgraded second-row headrests, quilted leather door panels, a microfiber suede headliner, interior ambient lighting, a digital rearview mirror, reverse automatic braking, and remote self-parking.

Engine and Performance

The Hyundai Palisade has a single engine offering: a 3.5-liter V6 that musters 291 horsepower. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this SUV is smooth, quiet, and capable. The Palisade prioritizes comfort over sporty performance. While its ride quality is well controlled and its steering precise, it never feels nimble. Competitors Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango offer a more athletic feel and higher horsepower engines, but drivers will welcome the Palisade's ability to eat up highway miles in soothing silence. On occasion, the eight-speed transmission will hesitate as it searches for the right gear, but we never found it bothersome.

Fuel Economy

Gas mileage is one of the few areas where the Palisade fails to rise above midpack. Environmental Protection Agency estimates are 19 mpg during city driving, and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 19/25 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive. With front-wheel drive, the Honda Pilot earns 1/1 mpg city/highway with all-wheel drive. The Toyota Highlander equipped with a V6 engine and all-wheel drive beats the Hyundai by 1/2 mpg.

Interior

The Hyundai Palisade is a very accommodating SUV, with a spacious second row and enough room in the third row for adults or tall teens. A three-person bench seat is standard in the second row of the base SE trim, while the Palisade SEL offers optional captain's chairs. Upper trims come with captain's chairs only. Legroom is generous, and the captain's chairs provide both seat heating and cooling. A power-folding mechanism is also available for both rows, which is a convenient feature typically found on luxury brand vehicles such as the popular Lexus RX.

At the SEL level, cabin finishes include soft-touch padded surfaces and leather. Step up to the Limited trim, and the Palisade looks and feels even more luxurious. We're not big fans of the fussy push-button gear selector, but Palisade owners will quickly acclimate to the atypical setup.

With numerous small-storage bins and a large center console between the front seats, there's always a convenient place to stash cellphones and personal items. With both back rows of rear seats folded, the Palisade has a class-competitive 86 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold only the third-row seat to open up over 45 cubic feet behind the second row to stow athletic equipment and baby gear. With the third row in place, there's still 18 cubic feet available, which is average for the class. Those who regularly carry six to eight passengers plus loads of gear may want to consider the Volkswagen Atlas with 20 cubic feet behind the third row or the Chevrolet Traverse with 23 cubic feet.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Hyundai Palisade offers two of the most user-friendly infotainment systems in the midsize-SUV class. A large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation is standard. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and can connect multiple devices via Bluetooth and are helped by a new Wi-Fi hotspot. Overall usability is excellent, with the ability to display multiple functions on the single screen. Physical buttons provide shortcuts to main functions, making it easy to navigate the features.

Safety

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a top five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for frontal crash protection and four stars for rollover resistance. While the 2023 Palisade has not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, last year's model was designated a Top Safety Pick+.

All Palisade trim levels include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver-drowsiness alert, and a rear-occupant alert. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit assist (which sounds an alert and prevents passengers from opening a door into oncoming traffic) are also standard. When equipped with Highway Driving Assist, the Palisade works in conjunction with the adaptive cruise control to keep the vehicle centered in its lane (although the driver must keep a hand on the wheel). In our experience, it worked extremely well with minimal bouncing between lanes as long as the road is relatively straight.

Hyundai Palisade vs. the Competition

TrueCar Expert Review Methodology

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What is the difference between the 2022 and 2023 Palisade?

Does the 2023 Palisade have a sunroof?

Will the 2023 Palisade have power folding mirrors?

What colors will the 2023 Palisade come in?