2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its styling update. The new front fascia with bolder strokes framed the headlights, giving the SUV a stronger look. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, with LED taillights standard on SEL and higher trims. The squared-off grille added to the Palisade's imposing appearance. Body-color mirrors were standard, featuring heated, powered, and auto-dimming functions. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, a unique grille, and a wider rear spoiler. The new XRT trim featured a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels. The Calligraphy trim's multi-spoke alloy wheel design conveyed a premium feel, and a new color, Robust Emerald, was available for Calligraphy models.

Inside, the Calligraphy-trim tester was stylish, with dark seats brightened by a dual-pane sunroof. The interior featured premium Nappa leather, with the base SE model offering cloth seats. Heated, eight-way power-adjustable seats were standard in all trims except SE, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows. Second-row seats came in a bench configuration for SE models, with captain's chairs standard in higher trims. The available Premium package for SEL models allowed for higher-end features without opting for the top trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. It was available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition trims, with prices ranging from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels, available only in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors. The interior boasted leather with artificial suede inserts, an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated interior design, making it feel like a luxury SUV.

The Calligraphy Night Edition came with all-wheel drive and a mix of dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim. The interior featured a black theme with leather and artificial suede inserts. The Night Edition's artificial suede headliner added a touch of luxury to the mass-market midsize family SUV. The overall sophistication of the interior, combined with quality materials, made the Palisade feel upscale.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, making it competitive in its class. It was more powerful than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, slightly more so than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder, and just a bit less than the Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with standard paddle shifters, and power was routed to the front wheels by default, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as a $1,900 option. The HTRAC AWD system was capable on muddy off-road courses, though the Palisade was not designed for rock-crawling. It offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, with AWD models featuring a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for front-wheel-drive models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade also featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUV's front wheels were powered by default, with AWD available. The Palisade had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offered eight inches of ground clearance. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, were available, and the AWD system could be locked for off-road use. The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, with the transmission always in the right gear. The AWD system distributed power effectively on dirt and gravel roads. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for AWD models, though real-world testing showed an average of 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode. The Palisade's suspension was tuned for a firmer ride, offering excellent visibility and a quiet interior on the highway. It displayed some athleticism on mountain and canyon roads, with predictable handling and reliable brakes.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for seven or eight passengers, with 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume measured 155.3 cubic feet. The second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row with a standard one-touch seat slide, and ingress/egress handles made climbing into the back easier. The third row and second-row bench seats featured 60/40-split seats that folded flat, manually in lower trims and with a power switch in Limited and Calligraphy. Cargo space totaled 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with all but the front-row seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base SE trim. The Palisade had HVAC vents in all three rows and provided two cupholders per person. The center console included a phone holder and space for a bag on the shelf below. Physical buttons and knobs were laid out compactly, and automatic dual-zone climate control was standard in SEL and up.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered various seating options, with the base SE trim featuring cloth seats and other trims offering H-Tex artificial leather, real leather, premium Nappa leather, or premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts. Heated eight-way power-adjustable front seats were standard on all but the SE trim, with a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats available on SEL and standard on Limited. The Limited trim included memory settings and an adjustable thigh support cushion for the driver, while the Calligraphy trim added an Ergo Motion massage function. The Calligraphy Night Edition test vehicle was comfortable, with simulated suede seat inserts and a black interior. The Palisade offered configurable storage between the front seats, with a shallow console-top tray, a large storage bin, and a wireless smartphone charger. Second-row passengers enjoyed a three-person bench seat in SE trim, with captain's chairs standard in other trims. Heated and ventilated captain's chairs were available on SEL and standard on higher trims. The top three trims featured heated third-row seats and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, with 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade introduced WiFi hotspot capability, standard on every trim, and a new 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available on SEL models and standard on Limited and Calligraphy. Up to two devices could connect via Bluetooth, and up to seven could charge using USB ports. A wireless charger was standard on all but the base trim. The Palisade offered a 4.2-inch color driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. An in-car intercom was optional on SEL and standard on Limited and Calligraphy. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard on all trims, with enhancements for 2023. The Palisade was the first vehicle to get Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, available with the SEL Premium option package or on higher trims. All Palisades had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. Bluelink+ offered connected services at no cost for original owners. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was part of the SEL Premium package and standard on higher trims. Additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The available head-up display showed navigation instructions, safety feature status, and blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 model, with improvements in safety features for 2023. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. All trims had navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with stop and go and curve control functions, as well as intelligent speed limit assist. Highway Driving Assist I was standard on lower trims, with Highway Driving Assist II available on SEL and standard on higher trims. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, intersection assist, safe exit assist, automatic high-beam headlights, rear parking sensors, and a rear-seat reminder system. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with curve speed control and lane-centering assist. The SEL Premium package added lane-change assist, front parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view and Blind-Spot View Monitor camera system. The Palisade Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night Edition offered three layers of blind-spot safety. The 2024 Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though some crash tests were incomplete.