The Hyundai Palisade has been one of the brand’s most popular and highly acclaimed models since it went on sale in 2020, and now it’s been updated for 2023 with a few significant upgrades to keep it near the top of the three-row crossover SUV segment.
The Palisade’s exterior was given a light refresh with a new grille and rear fascia, while the interior received a similarly subtle makeover and was dressed with higher quality materials.
Starting prices range from $36,545 to $52,395 across five trim levels that all offer the choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive and come with either seven or eight passenger seating.
A new mid-level Palisade XRT brings rugged styling with faux skid plates, rocker panel protection and dark finish trim, but remains mechanically identical to the other models with 7.9-inches of ground clearance that’s fine for dirt roads and snow, but doesn’t add anything to make it a hardcore off-roader.
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The Palisade’s 291 horsepower V6 and eight-speed transmission carry over from the outgoing version. Highway fuel economy has been improved from 26 to 27 mpg with front-wheel-drive and from 24 to 25 mpg with all-wheel-drive, which matches up well to most of its competitors, but trails the Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s combined 35/34 mpg rating by a wide margin.
All Palisades are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the all-wheel-drive versions get a special Tow Mode for the drivetrain programmed to hold on to gears longer and shift less often when pulling a heavy load.
New features include an available WiFi hotspot, USB-C ports throughout the cabin, heated third row seats and a massaging driver’s seat. Its overall comfort and refinement remain among the best in class, both around town and on the highway.
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There are adult amounts of legroom in all three rows, and the cargo area is big enough for a few bags even with the third-row seats in their upright position. Below it, you’ll find a particularly deep wheelbarrow storage area.
A 360-degree camera on top models displays on the standard 12-inch infotainment system, spot monitoring cameras that pop up in the instrument panel and Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assistant lane centering cruise control and the Hyundai Digital Key turns a smartphone or smartwatch into a key that can be sent to other devices.
But it’s the regular keyfob that lets you drive the Palisade in a very different way.
It’s used for the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature that can pull the Palisade into or out of a tight parking space while you’re standing nearby, but it’s much nicer being in it.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade
Base price: $36,545
As tested: $52,310
Type: 4-door, 7-passenger all-wheel-drive SUV
Engine: 3.8-liter V6
Power: 291 hp, 262 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
MPG: 19 city/25 hwy
