2 Areas of the Hyundai Palisade That Owners Would Like to See Improved
The Hyundai Palisade ranks the highest in its segment in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. Despite this three-row midsize SUV’s popularity, Palisade owners want to see two areas improved: fuel economy and the infotainment system. Here’s a closer look.
Hyundai Palisade owners want better fuel economy
Electric vehicles are more popular than ever, and it’s not uncommon for other vehicles to achieve more than 50 mpg. Pair that with rising gas prices, and fuel economy is the No. 1 area where Palisade owners want improvement.
The fuel economy of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade ranks the lowest in the J.D. Power APEAL Study. With 19 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, the Palisade’s gas mileage is average for upper midsize SUVs.
Fuel economy is one of the least favorite things about most upper midsize SUVs, as other APEAL survey responses note. Take, for instance, owner reviews for the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride (the Palisade’s corporate cousin). Both are top-rated upper midsize SUVs, but their fuel economy does not impress their drivers.
As more electric and hybrid SUVs take to the roads, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that vehicles’ mediocre fuel economy would stick out among owners’ least favorite aspects of the car.
Additionally, as lower-priced EV options come to market, fuel economy becomes more of an area of potential improvement for automakers. For example, the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at $41,450, just over $5,000 more than the Palisade.
Drivers also think the Palisade’s infotainment system needs improvement
The infotainment system is the next least favorable element that Palisade owners cited in their J.D. Power surveys. Some thought it was too simplistic, although a basic system is typically easier to use.
Clearly labeled icons grace the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It displays the usual information, like the time, date, and navigation. Still, it might look unimpressive compared with larger, more grandiose displays popularized by automakers like Tesla.
As for competition from other upper midsize SUVs, the award-winning Kia Telluride offers phone app integration, and the Hyundai Santa Fe has a larger, more modern-looking infotainment display.
2 high points of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade
Despite Palisade owners’ critiques about fuel economy and infotainment, this SUV’s value and appeal should not be overlooked. Indeed, the Palisade dazzles with its exterior styling and driving feel. Those two categories ranked the highest in the J.D. Power APEAL Study.
One of the more affordable upper midsize SUVs, the Hyundai Palisade looks like it costs more than its $36,000 MSRP. Sleek, curving lines follow the windows, and arching red taillights blend gracefully with the vehicle’s rear. In addition, Palisade’s grille and headlight combination makes this crossover look like it could compete with luxury SUVs.
Owners also said they like the Palisade’s driving feel. With a 3.8-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2023 standard model produces 291 hp and 262 pound-feet of torque. The Palisade also handles curves well and is a joy to drive on back-road adventures. It’s solid, comfortable, and quiet in most settings.
Plus, a slew of sensors surrounding the SUV make parking a breeze. Hyundai equips the Palisade with rear cameras so drivers don’t feel like they’re parking an upper midsize SUV when maneuvering into tight parking spots.
