Here it is folks, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade finally breaks cover at the New York International Auto Show and for a mid-cycle refresh, I have to say that Hyundai has gone the extra mile and may have even outdone themselves, with their flagship mid-size SUV. Main highlights include a new front facia, even more, bang up-to-date tech on the inside, and the addition of a new off-road centric XRT trim. Let's see what the new Palisade is all about.

Overview

Hyundai has been on a roll for the past few years and this is due in part to its burgeoning product lineup, be it with its high-performance models like the N-Line Elantra or futuristic all-electric models like the Ioniq 5. However, the bread and butter for the Korean brand are SUVs.

Of the 738,000 models that Hyundai shifted in the United States last year, 65-percent of sales came from SUVs and one of their most popular models was the Palisade. Hyundai's flagship three-row mid-sizer was popular mainly for its value proposition and as a result, Hyundai had to tread carefully with this already successful recipe.

Exterior

The most obvious change on the new Palisade, if you haven't already seen the teaser, spyshots or the leak is to that all-new front end. Gone is the cascading waterfall grille, that never really fit the handsome Palisade, and incomes a bolder, more in your face that does. This squared-off parametric grille is miles better than the one on the outgoing model.}

The extra bling sure does elevate its appeal and the SUV now looks far more premium now. Also new is the layout for the lighting elements. The vertical daytime running lights now run on the other flanks as opposed to the inside on the outgoing model. The turn signals that sit just below the hood line, nicely blend the grille into the DRLs. The main headlights themselves are lower down in the bumper.

The rear too has a few minor tweaks to the taillights, and the rest of the body remains more or less the same, aside from a new 20-inch alloy wheel design. As blocky and bulbous as the new Palisade looks, which in my opinion is a good thing, Hyundai has done a few things to make it more aerodynamic.

For instance, the angle of the A-Pillar has been adjusted to channel air better, you've got a new rear spoiler, wheel deflectors, and revised underbody panels to make the Palisade that bit more efficient.

2023 Palisade exterior colors continue to include:

- Abyss Black

- Hyper White

- Steel Graphite

- Sierra Burgundy

- Typhoon Silver

- Moonlight Cloud

- Robust Emerald (New for 2023)

Interior

One of the biggest selling points of the Palisade was its premium interior and Hyundai has raised the bar even higher with this update. I also like the new steering wheel and the way that the AC vents have been seamlessly integrated into the silver trim on the dash. While much of the interior has been carried over, the Korean automaker has thrown in even more features and tech, all in a bid to leave the competition (Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder) in its wake.

The convenience features include new front row Ergo seats, that as the name implies have been designed to maximize comfort and reduce fatigue. I mean, this is after all a family car and road trips are a given with such a vehicle.

But comfort isn't limited to just the front chairs because even you get stuff like optional heated seats even in the third row that also have a recline function. Access to that third row depending on how you configure your Palisade is just as easy, thanks to the one-touch second row.

You can choose from the following trims

- Cloth

- Leatherette

- Leather

- Premium Nappa leather

Now, let's get to the tech and there's a lot going on here. You've got a new instrument binnacle with an all-digital display, that extends out to include the 12-inch 720p infotainment screen as well. You also have the option of a digital rearview mirror that can be toggled between a mirror and a rearview camera.

Ambient lighting, digital keys, 5-15 watt wireless smartphone charging, enough USB ports to keep everyone happy in all three rows, ambient lighting, and last but not the least, the seat occupant indicator, which was such a staple on the last model.

For the first time, Hyundai has also included a Wi-Fi Hotspot feature and connected Bluelink services for stuff like last-mile NAV, which can all be managed from your smartphone.

Powertrain

As we anticipated earlier, the same trusty 3.8-liter V-6 with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque will continue to do duty under the hood of the 2023 Palisade. Power is sent to the ground via an 8-Speed auto to either the front wheels or Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system, now with a new TOW mode.

Safety And Driver-Assistance Features

Safety and driver assistance features continue to remain a priority for Hyundai. They are as follows

- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

- Lane Keeping Assist

- Lane Following Assist

- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

- Safe Exit Assist

- Driver Attention Warning

- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control

- Highway Driving Assist

- Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist

- Remote Smart Parking Assist

- Standard rear side-impact airbags

2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT

To stay congruent with other SUV models in Hyundai's portfolio, a new XRT trim joins the Palisade's lineup. This off-road-centric model has a more rugged vibe.

The XRT Palisade has the following kit that helps distinguish it from the rest of the Palisade range:

- Dark-finish front grille

- Rugged-look front and rear fascia with skid plate design elements

- Rugged-look lower door trim

- Dark-finish, rugged-themed 20-inch alloy wheels

- Black roof rails

- Power sunroof (conventional type)

-Black leatherette seating surfaces

Pricing and Availability

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade will go on sale this summer. The prices are as follows:

2023 Hyundai Paliade Prices

Conclusion

So, how do I sum up the New Palisade? Well, all I can say is that with the added kit be it with all the new tech onboard or the vast array of safety features and the refreshed styling, the Palisade has built on its strengths of what made it successful in the first place. If anything, expect to see even stronger demand for the new model and you'll soon find this in your neighborhood suburbs on the mundane school run.