Text by Tom Appel
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Specs
Class: Midsize crossover
Color: Robust Emerald
Seating Capacity: 7
Miles driven: 128
Real-world fuel economy: 20.8 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter |
| Engine Type | V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/24/21 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $52,100 (not including $1335 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Carpeted floor mats ($215)
Price as tested: $53,650
Pros and Cons
The great: Premium cabin appointments, generous passenger space
The good: Plenty of power, decent fuel economy, long-trip comfort
The not so good: Though still an excellent value, annual price increases have been significant
Overview
Truth: Since its launch in 2020, no fewer than half a dozen neighbors and acquaintances have asked me if a Hyundai Palisade test vehicle was “the new” Land Rover/Range Rover. Rarely has a carmaker done such an impressive job designing a vehicle that punches above its price class.
On some level the story is getting old. The Hyundai Palisade—and its mechanical cousin the Kia Telluride—look and feel genuinely premium, and to some extent put much more expensive crossovers to shame. But we probably all know that by now. Perhaps in response to our collective jadedness, Hyundai is inching its big and well-regarded crossover even further upmarket…
For 2024, Hyundai is pushing the Palisade a little further upmarket. Capping a comprehensive trim level flight of models that ascends though the entry level SE (about $38,000), SEL ($41,000), off-road-oriented XRT ($43,000), upscale Limited ($49,000), and premium Calligraphy ($52,000), is the new ’24 Calligraphy Night Edition ($55,000). The Night Edition’s upgrades over the standard Calligraphy consist mostly of unique trim elements, though the polished black wheels that come as part of the Night Edition group are pretty snazzy.
All Palisades are powered by the same 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6. The smooth and torque-rich engine mates to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All trim levels are offered with front-wheel drive or available AWD, except for the Night Edition which comes only with AWD.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of the 2024 Palisade in penultimate Calligraphy trim with AWD and in very dark (see pictures below) Robust Emerald. Save for the addition of the Night Edition to the lineup, the Palisade is unchanged for 2024. You can read our full review of a 2023 Calligraphy here. Today, instead of focusing on the big Hyundai’s impressive premium-vehicle credentials, we’d like to concentrate on why the Palisade is, at its core, such a good family vehicle. Here’s a list:
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy:
5 Cool (Family) Things
Place for Everyone
Here’s good news: Even if you have the driver’s seat adjusted all the way rearward, junior in the 2nd-row seat isn’t likely to be able to kick your seatback. The Palisade is seriously roomy, and 2nd’row seating area is no less spacious than the front row. More good news: The 3rd-row is pretty roomy, too, even for occasional use by a full-size adult.
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Power for Everything
No little turbos here. The Palisades beefy V6 produces plenty of useful torque at very low speeds, which mean that there’s always muscle for pulling away from a stop, or plugging a hole in traffic. Additionally, the engine is very smooth, sounds good when pushed, and is pretty easy on the gas. We broke 20 mpg in mostly city driving, which, given the power, is pretty impressive.
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Space for Anything
With almost 90 cubic feet of available cargo space, the Palisade is among the more spacious midsize crossovers. Note that even with the 3rd-row seats up and in use, there’s still more than 18 cubic feet of space available for groceries and kitty litter.
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Comfort for Miles
The Palisade boasts a quiet cabin and surprisingly compliant ride. So, as a midsize crossover should, this big Hyundai will serve families well on long trips. Easy conversation between seating rows, even at highway speeds, helps the miles pass more quickly.
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Music for Critical Ears
Alright, this is sort of a luxury thing, for it matters to some folks. The Harman Kardon audio system, standard on the Calligraphy is very good, and a wonderful thing to have on regular commutes or long drive. This author found the system well suited to mid-century American jazz often heard in Consumer Guide test cars.
Review
While our test car came to more than $50,000 with options, lesser Palisade trim levels are offered, and are not considerably less rewarding to operate. We recommend budget-conscious shoppers test drive the value-priced SEL model, which sticker’s for less than $43,000 with options.
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
