2023 Hyundai Palisade review: 

• 2023 Hyundai Palisade: $35,900 – $49,850
• Family Vehicle of the Year – Midwest Automotive Media Association 
• Pros: Attractive interior, spacious, comfortable
• Cons: Could be sportier, thirsty fuel economy, sensitive safety features 
• MotorBiscuit score: 8.5

Don’t let the 2023 Hyundai Palisade get left in the Kia Telluride’s shadow. Even though the three-row SUVs are closely related, the Plasiade deserves its own time in the spotlight because tons of standard features help it shine. 

The 2023 Palisade is a spacious, comfortable place for the entire family to enjoy. The quilted leather upholstery and massive panoramic sunroof provide a relaxing environment with engaging tech. 

Its smooth ride quality impresses us, but large exterior mirrors can create wind noise at higher speeds. The Palisade isn’t the best of gas, but plenty of storage space, passenger comfort, and convenience make up for the difference. 

2023 Palisade: What’s new? 

For 2023, the Hyundai Palisade got a mid-cycle refresh. The front end was revised to include a more upscale and confident grille. Also, the new LED lights help it match the look of other models in the lineup. New wheel designs completed the updated look. 

The interior offers more upholstery options and new tech, such as an enhanced digital gauge cluster and a 12.0-inch infotainment screen with a higher resolution. The wireless phone charging pad is stronger. There’s a wifi hot spot, the driver’s seat is massaging, and the third row has optional heated seats. 

Plus, the rugged Palisade XRT trim debuted with dark 20-inch alloy wheels, a darker grille, black roof rails, darkened lower door trim, unique black faux leather upholstery, two skid plates, and a sunroof. 

Which 2023 Hyundai Palisade trim is best? 

There are five 2023 Hyundai Palisade trims available: 

• Hyundai Palisade SE – $35,900
• Hyundai Plasiade SEL – $37,950
• Hyundai Palisade XRT – $40,250
• Hyundai Palisade Limited – $46,500
• Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy – $49,850

The 2023 Hyundai Plasiade SEL adds many premium features without an aggressive price jump. The long list of standard features includes a larger infotainment screen, built-in navigation, heated front seats, keyless entry/start, and power-adjustable front seats. 

It also has optional second-row captain’s chairs at no extra cost, a hands-free liftgate, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless phone charging pad, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and simulated leather upholstery. 

How does the 2023 Hyundai Palisade drive? 

The 2023 Palisade has a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds, which is average for the class. 

It has a peppy acceleration and quickly gets off the line. Passing others on the highway and merging into traffic is simple. But there are occasional transmission hiccups while downshifting. You can use the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for more precise control. 

The brakes are easy to master, with confident and smooth stops. However, the steering could be a little more direct. The Palisade may feel slightly lumbering around tight curves at higher speeds. 

Overall, it’s well-composed, and body lean is minimal. The 2023 Palisade has a 19.35-foot turning radius, making it agile and convenient in tight city areas. It’s a relaxed and comfortable daily driver 

There are driving modes for Sport, Comfort, Eco, Smart, and Snow. Sport mode has the fastest response times and the stiffest brakes, while Comfort mode noticeably absorbs impacts better. Eco mode slows the acceleration down to help save fuel, and Smart mode combines individual preferences. 

Can the 2023 Hyundai Palisade go off-roading? 

Yes, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade could be more capable than expected. We took it on the same trails as the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Ford Bronco Raptor but didn’t push it as hard. It won’t be keeping up with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon or climbing over rocky inclines. 

The XRT model adds confidence with larger wheels and protective skid plates, but the ground clearance maxes out at 7.9 inches. We would feel more confident with a slight suspension lift. But it has plenty of power to dominate deep mud, snowy, and slick terrain. 

You can use the AWD lock feature with the available HTRAC AWD system to distribute power evenly between the front and rear wheels. This comes in handy when powering through mud and ruts or climbing steep inclines. The 360-degree camera display helps you easily avoid obstacles on narrow trails. 

The Palisade resisted slips and slides in mud, sand, dirt, and gravel. But we maneuvered around some of the larger impacts that other off-roading oriented vehicles could clear at higher speeds. 

Rougher impacts can rattle the interior, but the bumps are quickly settled. Also, the engine starts to whine during steeper climbs. But the Palisade should get you to your campsite without any trouble. 

Does the Hyundai Palisade have a good fuel economy? 

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade could do better on fuel. It gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. Adding AWD can reduce these figures by one or two mpg. 

During our week, we never got above 18 mpg, but to be honest, we could have spent more time in Eco mode than Sport mode. Also, while off-roading, our fuel economy average dropped to 11 mpg. 

Is the 2023 Hyundai Palisade comfortable? 

Yes, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade is extremely comfortable in each row. The front row has massive, well-added seats with tons of adjustment controls. The side bolstering is supportive to hold you in place around curves. Also, the ergonomic design is energizing. 

The seats in the second row are equally as comfortable, with plenty of room to slide forward and back. But they could recline a little more. Also, the third row is a bit smaller, but it’s still well-padded and can recline. 

The automatic climate control system intelligently responds to surrounding temperatures and effectively heats and cools the entire cabin. The heated seats and steering wheel are quite toasty, but the ventilated seats could be stronger. 

