The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, a sleek new offering in Hyundai’s lineup, has earned its place in the spotlight for families looking for a premium SUV without the premium price tag. With its updated design, features, and technology, the Palisade continues to impress and offer a sophisticated driving experience. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the interior and safety features, performance, technology, and overall value to determine if the Palisade is truly a luxury SUV in disguise.

Interior & Safety Features

Interior Design and Comfort

One of the first things you’ll notice about the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is its interior, especially in the Calligraphy Night Edition. While it boasts a monochromatic color scheme, the variety of textures used throughout creates a visually rich and luxurious experience. Shiny black plastics, often a deterrent due to their tendency to collect fingerprints and dust, are treated with STP, which keeps the surfaces cleaner and adds a premium flair.

There’s no shortage of clever storage options either. The Palisade features a wireless charger and a conveniently located USB port in the center console, along with drink holders that neatly slide away when not in use. The under-console storage area is spacious, offering ample room for items like a purse or a snack (perhaps a croissant, as humorously mentioned during testing). The front-door storage, while narrow, has a designated spot for your phone, ensuring that everything has its place.

The adjustable side bolsters in the driver’s seat ensure comfort, even for those with narrower body types. Although initially, the side bolsters felt tight, they are adjustable, adding versatility. While the Nappa leather seats from the previous year’s Calligraphy trim were luxurious, this year’s seats are crafted from a soft, suede-like material, which is both visually appealing and pleasant to the touch.

Additionaly, You can read more about 2025 Kia Carnival

Second and Third Row Seating

The second-row seats in the Palisade are equally comfortable, with captain’s chairs that slide and recline to provide ample comfort for passengers. The third row, which is often the least desirable seating in SUVs, is surprisingly spacious in the Palisade, with adequate knee and foot clearance for children. The addition of power-reclining third-row seats and USB-C ports makes it even more family-friendly.

Accessing the third row is made easier by a small footstep and a handle, making it simple for even children to climb in. A thoughtful design ensures that the second-row captain’s chairs can slide forward with child seats installed, providing easy access to the third row.

Cargo space behind the third-row seats offers 18 cubic feet, and the seats conveniently fold flat to increase capacity. For those looking for more cargo room, the Kia Telluride—Hyundai’s sibling model—offers about 3 more cubic feet of space. The Palisade comes with an optional smart liftgate, which opens automatically when you stand by the back with the key in your pocket for three seconds.

Safety Features

In terms of safety, the Hyundai Palisade is a winner. While it lacks an overall safety rating, it’s been rated five stars for front impact by the NHTSA and has earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Additionally, the Palisade comes equipped with a full suite of active driver-assist features, including nine airbags, which is a significant safety plus for families.

The Hyundai Palisade excels at keeping your family safe with its numerous safety technologies, making it a top contender for family-friendly SUVs.

Exterior Design and Styling

The exterior of the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is where things get even more interesting. The Calligraphy Night Edition, which is a new trim for 2024, features black wheels, a dark chrome grille, and black roof rails, giving the SUV a sporty and sophisticated look. It’s a $1,500 upgrade from the base Calligraphy trim, adding a unique and bold appearance that sets it apart.

The design of the front end is notably distinct with faux headlights that give it an aggressive and sharp look. While the front design may not be to everyone’s taste, it certainly offers a unique visual identity in the crowded SUV market.

Driving Impressions

Performance and Ride Quality

On the road, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade proves to be a solid performer. The ride quality is smooth, handling suburban roads and rougher surfaces without much complaint. Despite its size, it’s not overly floaty, and it maintains a well-balanced drive. The eight-speed automatic transmission and 3.8L V6 engine provide ample power, ensuring that the Palisade can easily handle highway speeds and overtaking slower traffic.

While it’s not the quickest SUV on the market, its acceleration is responsive enough for daily driving, with a snappy response when you put the pedal to the metal. The all-wheel-drive system, combined with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, makes it capable in light off-road conditions, such as navigating snow or slippery roads.

Several driving modes, including Smart Mode and Comfort Mode, offer some customization to suit different driving preferences. Snow Mode is particularly useful in winter conditions, though it may dampen the throttle response, which some drivers may find less desirable in certain situations.

Maneuverability and Handling

Maneuverability is surprisingly good for a large SUV. The Palisade feels light and easy to drive, and despite its size, it doesn’t feel overly cumbersome in parking lots or tight spaces. Visibility is generally good, though the thick rear pillars can make it a little tricky to gauge the edges of the vehicle.

Technology and Infotainment

The Palisade’s infotainment system is both modern and functional, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though both are wired rather than wireless, which may be a deal-breaker for some users who prefer wireless connectivity. Hyundai has yet to offer wireless Apple CarPlay on its larger screens, despite offering it in smaller models.

The system is intuitive, and it includes features like Passenger Talk, which amplifies the driver’s voice to the rear passengers, making communication easier during long trips. Additionally, Quiet Mode ensures that the rear speakers can be muted, preventing disruptions if children are trying to sleep. The vehicle also includes safety features like seatbelt reminders for rear passengers.

Engine and Fuel Economy

Under the hood, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is powered by a 3.8L V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available for an extra $2,000, providing better traction in various conditions. The Palisade has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, making it a reliable choice for families who need to haul trailers or boats.

However, one downside is that there is no hybrid version of the Palisade, which may deter buyers looking for a more fuel-efficient option.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Spacious and comfortable interior with premium materials.
• Plenty of thoughtful storage and easy access to third-row seats.
• Advanced safety features, including a five-star front-impact rating and Top Safety Pick+ designation.
• Smooth and quiet ride with balanced driving dynamics.
• Smart liftgate and other convenience features.
• Family-friendly technology features like Passenger Talk and Quiet Mode.

Cons:

• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (no wireless option for larger screens).
• Thick rear pillars can hinder rear visibility.
• No hybrid option for better fuel economy.
• The exterior design may be polarizing for some.

Final Verdict: Is the Hyundai Palisade a Premium SUV?

While the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition doesn’t carry the prestige of luxury brands like Lexus, it does deliver on luxury features, interior quality, and value. It feels premium in terms of comfort, features, and driving experience, but it may not have the cachet of more well-known luxury nameplates. The Palisade offers a lot of luxury for the price, making it a compelling option for families looking for a premium SUV without paying premium prices.

Engine Choices & Fuel Economy

The only engine option for the Palisade is the 3.8L V6, providing enough power for most driving needs. However, those looking for a hybrid model will be disappointed, as Hyundai currently offers no hybrid option for the Palisade. Fuel economy is decent but not exceptional for its class, especially considering there’s no hybrid powertrain available.

Which Hyundai Palisade Trim Is Best?

For those looking to balance price and features, the SE trim provides the essentials, including heated front seats, a hands-free liftgate, and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It’s a great starting point for families who want a well-equipped SUV without spending too much.

Competitors

The Hyundai Palisade faces competition from its sibling, the Kia Telluride, as well as the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Volkswagen Atlas. Each of these SUVs offers similar features, but the Palisade’s combination of interior quality, technology, and price gives it a strong foothold in the three-row SUV segment.

What’s Your Favorite Feature? For our daughter, the standout feature is the interior styling, particularly the textures and stitching on the doors, which she finds visually appealing. It’s clear that Hyundai has put a lot of thought into the Palisade’s design to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

In conclusion, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition is a luxurious, family-friendly SUV that offers excellent value for money. Whether it’s the spacious interior, advanced safety features, or driving performance, the Palisade delivers on nearly every front, making it a worthy contender in the premium SUV market.

Author- Ayush