2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Class: Midsize Crossover
Shade: Moonlight Cloud
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Energy and PerformanceB
Match and FinishA
Gas EconomyB-
ValueA
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup.
Huge & Tall Consolation
Huge GuyA
Tall GuyA
Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs291-hp 3.8-liter
Engine TypeV6
Transmission 8-speed computerized
Drive WheelsAWD
Miles pushed: 847
Noticed gas financial system: 20.6 mpg
Driving combine: 25% metropolis, 75% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 19/25/21 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas sort: Common fuel
Base value: $49,200 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Particular paint ($400)
Worth as examined: $50,495
Fast Hits
The good: Premium cabin appointments, beneficiant passenger area
The great: Loads of energy, first rate gas financial system, long-trip consolation
The not so good: Extra freeway street noise than we’d like
Tom Appel:
How model acutely aware are you? I ask, as a result of you possibly can pay an terrible lot for a badge. I feel the place that is going…
A few years in the past, I acquired a name from a colleague concerning my comparatively constructive tackle Cadillac’s midsize 3-row XT6 crossover. And, certainly, I discovered the XT6 to be a properly completed and intensely refined car; a superb multi-passenger freeway long-haul cruiser. After defending my place on the XT6, I requested what he would counsel as an alternative of the Caddy. “Palisade” he mentioned. “Hmm,” I assumed.
Right here at Client Information, we typically suggest cross buying inside class. And, the Palisade (Midsize Crossover) and the XT6 (Premium Midsize Crossover) are in several classes. The excellence between classes primarily comes right down to physique sort and value vary, and thus the Hyundai and the Caddy play in several strata. However the query raised by my colleague is, do they actually?
A little bit of historical past: The Hyundai Palisade and shut cousin Kia Telluride have been launched for the 2020 mannequin yr. Each autos represented distinctive greenback worth, and supplied close to full-size SUV room and luxury at a midsize crossover value. And, even the mid-level trims have been very properly geared up and completed.
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For 2021, Hyundai added a brand new high trim degree to the Palisade lineup: Calligraphy. In the event you have been solely an off-the-cuff trade observer, you may assume that Hyundai was overreaching with the Calligraphy, however customers appear impressed. Hyundai stories that Calligraphy fashions account for roughly 40 % of Palisade gross sales. Moreover, throughout my first check drive of a Palisade Calligraphy, two separate strangers requested me if I used to be driving the brand new Vary Rover. Actually.
Now, different mainstream manufacturers supply high-end variations of their midsize crossovers. The Toyota Highlander Platinum and the Ford Explorer King Ranch each play as near-premium autos, however the Palisade takes issues a half step additional.
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For 2023, the Palisade lineup ascends by means of 5 trim ranges: base SE, common SEL, new XRT, well-equipped Restricted, and luxury-level Calligraphy. The brand new XRT sports activities an off-road theme, and is analogous in idea to the brand new Ford Explorer Timberline. All Palisades include 3-row seating. Base costs for the Palisade lineup vary from about $35,000 to $50,000. So, in the event you’re not enthusiastic about a premium crossover expertise, you possibly can nonetheless construct a properly geared up Palisade for lower than $40,000.
Among the many many issues separating the Calligraphy from lesser Palisades are a novel grille, particular exterior trim, distinctive 20-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather-based seating surfaces, massaging seats, ambient cabin lighting, and a typically extra upscale inside.
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A 2023 Palisade freshening brings with it blockier exterior design, a higher-resolution touchscreen, and Wi-Fi hotspot.
All Palisades are powered by s stout 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed computerized transmission. Energy goes to the entrance wheels until AWD is ordered.
Client Information frolicked with an AWD Calligraphy. Primarily a one-price trim degree, our check automobile got here to $52,395, together with the one accessible choice, further price paint (Moonlight Cloud, $400).
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Inside, the luxury-alternative factor comes throughout fairly convincingly. The fluted leather-based door trim, matte-finish aluminum accents, and weathered-look wooden inlays not solely look high-end, the trendy design appears like one thing you’d discover in a top-trim-level Audi or Volvo. Shade us impressed. The cabin is purposeful as properly. The management format is uncomplicated, and touch-screen operation is straightforward to be taught and easy to handle. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal, by the way in which.
There’s loads of grownup area within the entrance and 2nd rows. The third row, which is comparatively simple to achieve, will accommodate a midsize grownup for an inexpensive period of time, although in apply we’d reserve placement for youthful and extra nimble passengers. If there’s a single metric by which the Calligraphy fails its luxurious mission, it is likely to be cabin noise. Windrush ranges, although acceptable at this value level, are excessive for the premium crossover class. Happily, the superb Harmon Kardon sound system gives loads of incentive to show up the music and squelch the noise.
Transferring alongside, the massive V6 serves up loads of helpful torque at low velocity and ample passing and merging energy. When pushed the engine sounds refined, and is hardly heard in relaxed cruising.
Our test-drive expertise embrace some severe freeway time. Earlier than hitting the street we have been averaging an inexpensive 18.9 mpg in largely metropolis driving. After a fast run to Des Moines, Iowa from the Chicago space, our common gas financial system jumped to twenty.6 mpg, not dangerous on condition that the car was properly loaded with individuals and stuff.
On the freeway, we discovered the headlights aimed too low for straightforward signal studying at evening. Although the street forward was properly illuminated, speed-limit and different indicators have been situated simply above the sunshine discipline. This can be an issue simply fastened by a easy adjustment.
As for cargo, the Palisade gives loads of helpful cupboard space in again. A comparatively low flooring helps when loading and unloading the massive stuff.
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CG Says:
Whereas there’s nothing mistaken with driving a Hyundai, driving a Palisade Calligraphy may be very very similar to driving a car $10,000-20,000 costlier. Whereas we wouldn’t fault customers for choosing the extra inexpensive Restricted trim degree, the Calligraphy may symbolize the perfect worth choice within the Palisade lineup. In the event you’re not particularly model acutely aware, Hyundai has a luxury-crossover deal for you.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Gallery
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