It seems that the craze for SUVs is here to stay, and automakers continue to respond, adding even more off-road models to their lineups. To give you some perspective, there are more than 160 crossover/SUV-style vehicles on the market today, and throughout 2022, we saw several new or refreshed models break cover. Early in the year, we saw heavyweights like the long-awaited third-generation Toyota Sequoia finally coming to fruition. Some other noteworthy models include the all-new Honda CR-V and the recently unveiled 2023 Honda Pilot.
But by far, the SUV that caused the most buzz this year, hands down, was the refreshed 2023 Hyundai Palisade. First introduced in 2020, the Palisade is Hyundai’s biggest vehicle, and it really shook things up in the mid-size three-row SUV segment. Ever since shots of the facelifted Hyundai SUV were teased and then leaked just a few hours before its New York Auto Show debut back in April, the Palisade has been winning over the hearts of not just pedantic automotive journalists; ourselves included; but also large family SUV buyers, which have always been Hyundai’s primary target audience with this family hauler.
2022 Hyundai Palisade: The Winning Formula Is Still Present
The core element of the Hyundai brand from the onset was to offer a budget-friendly, well-made, reliable, and feature-packed product, ultimately making for an incredible value proposition. Now, these are aspects that even the outgoing Palisade had in spades, but the new one takes it up a notch to the extent that we think Hyundai’s flagship model can even easily attract luxury car buyers. But beyond the flashy exterior, there’s so much more to this latest Palisade. Available across five trims, the feature-packed three-row Palisade is available in seven or eight-seat configurations (Offered on SE, SEL), front or all-wheel drive, and all this with a starting MSRP of $35,000.
The Hyundai Palisade Is All About The Bling
Alright, so let’s cut to the chase. A major selling point for a model across any segment is an attractive design, and these days, buyers want that butch and blocky look. The new Palisade certainly delivers on that front. The outgoing model wasn’t really that bad to look at, but the new one, despite being just a mid-cycle refresh, has upped the ante in a big way. The grille, in particular, which in our opinion, was a low point with the cascading-style arrangement on the last model, now takes a big jump, both in terms of size and appeal. It appears that Hyundai took out a note from its luxury brand Genesis to accomplish this, as the automotive design at Korean brands has evolved considerably over the past decade.
The rest of the sheet metal remains more or less the same. Now, this wouldn’t be a facelift if it wasn’t for new colors, new rim designs, and new all-LED lighting, which is the norm these days. For the more adventurous folks out there, you’ve got the slightly-rugged XRT trim that gets you blacked-out 20-inch rims, body cladding, and roof rails. However, it's the top-spec Calligraphy model with its multi-spoke rims, body-colored bumpers, and the satin chrome finished grille that really looks the business. But regardless of the trim you choose, we have to admit that with the tweaks and improvements to the overall styling, the Palisade packs even more curb appeal, making it more desirable than ever.
A Comprehensive Interior & Safety Package
If you were impressed by the Palisade’s handsome looks, it’s really the interior, particularly in higher trims, where Hyundai has knocked it out of the park. Be it design, comfort, space, or technology, features which is a Hyundai hallmark, the Palisade doesn’t disappoint. Right from the base model SE trim, you get stuff like the 12.3-inch touchscreen, support for Apple CarPlay And Android Auto, rear seat quiet mode, dynamic voice recognition, and proximity key with push button start. But it’s really the SEL with the Premium Package where you really get a lot of bang for the buck.
On higher trims, like the top-spec Calligraphy, the Korean automaker has thrown in the kitchen sink, with some of the kit and gizmos generally available on models costing twice as much. Think of stuff like an active seat bolster with a massage function for the driver seat, captain seats, acoustic glass, a twin sunroof, and a microfiber headliner. The first and second rows are heated and ventilated, but when was the last time you heard of heated seats in the third row? Oof course, they’re well-appointed in leather upholstery. Well, that is a class-exclusive feature that the Palisade offers. The 64-color ambient lighting system, the open pore wood finishes on the doors and the dash, and the metal speaker grille covers for the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system all help to elevate the ambiance of this cabin, taking it from premium economy all the way over to business class. This cabin certainly exudes a sense of luxury, and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t smitten by this interior.
