The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is one of the latest vehicles to earn a Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award. We already know the Palisade provides an excellent ride and a hearty engine. And the award proves this midsize SUV also delivers a top-notch user experience and interior.

How Wards chose the winners

The Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award doesn’t just focus on comfort. Judges look for appealing interior layouts and design languages, right down to the controls. Vehicles with ambient lighting and automatic or soft-closing doors also usually earn this award. In addition, winners must have high-quality, easy-to-use infotainment displays.

Most of this year’s winners, such as the Kia Sportage Hybrid and Nissan Ariya, have hybrid or all-electric powertrains. Besides the 2023 Palisade, only two other gas-exclusive cars made the cut. However, the Jeep Wagoneer L and Land Rover Range Rover are much more expensive than the Hyundai SUV. 

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade’s interior has plenty to love

Upscale interior materials and colors in the Palisade’s higher trims, particularly the Limited and Calligraphy, immediately set the stage for a luxurious user experience. The Palisade Limited boasts leather-trimmed seats and a mélange fabric headliner, replaced by a microfiber one in the Calligraphy. This range-topping Palisade also gets premium Nappa leather seats and quilted-leather door panels.

Both trims also have ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Rear side-window sunshades help keep passengers cool, and everyone can enjoy a dual-panel sunroof. The 2023 Palisade Calligraphy is the only trim with second-row wing-out headrests, whose raised side cushions cradle passengers. This trim also has a massaging driver’s seat.

Every Palisade trim has at least seven seats, most of which have power-adjustment features. No seat is lacking in support, and second-row passengers have over 42 inches of legroom. Giving third-row riders extra space is easy with the second-row sliding seats. The back row has at least 31 inches of legroom, while front-row riders have over 44 inches. 

The interior also provides over 84 cubic feet of cargo space. Nearly 46 cubes are available with the third row folded flat. Only higher trims have a hands-free power liftgate, but every model has an underfloor storage area.

Wards also gave the 2023 Palisade high marks for its infotainment system’s graphics and logical menu layout. Every trim has a 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation and voice recognition. The latter is precise, and testers liked the seamless smartphone pairing.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is a well-rounded midsize SUV

Aside from its comfortable interior and intuitive technology, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade packs a 291-hp V6 engine. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. 

The Palisade’s driver-assistance suite includes collision mitigation systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, vehicle exit warning, and blind-spot monitors. There’s also a rear-seat alert to remind drivers of children and pets after parking the vehicle. And when the SUV is in motion, the attention monitor helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

Hyundai starts pricing for the 2023 Palisade at $35,900. The Limited starts at $47,450, and the Calligraphy costs $2,400 more. This SUV’s affordable price point is mind-blowing, considering its opulent accommodations and tech features are on par with luxury rivals.