Test Drive: 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

Magnificence: Midsize Crossover

Colour: Moonlight Cloud

CG File Card
Room and Convenience	A
Energy and Efficiency	B
Have compatibility and End	A
Gasoline Financial system	B-
Price	A
File-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver opinions. All grades are as opposed to different automobiles in the similar magnificence. Price grade is for particular trim point evaluated, and won’t replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of all of the fashion lineup.
Large & Tall Convenience
Large Man	A
Tall Man	A
Large & Tall convenience rankings are for entrance seats most effective. “Large” ranking in response to male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking in response to 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specifications	291-hp 3.8-liter
Engine Sort	V6
Transmission	8-speed automated
Power Wheels	AWD

Miles pushed: 847

Noticed gasoline financial system: 20.6 mpg

Riding combine: 25% town, 75% freeway

EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 19/25/21 (mpg town/freeway/blended)

Gasoline sort: Common fuel

Base fee: $49,200 (no longer together with $1295 vacation spot rate)

Choices on verify car: Particular paint ($400)

Worth as examined: $50,495

 

Fast Hits

The good: Top class cabin appointments, beneficiant passenger house

The nice: A lot of energy, first rate gasoline financial system, long-trip convenience

The no longer so just right: Extra freeway street noise than we’d like

 

Tom Appel:

How emblem aware are you? I ask, as a result of you’ll be able to pay an terrible lot for a badge. I feel the place that is going…

A few years in the past, I were given a choice from a colleague referring to my fairly sure tackle Cadillac’s midsize 3-row XT6 crossover. And, certainly, I discovered the XT6 to be a properly completed and intensely delicate car; a very good multi-passenger freeway long-haul cruiser. After protecting my place at the XT6, I requested what he would counsel as an alternative of the Caddy. “Palisade” he mentioned. “Hmm,” I assumed.

Right here at Shopper Information, we in most cases suggest move buying groceries inside of class. And, the Palisade (Midsize Crossover) and the XT6 (Top class Midsize Crossover) are in several classes. The respect between classes essentially comes all the way down to frame sort and worth vary, and thus the Hyundai and the Caddy play in several strata. However the query raised by means of my colleague is, do they truly?

Just a little of historical past: The Hyundai Palisade and shut cousin Kia Telluride have been offered for the 2020 fashion yr. Each automobiles represented outstanding greenback price, and presented close to full-size SUV room and luxury at a midsize crossover fee. 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 height trim point to the Palisade lineup: Calligraphy.  If you happen to have been just a informal trade observer, it’s possible you’ll suppose that Hyundai used to be overreaching with the Calligraphy, however customers appear inspired. Hyundai experiences that Calligraphy fashions account for kind of 40 p.c of Palisade gross sales. Moreover, all the way through my first verify force of a Palisade Calligraphy, two separate strangers requested me if I used to be using the brand new Vary Rover. In point of fact.

Now, different mainstream manufacturers be offering high-end variations in their midsize crossovers. The Toyota Highlander Platinum and the Ford Explorer King Ranch each play as near-premium automobiles, however the Palisade takes issues a part step additional.

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For 2023, the Palisade lineup ascends via 5 trim ranges: base SE, widespread SEL, new XRT, well-equipped Restricted, and luxury-level Calligraphy. The brand new XRT sports activities an off-road theme, and is the same in thought 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 case you’re no longer enthusiastic about a top rate crossover enjoy, you’ll be able to nonetheless construct a properly geared up Palisade for not up to $40,000.

A few of the many stuff keeping apart the Calligraphy from lesser Palisades are a novel grille, particular external trim, distinctive 20-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather-based seating surfaces, massaging seats, ambient cabin lighting fixtures,  and a in most cases extra upscale inner.

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A 2023 Palisade freshening brings with it blockier external design, a higher-resolution touchscreen, and Wi-Fi hotspot.

All Palisades are powered by means of s stout 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automated transmission. Energy is going to the entrance wheels except AWD is ordered.

Shopper Information frolicked with an AWD Calligraphy. Necessarily a one-price trim point, our verify automotive got here to $52,395, together with the one to be had choice, additional price paint (Moonlight Cloud, $400).

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Inside of, the luxury-alternative factor comes throughout beautiful convincingly. The fluted leather-based door trim, matte-finish aluminum accents, and weathered-look picket inlays no longer most effective appearance high-end, the trendy design looks as if one thing you’d to find in a top-trim-level Audi or Volvo. Colour us inspired. The cabin is useful as effectively. The keep an eye on format is straight forward, and touch-screen operation is simple to be told and easy to regulate. Stressed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are usual, by means of the way in which.

There’s a number of grownup house within the entrance and a couple of^nd rows. The 3rd row, which is fairly simple to achieve, will accommodate a midsize grownup for an affordable period of time, although in follow we’d reserve placement for more youthful and extra nimble passengers. If there’s a unmarried metric through which the Calligraphy fails its luxurious undertaking, it may well be cabin noise. Windrush ranges, although appropriate at this fee level, are excessive for the top rate crossover magnificence. Thankfully, the very good Harmon Kardon sound gadget supplies a number of incentive to show up the tune and squelch the noise.

Shifting alongside, the huge V6 serves up a number of helpful torque at low pace and abundant passing and merging energy. When driven the engine sounds delicate, and is infrequently heard in comfortable cruising.

Our test-drive enjoy come with some critical freeway time. Earlier than hitting the street we have been averaging an affordable 18.9 mpg in most commonly town using. After a snappy run to Des Moines, Iowa from the Chicago space, our moderate gasoline financial system jumped to twenty.6 mpg, no longer unhealthy for the reason that the car used to be effectively loaded with other folks and stuff.

At the freeway, we discovered the headlights aimed too low for simple signal studying at evening. Although the street forward used to be effectively illuminated, speed-limit and different indicators have been situated simply above the sunshine box. This can be an issue simply mounted by means of a easy adjustment.

As for shipment, the Palisade supplies a number of helpful space for storing in again. A fairly low ground is helping when loading and unloading the large stuff.

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CG Says:

Whilst there’s not anything flawed with using a Hyundai, using a Palisade Calligraphy could be very just like using a car $10,000-20,000 costlier. Whilst we wouldn’t fault customers for choosing the extra reasonably priced Restricted trim point, the Calligraphy may constitute the most efficient price choice within the Palisade lineup. If you happen to’re no longer particularly emblem aware, Hyundai has a luxury-crossover deal for you.

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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Gallery

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