Introducing the 2024 Hyundai Palisade, the brand’s flagship SUV boasting three rows of seating. Manufactured in South Korea alongside its cousin, the Kia Telluride, the Palisade shares the same smooth-riding chassis and potent V6 engine. While the Telluride leans towards sportiness, the Palisade has carved a niche for itself in a competitive segment that includes the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and the new Toyota Grand Highlander.
Step inside the Palisade, and you’ll find a refined, user-friendly cabin loaded with cutting-edge technology. Its serene interior provides an ideal backdrop for long family road trips, accommodating eight passengers comfortably. However, the Honda and Chevy offer a tad more legroom in the third row and slightly more cargo space.
Behind the wheel, the Palisade impresses with light steering and a well-tuned suspension prioritizing comfort over sportiness. While the Telluride, new Mazda CX-90, and revamped Volkswagen Atlas offer a more engaging drive, the Honda Pilot TrailSport and Jeep Grand Cherokee L shine in off-road capability. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Palisade holds its ground in a growing hybrid market, competing with the likes of the Grand Highlander.
For 2024, the Palisade welcomes a new top-tier trim, the Calligraphy Night Edition. SEL models receive standard dual automatic temperature control and second-row automatic temperature control. The XRT trim now boasts manual rear side-window shades, while the Limited and Calligraphy models feature standard ambient lighting.
Under the hood, the 2024 Palisade boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination ensures a smooth, quiet, and capable ride, prioritizing comfort. Although it doesn’t provide the athleticism of rivals like the Ford Explorer, it excels at devouring highway miles in serene silence.
Fuel economy-wise, the Palisade is competitive among V6-powered three-row SUVs, with EPA estimates of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for front-wheel drive, and 19/25 mpg for all-wheel drive. While the new Grand Highlander’s fuel efficiency is yet to be officially rated, it’s expected to outperform the Palisade, particularly with its hybrid models.
The Palisade offers generous space in the second row, with optional captain’s chairs for SEL and standard captain’s chairs for upper trims. The cabin receives soft-touch finishes and leather at the SEL level, elevating the overall ambiance. However, the unconventional push-button gear selector may take some getting used to.
The Palisade’s interior shines with ample storage bins and a spacious center console. With both rear rows folded, it offers a competitive 86 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding only the third row provides over 45 cubic feet for sports equipment and baby gear. With all rows in place, there’s still 18 cubic feet available, on par with the class average.
The 2024 Palisade’s infotainment system is user-friendly, featuring a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The system is intuitive, with physical buttons for main functions, ensuring easy operation while driving.
In the realm of three-row family SUVs, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade distinguishes itself with a rich feature set, luxurious interior, and polished demeanor. While it may lack a sporty variant like the Ford Explorer ST, its smooth V6 powertrain offers an easygoing and comfortable ride. It may trail the Grand Highlander Hybrid in fuel economy, but it excels in value, surpassing competitors like the Explorer and Atlas, with the Kia Telluride being a close rival.
In summary, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is a standout choice in the three-row SUV segment, offering spaciousness, features, and value while exuding luxury and personality.
