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Midsize luxury SUVs can cost an arm and a leg. The luxurious vehicles aren’t for everyone, and pricing can make them inaccessible to the average driver. That’s why refined mainstream midsize SUVs can become so popular. The Kia Telluride is a perfect example of a mainstream midsize SUV that can offer the creature comforts of a luxury model for affordable prices. The Telluride’s cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, is arguably an even better midsize luxury SUV alternative because of its final configuration.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is surprisingly affordable

A blue 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is driving on the road.
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

The Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy starts at $49,500. It’s significantly cheaper than many midsize luxury SUVs despite offering similar standard features.

The Palisade Calligraphy is more affordable than the 2023 Genesis GV80, 2023 Lincoln Aviator, and 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE by at least $5,000. The question is, does the Palisade Calligraphy offer as much as midsize luxury SUVs do, or is it outclassed? We’ll break down the standard features and let you decide.

What comes standard on the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy?

A blue 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy midsize SUV.
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy | Hyundai

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy features premium Nappa leather seating surfaces. It also comes with quilted leather door panels, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and second-row captain’s chairs. Talk about comfy.

The Palisade Calligraphy comes with a premium Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system, dynamic voice recognition, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The midsize SUV includes wireless device charging, a heated steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters, and 64-color ambient lighting.

It comes with heated exterior mirrors, satin chrome finish front and rear skid plates, and a hands-free adjustable smart liftgate. The Palisade Calligraphy features remote smart parking assist, navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go, and a surround-view monitor.

As far as standard features go, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is as close to a luxury midsize SUV as most mainstream SUVs can get. It offers a degree of comfort and tech that is practically unparalleled.

Is the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy a good SUV?

The Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy uses a 3.8-liter V6 engine to make 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The midsize SUV gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

Hyundai’s midsize SUV got an Editor’s Choice Award from Car and Driver. It has great standard features and pricing. The Palisade Calligraphy has a roomy and refined interior. It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. U.S. News & World Report calls the Palisade the best midsize SUV.

The Palisade Calligraphy is an amazing SUV for the money. It’s best for drivers with families or a large friend group with a taste for the finer things. Hyundai Motor Company’s luxury brand Genesis makes a great midsize SUV, but the Palisade Calligraphy has many of the same standard features as the GV80.

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