2025 Hyundai Palisade: What We Liked And What Fell Short
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is a three-row SUV that blends upscale style, technology, and practicality for family life into a well-rounded package. It’s a carryover model this year with no major changes as an all-new generation is expected for the 2026 model year. Starting at $37,100, excluding the $1,475 destination charge, this is an affordable option for large families. While it excels in comfort, safety, and tech, there are a few areas where it could improve. Let’s look at the best and worst features of the 2025 Hyundai Palisade.
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Hyundai
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, 20 years after the birth of the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company. The automotive marque's first model was the Cortina, birthed with the help of Ford in 1968, while its first self-developed car arrived the year after as the Pony. Since then, the company has found success with affordable cars and has consistently become known for reliability and value. Nowadays, its ventures vary from combustion, hybrid, all-electric, and hydrogen mobility solutions to robotics.
The Best
Spacious and Comfortable Interior
2025 Hyundai Palisade front seats
Take a seat and the first thing you'll notice is the abundance of space. This three-row SUV comfortably seats up to eight passengers with optional second-row captain’s chairs that take seating down to seven. The upside to losing that middle seat is easier access to the third row.
In addition to being roomy, the quality of the materials Hyundai uses throughout the interior helps make it an SUV that’s warm and welcoming. The front seats are supportive yet plush with available heat and ventilation on higher trims. There are also available heated and ventilated second-row seats and even heated third-row seats.
Advanced Safety Technology
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Hyundai is known for including a wide range of standard safety features on its vehicles and the 2025 Palisade is no exception. The standard Hyundai SmartSense suite of advanced driver assistance features includes:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection)
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
Higher trims add even more features, such as a surround-view monitor, a blind-spot view monitor, and Highway Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience.
User-Friendly Technology
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Technology can make or break an SUV, and Hyundai ensures the Palisade’s tech is intuitive and comprehensive. There’s a responsive 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that includes a split-screen function that allows you to display navigation, media, and climate controls at the same time.
Multiple USB-C ports located in all three rows along with an available wireless charging pad ensure the whole family stays connected. Parents will love the intercom system, which amplifies the driver’s voice, so there’s no doubt that the kids will hear you way in the back. There’s also a quiet mode, which mutes the rear speakers while keeping audio playing in the front, so the kiddies can take a nap.
Powerful and Smooth Performance![]()
2024 Hyundai Palisade engine
A 3.8-liter 6-cylinder engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. It delivers smooth acceleration and enough power to easily merge onto highways.
There’s a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive for the full lineup, making the Palisade a solid choice for all-weather driving. The suspension system soaks up the bumps to deliver a comfortable ride. While it’s not a performance SUV, the Palisade handles well for its size, staying composed in corners with minimal body roll on winding roads.
Luxury-Level Features in Higher Trims![]()
2025 Hyundai Palisade Harman Kardon audio
The Calligraphy trim feels more like a luxury SUV than a mainstream family hauler. Features including Nappa leather seats, a suede headliner, ambient lighting, and a digital rearview mirror create a truly premium driving experience.
This trim also gets an Ergo-Motion seat, which helps stretch and massage your body to prevent weariness on long trims. Even audio is premium with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. It’s a luxury offering without the sky-high luxury price.
The Worst
Fuel Economy
2025 Hyundai Palisade Black Front Angle
The Palisade gets an EPA-estimated 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined with front-wheel drive or 19/24/21 mpg respectively with all-wheel drive. It’s not terrible, but it does fall short of the Toyota Highlander’s turbocharged 4-cylinder.
The Palisade is also offered with only one engine option. There’s no hybrid, again something the Highlander does offer, which makes the Palisade a less-appealing option for those who put a priority on fuel economy or who have lots of road trips in their future.
Limited Third-Row Cargo Space
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With all three rows up, the Palisade offers 18.0 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s enough for a few grocery bags or carry-on suitcases, but families who need to haul larger items or lots of luggage may find it a challenge.
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There’s also 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row with 86.4 cubic feet behind the first row. This makes things easier, but only if you’re not carrying a full load of people. For those who have large people and cargo needs at the same time, the Palisade can be a challenge.
2025 Hyundai Palisade center console
Price Of Higher Trims
While the Palisade starts at $37,100, the fully loaded Calligraphy model is $54,400. It's an affordable car at the start, but it sits in pricey territory at the top of the lineup. It's still great value, but the base trims of luxury models from the likes of Acura and Lexus get competitive at that price point. Those brands are also recognized as luxury brands, just in case you want to show off to the neighbors.
Final Thoughts: Is the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Worth It?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade remains one of the top choices in the three-row SUV segment. With a comfortable interior, advanced safety features, strong performance, and upscale options, it delivers a well-rounded driving experience at a competitive price. However, its fuel economy, lack of hybrid options, and tight third row could be dealbreakers for some buyers.
For those seeking a practical and luxurious family SUV, the Palisade remains a strong contender—just be mindful of its few shortcomings before making a decision.
