The 2023 Hyundai Palisade adds new tech features, updated styling, and a new XRT trim (first seen on the Tucson and Santa Fe) to the three-row SUV’s resume. For 2023, Hyundai gave its three-row schooner a facelift and additional equipment. Our first drive of the new Palisade revealed a comfortable, dynamically sound crossover that can even fulfill the promise of decent if rarely used, off-road capability. How cool can a family-sized three-row SUV be? It can be pretty cool if that vehicle is the new 2023 Hyundai Palisade SUV. This square but not too square SUV showed up and took the world by storm. Along with its corporate cousin, Kia Telluride, the Palisade quickly became one of the hottest SUVs in the market. A new version for the 2023 model year brings an impressive cool factor to the three-row SUV class. The seating configuration of this Hyundai SUV delivers enough room for two adults to sit in the third row. On cold mornings, passengers hate this row because the seats aren’t heated. That changes in the 2023 version, which offers a set of heated third-row seats to ensure everyone is comfortable. The front grille and nose area of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade SUV are incredibly detailed and attractive. You’ll see a chunky grille that almost looks like this SUV is showing off its teeth. The headlights, located far to the outside, give plenty of room to show those pearly whites, or in this case, chromes. Select the HTRAC AWD system for the Palisade and add the new tow mode to the mix. This allows you to pull a trailer or boat with ease. How much can the Palisade tow? This Hyundai SUV can pull up to 5,000 pounds. That might not be truck-like, but it’s enough to handle a medium boat or trailer filled with camping gear.
The 3.8-liter V-6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with the eight-speed automatic also carry over. The Palisade is still available in front- or all-wheel drive; we sampled an all-wheel-drive Calligraphy model during our visit to Asheville. The V-6 provides adequate oomph for a vehicle of this size—the Palisade never felt lethargic in city traffic, and merging onto the highway was a breeze. We recorded a 6.9-second sprint to 60 mph for the Palisade in a 2020 comparison test, and we’d expect a similar result with the new version.
While ascending a steep hill can sometimes leave the transmission flummoxed, shuffling through the ratios as it searches for the right gear, the eight-speed generally shifts smoothly around town. Mashing the throttle can also catch the transmission off guard, although switching into Sport mode provides more aggressive shifts. The Palisade is also fitted with paddle shifters, but don’t be fooled into thinking they make this big SUV an engaging drive. Their unhurried shifts didn’t make the Palisade noticeably quicker. A facelift for the 2023 model year gives the Palisade a more squared-off appearance. The new look is enhanced by updated wheel designs and the cabin has received some new features. The Palisade’s instrument panel has a higher-resolution 12.0-inch infotainment display, a redesigned steering wheel, and updated upholstery options. New features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated third-row seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. A rugged-looking XRT model joins the lineup and comes with 20-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and other design flourishes. The Palisade’s biggest competitor has always been the mechanically similar Kia Telluride, but that model is also due for a refresh this year, which means the rivalry is sure to continue. The steering is precise and sufficiently weighty—switching to Sport mode adds heft but no feedback. The Palisade rides fairly smoothly, although it can feel a bit taut over rougher pavement, and the body roll is well controlled for such a large vehicle. The brakes, while devoid of feel, stop the 4500-pound SUV well enough (hauling it down from 70 mph in a class-competitive 173 feet in that 2020 comparison test). Hyundai touted increased sound deadening for 2023, but we still heard a fair amount of wind noise whooshing by the sizable side-view mirrors at highway speeds.
While the school pickup line and Target parking lot are the Palisade’s usual haunts, Hyundai nonetheless wanted to demonstrate the SUV’s adventurous side. (A new XRT trim level plays up that theme but doesn’t include any meaningful hardware upgrades.) On a mild off-road trail, traversing through muddy puddles and deep ruts, the Palisade proved to be a surprisingly capable companion. It absorbed small bumps well, and the ultrasharp front, rear, and bird’s-eye camera views helped us avoid skirmishes with rocks and trees. Still, the pavement-oriented tires struggled for grip in the mud, and we wouldn’t recommend pushing the Palisade beyond a dirt two-track.
Inside, the Palisade is just as pleasant as before. Hyundai provides a luxurious cabin for a fairly affordable price. The Calligraphy’s interior is full of supple materials, such as the Nappa leather that wraps the extremely comfortable seats. New for 2023 is the Ergo Motion driver’s seat, which automatically starts massaging your back and bottom during a long drive to help reduce fatigue. The seats also tighten the bolstering around your ribs when you engage in Sport mode, making you feel snugger when you’re navigating twistier roads or just need a hug.
The Palisade now comes standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, which displays a crisp, modern graphics, and the refresh adds several features that are crucial for placating a crowd. Along with available heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows, the third row gains optional heated seats—just like the new Range Rover—while the second row is also fitted with adjustable wings on the headrests to keep noggins from flopping over during naptime. The Palisade becomes the first Hyundai to offer a Wi-Fi hotspot, providing 4G LTE service from Verizon, and it features the latest version of Hyundai Digital Key, which allows owners to use an iPhone, an Apple Watch, or a Samsung Galaxy to lock, unlock, and start their car instead of a key. Six USB-C and one USB-A port plus a wireless charging pad should keep everyone’s devices charged up.
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