2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

Hyundai’s new Palisade is available in either 7- or 8-passenger configuration. The 3rd-row ensures everyone in your party has a spot to enjoy some luxurious space.

Plenty of room for not only folks but also for what they need to carry aboard. With up to 86.4 cubic feet of cargo space and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, Palisade is perfect for short trips or long journeys alike.

The easy access to the third-row seat offered by one-touch sliding 2nd-row seats together with 3rd-row power folding/unfolding/reclining encourage passengers to quickly settle in for some backseat comfort.

Hands-free smart liftgate, wireless device changing, and seven USB changing ports are complemented by Hyundai’s SmartSense safety technology ensemble; more about this later.

I liked the high seating positions in the cabin, giving the driver a commanding view of the cabin and an excellent outward view.

All the information needed is presented within one continuous panel. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel flows to the right into the 10.25-inch high-resolution touchscreen with navigation system, constantly providing the driver with a span of the vehicle’s current status.

The new infotainment center was laid out so it was easily read. Heads-Up Display (HUD) also projects concise key driving data on the windshield to keep the driver’s eyes on the road ahead.

However, the fuel gauge and engine temperature gauge were contained in a small circular compartment about the size of a quarter located precisely behind the steering wheel, obscuring this data.

I loved the expansive dual sunroof that bathes the interior with warm natural sunlight.

Ventilated front seats and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs helped to extend the special treatment, including the distinctive pattern on the door panels.

The Harman Kardon premium audio system pipes sound through 12 speakers, making the music soothingly comfortable while delivering a powerful, sparkling audio presentation. And thanks to Clari-Fi music restorative technology, information lost in digitally compressed sources is magically restored.

Palisade is comfortable, versatile and well-connected inside with the likes of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It almost feels like you are still at home.

We drove the Palisade for a week on a visit to Galveston. The trip down was uneventful except for the wind. Although the wind was strong, often gusting to near 50 mph, the Palisade stayed the course as we arrived safely.

A strong gulf breeze sprayed beads of salty raindrops over the car as we motored along the seawall, yet the cabin remained remarkably fresh thanks to the Clean Air Ionizer.

Dedicated climate control vents and roof vents diffused quiet streams of evenly distributed air flow to front and rear passengers.

The Palisade is powered by a 3.8-liter GDI V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine is married to an 8-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. We averaged 27 mpg over combined city and highway driving. Even though this SUV is 196.2 inches in length and 77.8 inches in overall width, it was quick and easily parked.

Palisade has more space than you can imagine. The front doors have cup holders that hold medium size sodas and water bottles with ease. The rear doors have two cup holders and two smaller storage areas. Then there is even more storage space in the front center console.

Hyundai SmartSense brings an array of standard safety technology, like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Parking Distance Warning – Reverse, and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. The Calligraphy model comes with some nice additions, including Parking Distance Warning – Forward, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, and Highway Driving Assist.

NHTSA government 5-Star Safety Ratings awarded a perfect score for Overall Safety Rating, Frontal Crash categories, and Side Crash categories. The Rollover Star Rating is the only one which the Palisade earned a 4-star score.

The list price for the 2022 Hyundai Palisade starts at $33,150 for the SE trim, and goes up to $46,690 for the Calligraphy model.

Galveston is a beautiful city dressed nicely for Christmas, and its popular winter festival, Dickens on the Strand, had just concluded. Scores of trendy restaurants and long-established seafood eateries like Fisherman’s Wharf, Black Pearl Oyster Bar, and Willy G’s offer close ocean views and wonderful seafood, which alone are worth the trip.

We rode the Polar Express train filled with children to the North Pole and had a visit from Santa. However, Santa was kind of a grouch. He kept complaining about how heavy I was. Naturally, I was just sitting on one knee.

America’s Best Warranty
5 years/60,000 miles New Vehicle Limited Warranty
10 years/100,000 miles Powertrain Limited Warranty
7 years/unlimited miles Anti-perforation Warranty
5 years unlimited miles 24/7 Roadside Assistance

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or [email protected].