The idea of luxury vehicle ownership appeals to many, but not so much handing over tens and thousands of dollars for the car. Nowadays, you can get a Hyundai Palisade that’s well-equipped and (in some cases) better than one from a premium brand. If you’ve got $50,000 to spend, here’s why you should choose the Hyundai Palisade’s price over the new Infiniti QX60.

Is the Infiniti QX60 even a good luxury SUV?

The Infiniti QX60 probably isn’t the worst SUV, but is in the bottom half of U.S. News rankings for that segment. While critics think the 295-hp V6 is fast, the QX60’s overall handling falls short of luxury standards. Most critics believe that the ride is comfortable, but a few still complain about a rigid suspension.

Another major flaw of the Infiniti QX60 relates to passenger capacity. The third row only has 28 inches of legroom, which probably isn’t enough for the average adult. You might be better off folding it down and utilizing that space for cargo instead. With just four or five seats in use, the QX60 offers over 41 cubic feet of storage area. 

On the other hand, U.S. News says that the Hyundai Palisade is the second-best midsize SUV available. While both SUVs have V6 engines with similar horsepower outputs, the Hyundai Palisade features a more refined transmission. Aside from the odd critique about body roll, most professional reviews praised the Palisade’s ride and handling.

The Hyundai Palisade is a three-row SUV like the Infiniti QX60, but it can potentially seat eight passengers instead of seven. Critics say that adults tolerate the third row, which offers over 31 in of legroom. The Hyundai Palisade is also superior to the QX60 in terms of second-row legroom, cabin legroom, and overall cargo capacity. The real case for the former is that the Hyundai Palisade’s price is more affordable.

The Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy’s price and features exude luxury

While you can no longer order the most expensive Palisade directly from Hyundai, it carries an MSRP of $49,850. The 2024 Calligraphy model is only $250 more expensive. Every passenger gets to enjoy Nappa leather seats, and the standard interior door panels are replaced with quilted leather. 

You also get a leather-wrapped two-toned steering wheel and a digital rearview mirror. The seats in the first two rows are ventilated and heated, while the third row gets standard heating. Only the driver’s seat is equipped with ergo-motion, which uses subtle vibrations to reportedly improve driver posture over long drives.

The Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy has a trim-specific grille design and rides on flashy 20-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior upgrades include puddle lamps, satin chrome door handles, and a dual-pane sunroof. This trim is also the only one with remote parking assist. 

Premium features from the lower trims also carry over, such as a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and smartphone integration. The Calligraphy model also has a Harmon Kardon audio system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a slew of advanced safety equipment. 

What does an Infiniti QX60 Pure offer?

Infiniti currently sells the base trim of the 2023 QX60 for $49,200. While leather seats are standard, heating is reserved for the front seats and ventilation isn’t included. Its infotainment touchscreen is the same size as the Palisade Calligraphy’s, plus it features wireless smartphone integration. Both of these SUVs also have a standard wireless charging pad and a moonroof.

Still, the Infiniti QX60 Pure doesn’t feature as many safety functions or navigation as you’d find in the top-tier Palisade. If those are must-haves for you, you’ll need to purchase the Luxe trim for at least $55,520. Given that the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy showcases so many features along with extra driving enjoyment, you’ll probably prefer it over the cheapest Infiniti QX60 model since the Hyundai Palisade’s price is just as accessible.