2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Provides Low-Key Luxury and Family Hauling Versatility

Look past its aggressive face and you’ll find the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy’s easy manner makes for one relaxing ride.

Sometimes, car names don’t fit their intended purpose, yet other times, they do.

Consider the 2024 Hyundai Palisade. A palisade is “a fence of stakes especially for defense,” according to Merriam-Webster. And given the 2024 Hyundai Palisade’s appropriateness as a mobile family servant, it’s hard to argue with its appellation. That said, there are any number of credible three-row competitors, including the Toyota Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-90, Volkswagen Atlas, and, perhaps the most vexing of all, the Kia Telluride the Hyundai Palisade’s corporate cousin.

Share and share alike

But in this case, the Kia gets all of the attention as it’s prettier, much like the sibling that gets all of the attention. Its good looks helped it outsell its corporate cousin by 19.1% in 2023, according to Automotive News. In fact, the Telluride sells so quickly, it’s internally nicknamed the “Selluride.” Yet there’s plenty of challenging design in the three-row SUV class, and the Palisade’s revised grille design, sizable door handles, 20-inch wheels, and LED lighting exudes a rugged masculinity some might find more appealing.

 Both the Kia and Hyundai share their powertrain: a naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter DOHC V6 rated at 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. There are the expected driving modes, of course, along with the ability to tow as much as 5,000 pounds, while hauling a 1,365-pound payload, including 220 pounds on the roof rack.

Inside, you’ll find anywhere from 18 cubic feet to as much as 86.4 cubic feet of schlepping space, depending on the size of your brood. And at 197 inches long, and nearly 78 inches wide, it’s at the larger end of the midsize segment.

Positively luxe baby

But it provides the requisite stretch out space every family requires. There are three rows, with the choice of 7- or 8-passenger seating depending on whether your model has second-row Captain’s Chairs. We tested a Calligraphy all-wheel-drive, a top-of-the-line model that starts at $52,350. Most Palisades aren’t as dear, starting at $36,650 for the base SE front-wheel drive model.

What proved so surprising is the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD does an impressive impersonation of a premium vehicle, rather than a conventional rug rat wagon.

It’s loaded with gear, the sort of stuff that will truly spoil your inner brat. Yes, we admit we were blown away by the interior aesthetics, which seem even more refined than its exterior wardrobe. There’s quilted Nappa leather seating finished with piping – heated and ventilated of course. There’s whitewashed wood trim that proves a welcome relief from the hackneyed piano black plastic or faux carbon fiber trim typically employed by less imaginative automotive design departments. Yes, there’s multi-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, ventilated seats, a head-up display, dual sunroofs, heated steering wheel, Wi-Fi hotspot, digital key, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, USB-C ports and power outlets in all rows.

And there’s a ton of standard driver assistance safety systems, including Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist, vehicle stability management and Trailer Sway Control.

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Hit the road

This hefty feature load plays in well with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD’s easy-going demeanor.

There are more dynamic vehicles in this class, but that’s not what a great family hauler requires. Yes, it has the requisite grip, despite body lean that’s fairly well-managed when cornering. And dialing up sport mode tightens the driver’s seat bolsters, sharpens the already-precise steering, and enlivens the powertrain responsiveness. But while you might find that occasionally useful, it’s not really needed.

With a rather large V6 up front, there’s plenty of relaxed power to move this kid sled with gusto when needed, yet with a certain degree of poise that will put you at ease. And it’s quiet most of the time, children notwithstanding. It does get a bit noisier at highway speed, betraying its true mainstream roots.

Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models return 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is a bit thirsty. Thankfully, the Palisade runs on regular unleaded.

But with its spacious cabin, easy driving manners, and a plethora of convenience features, the Palisade proves to be a rolling bin of practical indulgence.