2023 Hyundai Palisade: As Upscale as 3-Row SUVs Get

A lot of folks assume that if you have a big family, you’ll automatically be relegated to the doldrums of minivan ownership, cursed to roam the land in a clunky, unstylish people-mover because nothing else fits you, your partner, your four kids, and the family pet.

Turns out, those folks would be wrong.

If you want something for the whole family, but you aren’t ready to say good-bye to style, we have a solution: the Hyundai Palisade, which recently won an award from Ward’s Auto for having one of the 10 best interiors in the industry.

Let’s check out some of the features that make the Hyundai Palisade one of the best-rated 7-passenger SUVs.

When it comes to most passenger vehicles, there are two different types of chassis style: unibody and body-on-frame. The latter is generally reserved for trucks and the largest of SUVs, and while they offer greater space and off-road capability, many people find them a bit unwieldy to drive in day-to-day life.

On the other hand, unibody frames are employed in everything from two-passenger cars to mid-size crossover SUVs. These vehicles tend to eschew rugged utility for a more comfortable ride. The Hyundai Palisade falls into the unibody category, which categorically makes it a mid-size SUV. In practice, though, it actually has a lot in common with larger full-size SUVs, like a Cadillac Escalade for instance.

Being Hyundai’s largest SUV, the Palisade is our brand’s most spacious “full-size” SUV offering—despite technically being classified mid-size, it boasts a longer body than many others in the segment, coming in at 196.1 inches from tip to end. This translates to an enormous boost in passenger and cargo volume.

Here are the Hyundai Palisade’s interior dimensions:

• Head room (front/middle/rear): 40.7 in. / 40.1 in. / 37.8 in
• Shoulder room (front/middle/rear): 61.2 in. / 60.8 in. / 55.2 in.
• Hip room (front/middle/rear): 58.1 in. / 57.7 in. / 43.7 in.
• Leg room (front/middle/rear): 44.1 in. /42.4 in. /31.4 in.
• Max passenger volume: 155.3 cu. ft.
• Cargo volume (behind 3^rd row): 18.0 cu. ft.
• Cargo volume (behind 2^nd row): 45.8 cu. ft.
• Cargo volume (behind 1^st row): 86.4 cu. ft.

Compare these measurements to other roomy SUVs for the family, and it becomes apparent that the Palisade has some of the best of its breed.

For instance, the GMC Acadia—currently GMC’s largest SUV without stepping up to full-size territory—has significantly less leg and hip room in all three rows, while also having 3.2 less cubic feet of storage  behind the rear seats. To put that into perspective, 3.2 cubic feet is a common measurement for a minifridge. That’s a pretty big hit.

This highlights a problem with many midsize SUVs: often, if it has a third row, it’s borderline nonfunctional unless the passenger happens to be a toddler, or performs in Cirque du Soleil. The best 3^rd row SUVs like the Hyundai Palisade are spacious and functional.

The Hyundai SUV isn’t just one of the largest 7-passenger SUVs, either. The Palisade has both 7-passenger and 8-passenger configurations, with the option to have either second-row captain’s chairs, or 60/40-split bench seating.

Comfort Amenities

In keeping with their usual trend of elegant simplicity, Hyundai has designated 5 trim levels for the Palisade:

• Hyundai Palisade SE
• Hyundai Palisade SEL
• Hyundai Palisade XRT
• Hyundai Palisade Limited
• Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

While the Palisade SE is the base trim, it’s still very well-appointed, making it one of the best affordable large SUVs on the market right now. The SE comes standard with durable cloth seating for eight, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, electric sliding second row for ease of access, rear climate zone adjustment, and steering wheel with built-in haptic feedback.

The Palisade XRT is where we start seeing the 7-person seating configuration become standard. Other upgrades include H-Tex trimmed seating, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, heated front seating, LED interior lights, wireless phone charging, and a sunroof.

If you want the absolute best SUV for a 5-person family, you may decide to upgrade to the still-affordable Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy trim. The highest-level Palisade comes with premium Nappa leather upholstery, with quilted leather door panels and a microfiber headliner. The driver’s seat is fully adjustable, and even has massage settings. First and second row seats have both heating and ventilation, and even the third row is heated, which is somewhat rare even in luxury SUVs. It also comes with an upgraded extended sunroof, premium sound system, and larger digital dash display, among many other killer add-ons.

Looking for the best SUV for a family of 4 and a dog, but still want to spring for the upgraded leather interior? Fret not, because Braman Hyundai’s certified parts department can help you find the perfect seat covers and floor mats for any model.

Tech

For the 2023 model year, many critics noted that the Palisade got a stylish new facelift, complete with new wheel options. The exterior isn’t the only part of the top-rated family vehicle that got some new features added, either.

The 12.3-inch infotainment hub now comes standard with a higher resolution for a clearer picture, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot joins the roster of connectivity features, which previously included Sirius XM radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard dash cluster is a 4.2-incher, and the available upgraded version is a fully-digital twin 12.3-inch display, complete with navigation settings. The premium sound system is a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon, complete with surround.

Of course, the most reliable big SUV ought to have plenty of safety features to keep you and your family safe on the road. All Hyundai Palisades, regardless of price, trim, or package, are equipped with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of ADAS features, which includes:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/Car, Pedestrian, & Cyclist Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Safe Exit Assist
• Rear Occupant Alert
• Driver Attention Warning
• Highway Driving Assist
• Smart Cruise control w/Stop and Go

These standard safety features won the 2023 Hyundai Palisade the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for the third year in a row, making the Palisade one of the safest family SUVs being made today. If that’s not enough, optional ADAS features include upgraded Forward Collision Avoidance, upgraded Highway Driving Assist, Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. All of these extra features make for one of the best SUVs for teen drivers and adults alike—perfect for the whole family.

Regarding engine and performance, all Palisades come standard with a 3.8L 6-cylinder motor, with a choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The FWD model returns the best fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 27 miles to the gallon on the highway, making the Palisade one of the best fuel-efficient large SUVs around.

The Palisade: The Best SUV for Big and Tall Drivers

Other winners of the 10 Best Interior & UX award include luxury vehicles like the BMW i7, the Genesis GV60, and the Cadillac Lyriq. Experts agree that the Palisade stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most prestigious brands in the industry. The good news? You don’t have to pay luxury SUV premiums to own one.

Want even better news? The Palisade won tons of other awards recently, including the Best 3-Row SUV for the Money from U.S. News, one of the 12 Best Family Cars from Kelley Blue Book, and 2023 Family Vehicle of the Year from the Midwest Automotive Media Association.

Are you looking for a large vehicle with good gas mileage? Look no farther than the local Hyundai dealership near you! Give us a call at Braman Hyundai—dial (786) 623-4261, and ask us about a Palisade for sale in Miami today!