Competes with: Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent
Looks like: The Palisade got some dental work, and there’s a new soft-road XRT trim
Powertrain: 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6; eight-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
Hits dealers: Summer
We’re mostly fans of the Hyundai Palisade here at Cars.com; we named it our Best of 2020 winner and even purchased one for our long-term fleet. We also dealt with months of foul-smelling interior issues that seem to have been fixed in later iterations but were extremely frustrating during our ownership experience. For the 2023 model year, Hyundai’s three-row SUV gets mild exterior updates and more significant technology updates, as well as a trendy new XRT soft-road trim.
In an extremely competitive class — one where the Telluride’s Kia Telluride cousin is stealing the spotlight — will these updates be enough for the Palisade to climb to the top of shopper’s lists?
Exterior Updates
The most noticeable change to the Palisade’s exterior is its larger, bolder grille design and new vertical LED headlights. In photos, the grille looks less angular than other Hyundai models but is still a bit jarring, like someone you know getting veneers with no warning. The rear bumper design has also been updated.
The other major change is a new XRT trim level. The XRT designation is one Hyundai has begun using for models that have the appearance of off-road vehicles, though without any additional capability — an increasingly popular move. The Palisade XRT gets dark-finish 20-inch wheels and “rugged look” exterior styling on the front and rear and along the doors, along with a darkened grille and black roof rails.
Improved Technology
The bigger changes happen inside, which gains a host of updated comfort and convenience technologies. A new 12-inch touchscreen display is joined by more powerful USB-C ports (replacing less powerful USB-A connections) and wireless device charging upgraded to 15 watts from 5 watts. A Hyundai-first rearview camera mirror provides a view behind the Palisade if the traditional mirror is obscured by passengers or cargo inside the SUV. Another Hyundai-first technology in the new Palisade is an available Wi-Fi hot spot. Owners can also use the latest iteration of Hyundai’s Digital Key 2, which supports iPhone, Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy devices, to unlock and operate the SUV.
Comfort improvements include the first heated third-row seats in a Hyundai, a new ergonomic driver’s seat design, and new wing-out head restraints and ventilation that improve occupant comfort in the second row. Additional changes have been made to the instrument panel and air vent designs.
Unchanged Under the Hood
One area that remains mostly unchanged is the Palisade’s powertrain: Buyers will still get a 3.8-liter V-6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 pounds-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The only choice will be whether to have front- or all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive Palisades, however, will have a new tow driving mode that adjusts the transmission response while towing to hold gears longer and reduce shifting frequency.
Safety Features
Among the advanced safety features on the Palisade are hands-on semi-autonomous driving, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane-centering steering, blind spot warning with collision avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring and remote parking assist to move the Palisade in and out of tight spaces.
Pricing and Release Date
Pricing for the updated 2023 Palisade should be released closer to its expected on-sale date this summer.
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Keyword: 2023 Hyundai Palisade Gets Bolder Face, More Technology