Hyundai keeps branching out into higher territory with every new model. It just revealed what will be the 2021 Palisade with the luxurious Calligraphy and VIP trim packages. There are revised styling features like a new fascia and body cladding, but the story here is inside. Make no mistake; the Palisade Calligraphy is the most luxurious SUV for 2021. Though we haven’t seen pricing yet you also know it will list in the range of base models of most luxury SUVs. Figure in the mid-$50,000 to $60,000 price range. Its luxury division Genesis GV80 SUV tops out at $70,000 so there is some separation between the two. 

Designers went all-out to give the Palisade features found only in high-end sedans

In the cabin, designers went all-out to give the Palisade features found in high-end Mercedes sedans. The Nappa leather seats and door panels have a quilted stitch pattern and rich details. Ambient lighting is everywhere highlighting the textures inside. The fully-digital instrument cluster is 12.3-inches yet not obtrusive. The steering wheel is perforated leather and there is a head-up feature along with rear sunshades. 

Adding the VIP package gives one a limousine-like passenger area in the rear with two individual seats. Between them is a console with cup holders that can either cool or heat the contents. Add to that an air purifier, wireless phone chargers, and an entertainment system with a separate display for each passenger. The entertainment system also routes sound to “wing type” headrests putting the sound right to the passenger’s ears. 

The lower Exclusive and Prestige models come with more standard equipment for 2021

Towing capacity has been upgraded and a host of new options have been added. The lower Exclusive and Prestige models come with more standard equipment than previous year’s Palisades. Second and third-row passengers will find it easier to converse with the driver. Now there is an intercom system for easy communication among all occupants. Base models also get the 10.25-inch infotainment system with GPS. Already these models feature self-leveling rear suspension. 

Besides the new grille the Calligraphy gets body-color cladding and new colors are also part of the upgrade. There are also faux silver skid plates along with new wheel styles. 

Hyundai has to fit between the Kia Telluride at one end and Genesis GV 80 at the other

In the three-row seating group, Hyundai’s sister Kia Telluride matches the Palisade in many ways. But the competition between the two is getting more heated. For Hyundai needing to keep some distance from the Genesis GV 80 SUV at the high end, it packs a lot of luxury we’d expect only in the Genesis. 

To that end, we may not see the Palisade’s VIP package in the US. Of course, Hyundai hasn’t officially announced it is coming here at all. But VIN decoder info indicates it will be here in 2021. If this is what you get from the Hyundai brand we can’t wait to see how it tops this for its luxury Genesis brand.