The Hyundai Palisade Is a Modern Classic

A dark blue 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is shown driving on a city street.

It's an exciting time to be a fan of Hyundai, especially if you are getting ready to search "car dealer near me" to find a new ride. In a fleet of cars that are always improving, the latest Palisade is a feat of innovation, sophistication, and fun. If you haven't heard of the Palisade yet, you're in good company. It's one of the newest members of the Hyundai family, a large-and-in-charge eight-passenger midsize SUV built suited to the needs of today's modern family. It's three rows of stylish seating, a speedy and efficient engine, and a multitude of ways to transport virtually any cargo. When exploring our Hyundai inventory, there may be an almost gravitational pull towards the big, shiny Palisade. Let's take a beat to study the highlights of the Hyundai Palisade and see what makes this SUV so special.

Strength in Size

Arguably one of the most noteworthy aspects of the Palisade is its large size. As a replacement for the Santa Fe XL, Hyundai set out to build a big passenger SUV that can be arranged and rearranged to maximize space for people and cargo. As a midsize SUV with three rows of seating, the Palisade comfortably fits up to eight passengers. When all three rows are in use, the trunk space can fit over 500 litres of cargo and comes with a bonus storage compartment under the floor. That means transporting the whole family to sporting events while easily lugging around equipment. The third row easily folds down, increasing the storage compartment to 1,297 litres of room for anything from camping gear to furniture. The storage possibilities are seemingly endless. The third option is to fold down the third row and the second row of seating. With both rows down, the open cargo space allows up to 2,447 litres, allowing drivers to transport just about anything.

The seating arrangement, whichever variation you choose, is comfortable and user-friendly. The second row features a one-touch button to move the seat up, allowing easier access to the third row. Most of us know the pain of manually adjustable seating folding directly onto our heads, so it's nice that Hyundai automated moving the seat for our protection. For the 2022 Ultimate trim, seats come wrapped in Nappa leather and are heated and ventilated. As a touch of extra luxury, the heated and ventilated seating is in both the first and second rows so kids can feel as pampered as their parents. Hyundai didn't entirely skimp on the third row of seating. While the third row doesn't get its own climate controls, it's spacious enough to give adults plenty of leg room to sit comfortably and not feel cramped like a seat on a bad airline. Plus, the Palisade was designed with smaller cabin storage in mind, like a large compartment in the center console, a shelf between the front footwells that can hold a purse or bag, and cup holders in every row.

A close up shows the passenger side taillight on a dark blue 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy.

Reliable Performance

We're grateful Hyundai put a lot of thought and care into the cabin of the Palisade. However, it's the innovation under the hood that gets us excited. The ride is smooth thanks to Hyundai's ultra-rigid chassis that swallows up bumps on the road and protects the passengers with its state-of-the-art SUPERSTRUCTURE technology. The chassis is constructed from custom-designed Advanced High-Strength Steel that's stronger, stiffer and weighs less than conventional steel. This custom steel is beneficial in that it adds to the overall safety of the vehicle and contributes to ride comfort and fuel efficiency. Despite a stocky chassis, the Palisade has a tight turning radius thanks to light steering.

Driving the Palisade feels fun and effortless. The eight-speed automatic transmission doesn't stick, instead offering steady and smooth acceleration. The engine is a 3.8L V6 producing 291 hp, competently moving a vehicle of its size without sacrificing fuel economy. The Palisade is available as either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and features a selection of off-road settings for the adventurous driver. Drive in Sport mode to boost acceleration, Eco mode to cut back on fuel, or Smart mode, which defaults Palisade to the best setting depending on how hard you're accelerating or braking. There are also various modes depending on road conditions. Choose from a selection of modes, including Snow, Mud, and Sand.

For 291 hp and three rows of seating, the fuel efficiency is more than fair. During a study of the Palisade, Natural Resources Canada found that it has an estimated 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.6 L/100 km on the highway, for a combined 11.1 L/100 km fuel economy. Its efficiency makes it a very competitive option for its class, with better fuel economy than some other popular midsize SUVs.

Safety and Entertainment

When buying a vehicle with three rows of seating, the expectation is that customers will be driving loved ones around on a regular basis. Palisade drivers can rest assured that the vehicle is jam-packed with safety technology. The SUPERSTRUCTURE chassis is designed to absorb energy during an accident and redirect it away from passengers in the cabin. No matter the trim, every 2022 model of this Hyundai SUV comes with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go capability. Also available are Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warnings, and a Surround View Monitor that provides a 360-degree view of what's around the vehicle for perfect parking every time.

Hyundai outfitted the Palisade with some fun and innovative technology to keep you and your passengers entertained during any trip. The infotainment system is effortless, combining intuitively spaced buttons with touchscreen features. The infotainment center is exaggerated with a large 26 cm touchscreen system and in-dash navigation. There are USB charging ports in every row for access to even more devices. The quick-response touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is delivered through 12 Harman/Kardon high-quality speakers.

The dashboard features a strip of leather to match the seats and the leather trimming on the doors. Plus, we appreciate the logical layout of the dash, designed to help the driver pay attention to what really matters. For the Palisade's price range, we're impressed with the standard extras Hyundai included.

A dark blue 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is shown from the side in front of a cake shop after leaving a car dealer near you.

See for Yourself

With the midsize SUV market flooded with options, it can be tough to find the right mix of style, comfort, and quality at a great price. Thanks to Hyundai's innovations in safety and technology, the Palisade will surely carve the path that other automakers will have to follow. Hyundai's vehicles are well-built and always affordable, maintaining their value and earning loyalty from their drivers. Although the Palisade is fairly new to the lineup, it has the potential to be around for years. For a family that needs plenty of room, the three rows of seating and various cargo configurations mean that the Palisade can grow with your family. The strong and durable materials in the cabin will look and feel great, making a road trip in your Palisade easy and comfortable. Everything about the Palisade seems intuitive and effortless, a winner in so many categories for Hyundai. Contact us at River City Hyundai to take one of these great SUVs for a spin today.