2025 Hyundai Palisade Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
As its Malibu-adjacent name implies, the Palisade is the most upscale model in the Hyundai lineup. Carrying over mostly unchanged for 2025, the Hyundai Palisade received a major refresh for the 2023 model year and added a sleek Calligraphy Night Edition model for 2024. As one of our favorite models in the three-row SUV segment, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade faces off against the Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
Hyundai also offers a smaller three-row with equally bold design—read about the Santa Fe here.
What’s New
- SEL Premium trim
- Standard front parking sensors and 360-degree camera for the XRT model
- Auto-dimming side mirrors no longer standard on base model
What We Think
Hyundai's Palisade challenges traditional thinking about what it means to be a luxury car. Stuffed with near-luxury amenities, and some downright swanky materials when equipped at the range-topping Calligraphy trim, the Palisade brings the fight to other three-row SUVs by offering incredible value for its price.
The Palisade’s ride and handling balance aided its win in our seven-way three-row SUV comparison test. We also praised its mostly spacious interior and effective driver assist tech. Still, the Palisade isn’t without its shortcomings. We've criticized the Palisade's tight third row, and although we typically appreciate physical buttons over vague haptic controls, the Hyundai Palisade's center console is a bit cluttered. Its dual-pane sunroof isn't as luxe as panoramic glass.
Shoppers will overlook these flaws when they fire up the Palisade's available massaging driver's seat and crank up the tunes on the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Even lower-level versions of Hyundai's biggest model come standard with large displays and abundant infotainment features. The Palisade falls just short of true luxury, but it gives a good enough impression of a much pricier vehicle that you probably won't care what badge is on the grille.
Performance and MPGs
Every 2025 Hyundai Palisade comes equipped with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine developing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the entire model range. Most models are standard with front-wheel drive and optional with all-wheel drive, except the top-level Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, in which AWD is the only choice. In our instrumented testing, a Palisade Calligraphy with AWD accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 19/26 mpg city/highway with FWD, and 19/24 mpg with AWD.
Safety Ratings and Features
The Palisade performs well in IIHS crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation testing. The 2024 model received the institute’s second-highest award, Top Safety Pick, and the 2025 model should also earn strong crash test scores. NHTSA gave the 2024 Palisade a five-star overall safety, and we expect the same this year.
Hyundai's SmartSense suite of active safety and driver assist tech is standard on every 2025 Palisade. All models include automatic high-beams, front and rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision mitigation, side cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Up the trim walk, Hyundai includes emergency evasive steering assist, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, and enhanced adaptive cruise control.
2025 Hyundai Palisade Seating
Depending on trim level, the Palisade can seat seven or eight people. The base SE trim has eight seats thanks to its standard second-row bench. Next in the lineup, the SEL trim can be configured with either seven or eight seats, with seven-seat models featuring captain’s chairs in the second row. On higher trims, the Palisade is only available in the seven-seat configuration.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Hyundai Palisade's cabin is one of the larger interiors within the three-row SUV segment. Cargo capacity is slightly down compared to rivals, but second-row legroom is abundant. Some adults will find the third row a bit cramped, although that's typical among vehicles in this segment.
Technology
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade comes equipped with a lengthy list of high-tech features. All models feature a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Other features include dual Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi hot spot capability, three front-row USB ports, and dual second-row ports. Although lower trims make do with a standard 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, higher trims receive a fully digital 12.3-inch screen in place of all analog dials. The Palisade's screens are easy to read and very responsive to inputs. Other available tech includes third-row USB ports, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 360-degree camera, and a digital rearview mirror.
Trim Levels: What Is the Palisade Calligraphy?
Hyundai offers the Palisade in seven trims for 2025: SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night Edition. Calligraphy models receive the best equipment on offer, including standard AWD, Nappa leather seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, a massaging driver's seat with automatic ergonomic support, and the automaker's key-fob-activated remote parking assistance. The Calligraphy Night Edition is decked out in dark exterior and interior accents.
