The Hyundai Palisade has remained one of our favorite three-row family SUVs since its launch for the 2020 model year, when it earned our Best of 2020 award. Four years later, the Palisade remains one of the best choices in the category, with a spacious, well-equipped interior, capable handling, and a lot of value for the money.
Related: 2024 Hyundai Palisade Review: Still the Champ
While several competitors have launched newer designs since the Palisade’s arrival, regular updates and steady improvements have helped keep it competitive. An extensive freshening for 2023 brought further enhancements, including updated tech and styling tweaks, to maintain the Palisade’s edge while maintaining its strong value.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent some time with a Palisade in the new Calligraphy Night Edition trim, and he found it still checks all the right boxes — or at least most of them. Tap the link above for his full expert review; for a quicker rundown, read on to learn six things we like about the 2024 Hyundai Palisade and two things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Impressive Infotainment
The Palisade gets a standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen running Hyundai’s latest multimedia system, and it’s one of the best such systems currently available. With sharp graphics and logical menus, it’s easy to use and operate even while underway. The only downside is that the system isn’t compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and still requires a corded connection.
2. Comfortable Cruiser
We found the front seats in the Calligraphy trim to be exceptionally comfortable, with good support and ample leg- and headroom. Larger drivers might find the wide center console and prominent interior door pulls reduce room to spread out, something that’s not an issue with the similar Kia Telluride and its slimmer console. Available power-folding second-row captain’s chairs are just as comfy as the front seats and can tilt and slide forward for easier access to the third row. The third row can accommodate adults, but it’s best reserved for kids when it comes to long trips.
3. Clever Console Storage
The upside of the Palisade’s big, wide console is a lot more storage space. A novel bin system allows for some customization to accommodate items of different sizes, and reconfigurable cupholders offer additional storage. Hyundai has maximized use of the space by relocating the shifter to buttons on the dash, though we still prefer a conventional shift lever.
4. Capable Powertrain
Underneath its updated styling, the Palisade remains largely unchanged. Power comes from the same normally aspirated 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 used since its launch, even as competitors have rolled out more fuel-efficient turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains or hybrids. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either standard front- or available all-wheel drive, there’s plenty of power for highway passing and merging, though others offer a bit more punch.
5. Ride and Handling
With 20-inch wheels and low-profile tires, ride quality in our Calligraphy trim Palisade was acceptable (though with rather pronounced road noise). Both might be improved by going with a lesser trim equipped with 18-inch wheels and tires. While the Palisade is not one of the more engaging three-row SUVs to drive, handling is predictable and capable. The steering is accurate but light on feedback, and strong, easily modulated brakes are ready to haul the Palisade down from highway speeds.
6. Strong Value
The Palisade starts at just over $38,000 (all prices include destination) for a base SE with FWD, and our fully loaded Calligraphy Night Edition rang in at $55,600. With six trims to choose from, chances are good that most families can find a Palisade that suits their needs — and for less than the $48,000 average price of a new car. That makes it nothing short of a screaming deal.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. No Wireless Apple CarPlay
As much as we like the upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s standard in the Palisade, it mystifies us why the system is still not compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; both require a wired connection. What makes it even more peculiar is that wireless smartphone connectivity is available in most other Hyundais, including more basic models. It seems like a curious oversight that it isn’t available even on upper Palisade trims.
2. Push-Button Shifter
We appreciate the big console storage box and extra room available thanks to the configurable cupholders, but not at the cost of a push-button shifter to free up all that space. The console-mounted buttons work well enough, but they aren’t as intuitive or easy to operate as a conventional shifter, especially when you’re in a hurry.
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