*MSRP $50,800 — “This is a Hyundai?… It’s niiiiice!” was the consistent response when I pulled up in the Palisade Calligraphy AWD. I think big SUVs and trucks are making a comeback and the return is fierce. Hyundai, not really known for its large vehicles, premiered the Palisade back in 2018, and each year, brings the heat with great new features, a smooth ride, and fabulous curb appeal.
I took this baby out on the winding roads through the mountains on a girls’ camping trip. Everyone made favorable comments and we loved the customizable comfort each passenger was able to create for themselves.
Space, space, and more space: As should be expected, the Palisade is not lacking space! This seven-passenger love boat is plentiful with loads of leg room and comfort to spare. Even the last row provides enough wiggle room for medium-sized adults. It’s not a long SUV, so with the third row up, the cargo space is severely sacrificed, however. But a ‘secret’ cubby under the floor increases storage capacity.
Ladies in the second row were delighted because each of them found suitable cupholders and decent storage in the doors.
An SUV for grown-ups: Like I mentioned, passengers were happy! Each one was able to choose their own experience with temperature-controlled seats, charging ports (USB-C), plenty of legroom, and practically placed cup holders, not to mention the privacy screens on the doors (just a fun feature for the back seat riders). The second row is made up of two comfy captain chairs, which can be folded with the touch of a button, to access the third row or increase the cabin capacity. The third row is also controlled by a push button. Gone are the days of using your superhuman strength to fold seats – praise the heavens. With a combined seven USB/-C ports throughout the vehicle, everyone can stay connected, powered up and entertained. The front cabin of the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD features a sunroof while the rear can enjoy a sky view with a rear sunroof as well. Something each passenger made note of is the plush, microfiber headliner, which made the space feel a bit more comfy and lux.
One of my favorite driver’s features is the ergo-motion driver’s seat. On longer drives, the feature activates to support and improve the driver’s posture. The driver will experience an air cushion that inflates and retracts, like a massage, on their lower back. In different drive modes, like Sport, they’ll experience a ‘hug’ from their chair, better securing the driver for higher speeds and nimble driving.
Safety features you’ll love: The Palisade is souped up with tons of safety features to reduce distraction and improve the driver’s control. One important feature to note is the Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist which detects movement behind the vehicle. This feature was a bit surprising as it might be a little sensitive to any rear motion. Not only does it detect, but if it senses a possible collision, the vehicle will engage stop motion. When this feature activated, I was backing out of a parallel parking space and the parked vehicle behind me was detected and as a result, the vehicle engaged the parking brake. I had to change gears in order to release the brake. Though it was a little inconvenient, I think this feature is a great one to have. Other notable safety features include the Safe Exist Assist which detects oncoming traffic while the vehicle is parked, preventing passengers from unsafely exiting the vehicle into danger.
The Palisade is a winner in my eyes. With great safety and comfort features, smooth drive, and a spacious interior, this SUV is versatile and accessible, offering several price points depending on your budget. Note that the Calligraphy trim is a seven-passenger design, but the SE (MSRP 35,900) and SEL (MSRP 38,900) trims offer eight-passenger seating.
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