Also, the Palisade offers a smooth ride over the pavement. We don’t see this as an SUV that makes kids carsick at all. But at highway speeds, wind noise is more noticeable than expected. Otherwise, the cabin is quite peaceful. 

Is the 2023 Hyundai Palisade interior nice?

Yes, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade interior is attractive and luxurious. It’s one of the areas where the Plasiade truly shines against rivals such as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It’s crafted with plush, durable materials such as premium quilted leather upholstery and aluminum trim. 

There are no plastics to be found around the soft-touched covered materials and leather-wrapped surfaces. The materials provide an upscale feeling that seems resistant to scratches and stains. 

We were worried about the lack of all-weather rubber mats, but the carpeted flooring is mud resistant and easy to clean. The ambient lighting and accent stitching break up large sections of upholstery to attract the eye. 

The panoramic sunroof is massive, allowing people in each row to see the sky. It has the perfect amount of tint to block bright sun rays. Also, the rear sunshades make seeing screens on handheld gaming devices easy. 

The layout is elegant and straightforward, with clearly labeled controls. Everything you need is placed within reach. Frontward visibility is abundant, but the rear window is a little small. Parking sensors and the 360-degree display are helpful. 

Does the Hyundai Palisade have good tech? 

Yes, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade is very innovative, with an attractive 12.3-inch infotainment screen and an advanced digital gauge cluster. The graphics look great, and the system works quickly. 

The controls are intuitive, and it’s easy to adjust your settings. Some people may prefer more physical controls, though. The digital key system for iPhone and Android phone systems allows you to access various controls from your smartphone. 

You can lock, unlock, and start the Plasiade with a smart speaker and Bluetooth connectivity. Also, up to two devices can be connected at once, and up to seven USB ports are available, allowing everyone to keep their devices charged. 

The optional head-up display provides driving information without being distracting, and the built-in navigation system is speedy. The wireless phone charging pad is in an inconvenient location under the center console, but atlas Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. 

There are tons of unique features to enjoy. The sounds of nature connect you to the wild with the sunroof open, the intercom system projects your voice over the rear speakers, and the quiet mode limits speaker volume to 25. 

Plus, the remote parking system allows you to pull in or reverse out of parking spaces remotely. It’s very convenient in crowded parking lots. 

Does the 2023 Hyundai Palisade have enough cargo space? 

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade has an abundance of cargo space. You can access up to 10.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, up to 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and up to 86.4 cubes overall. 

You can access built-in storage bins in the truck for more room, and the center console is very generous. There is an open cubby below the gear shifter, and the second row has its own storage bin. 

The cupholders and door pockets are a bit narrow, and the glove box is a little tight. The power liftgate and power-folding/sliding seats are pretty helpful. The rear hatch opens wide with a low liftover height, and the doors open wide. Installing child seats isn’t a hassle. 

If you need more room, the Hyundai Palisade can tow up to 5,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,570 lbs. Standard Trailer Sway Control and Tow mod make the job easier. 

How safe is the 2023 Hyundai Palisade? 

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2023 Hyundai Palisade is a Top Safety Pick+. It earned a ‘Good’ rating in most of the simulated crash tests, which is excellent. But it did get two ‘Poor’ and ‘Acceptable” results during an updated front overlap test. 

Its safety features got a ‘Superior’ score for avoiding collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. It avoided collisions at 12, 25, and 35 mph speeds.

The child seat anchors got an ‘Acceptable’ rating because the anchors are considered to be too deep in the seat. 

Standard safety features include: 

• Forward collision mitigation 
• Lane-keeping assist 
• Rear parking sensors 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Rear cross-traffic alert 

The safety features are effective but can seem a bit sensitive. There are plenty of loud beeps from the rear parking sensors and lane-keeping assist system that can be jarring. But the settings are easy to adjust. 

How reliable is the 2023 Hyundai Palisade? 

According to J.D.Power, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade has an above-average reliability ranking. It got an 84 out of 100, which is great. Any scores between 91 and 100 are best, and scores between 70 and 80 are average. 

The average Hyundai Palisade model is expected to last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. However, it could make it to 300,000 miles with proper care and regular maintenance. The Palisade can provide 13 to 15 years of service on the road if you drive about 15,000 miles annually. 

It costs about $427 to maintain the Hyundai Palisade annually. This is lower than the average annual yearly maintenance cost of about $650 for other SUVs. 

MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Hyundai Plasiade a score of 8.5 out of 10 

The experts at MotorBiscuit have provided the 2023 Hyundai Palisade with a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The Palisade is a bargain with a long list of standard features and near-luxury comfort. There is plenty of passenger space and comfort in each row for the whole family to enjoy. 

It has a unique interior that stands out against the crowd with an abundance of cargo space. The tech is innovative, but some folks may prefer more physical controls. Also, settings are easy to adjust quickly. 

The Palisade could be sportier, but it’s fast and comfortable. The XRT trim spices things up with a little extra capability, but we wouldn’t mind a more rugged trim level. Also, the fuel economy is slightly disappointing. 

We enjoyed our week with the top-spec Calligraphy trim, but we would like to take the XRT for a spin through the woods to see how upgrades make a difference in the wild.