Top Class Safety And Convenience
As for safety, an exhaustive list of active and passive safety features with everything from blind spot assist to nav-based cruise control come as standard right from the base trim. We’re particularly big fans of Hyundai’s blindspot camera, which projects the view in the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Higher trims also come with convenience and driver assist features like a heads-up display, a digital key, a rear-view camera mirror, a wireless phone charger, powered second and third-row seats, a powered tailgate, and a remote park assist.
The Short Comings
If there’s one weak link with most Hyundai products, it's the lackluster experience from behind the wheel. The 2022 Hyundai Palisade retains the old Atkinson cycle, 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262-pound-feet of torque on tap. It's not particularly noteworthy, but it is on par with the competition. All trims, but the range-topping Calligraphy, come with front-wheel drive as standard. All-wheel drive is available at an added cost of $1,900.
In our review of the 2023 Palisade Calligraphy, my colleague Steve Hammes noted that the powertrain lacked the oomph and finesse of what a true luxury vehicle offers. The eight-speed automatic transmission depending on the selected drive mode can stutter a bit, and the ride-quality can be brittle on the rough stuff. If you're indeed looking for something a bit edgier at a similar price point, you've also got the option of the Palisade's corporate cousin, the Kia Telluride.
But let’s face it, for the most part, you’ll find most Palisades on the school run rather than on an off-road trail. As for hauling capability, the Palisade offers a max-tow rating of 5,000 pounds, and trailer sway control and self-leveling rear suspension are standard. At 19 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG combined, gas mileage isn’t necessarily spectacular, and this is where a plug-in hybrid option could really come in handy, which rival models like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander offer. And finally, Steve also notes that the Palisade, like countless Kia/Hyundai models, lacks wireless phone projection.
You Really Can’t Get More SUV For The Money
So to summarize, Hyundai has done it again. It has almost created the perfect SUV in my book. Feature-packed, good-looking, practical and versatile, and a decent drive. Despite its shortcomings, which are few and far between, to be really honest, you can rest assured that the Palisade does feel considerably more expensive than it actually is. How exactly does Hyundai offer so much for so much less? Well that is something that continues to baffle me. You also can't forget Hyundai's industry leading warranties.
But the headline figure here is the $35,250 MSRP for the base SE trim, but even with all the bells and whistles for the top-of-the-line Calligraphy model, you’re still not looking at anything beyond $52,000, which is nothing short of an astonishing value and why the 2023 Hyundai Palisade takes the crown for the TopSpeed 2022 SUV Of The Year.
For more, check out Our Detailed Buyers Guide On The 2023 Hyundai Palisade.
Runner Up: Toyota Sequoia
The long-awaited third-generation Toyota Sequoia deserves an honorary mention here. Nearly 15 years since it was last redesigned, this new model was built on the new TNGA platform shared with the Tundra pickup, representing a giant leap forward for Toyota's full-size SUV. Its big draw is obviously the bold new styling, near-Lexus levels of creature comforts in the cabin, and heavily upgraded tech package, which includes that giant 14-inch center screen. Also new is the V-6 iForce MAX hybrid, which definitely offers better fuel economy compared to the outgoing model's V-8.
While people have been raving about the new Sequoia, if you're willing to look past the hype, there are some serious omissions, and this is especially true for higher trims. You can read more about this in our review of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone. When the Sequoia debuted back in January, there was no Land Cruiser in sight, hence the consensus that had some big shoes to fill. However, that might change soon as the LC300 may finally be coming Stateside, and when that happens, it will no longer be Toyota's flagship SUV.