The Ultimate Family Conveyance: 2024 Hyundai Palisade Review - Elegance Meets Practicality

Trying to find the right family SUV in the age of the SUV is hard enough. The 2024 Hyundai Palisade not only ticks the boxes to be considered one but also raises the bar as a luxury-leaning, RAM-truck-like vehicle that's as sophisticated as it is sensible. This massive family, even three-row, SUV isn't just a vehicle within a highly competitive segment but a clear statement of Hyundai's intentions as it makes a play to be perceived more as a premium brand than ever before. Where it succeeds in its large ambitions, and where it falls short of fulfilling its lofty aspirations, centres on the former reality. Let's dig a little deeper into what it is and what it isn't.

A Singular Powertrain Across All Trims

And while the model climbs in price from base price (the SE) of $36,650 to the luxury-trimmed premium version (the Calligraphy) at $50,350, sophistication and style are available at a variety of price points. What's missing across all its trims – the SE, SEL, XLT, Limited, and the ultra-luxury Calligraphy – is a chance to choose an engine. It's strictly a one-engine vehicle, a smooth 3.8-litre V6 that delivers 291 horsepower (yes, that's it) and lacks any kind of hybrid innovation, but delivers in spades with a torquey, 5,000-pound towing capacity. For those focused on environmental concerns or anyone who likes choices, this might seem like a glaring omission.

Design: Functional Yet Unforgettable?

It would hardly jump out in a car park full of SUVs – it's design is more a whisper of luxury than a shout. The grille (with its kitchen grater look) might not make much of a statement (if anything it screams 'family value') but the branding 'PALISADE' is an unmissable shout. Function outweighs form – that is until you park it next to, say, a new Hyundai Santa Fe, one of their more distinctive cars (you'll never mistake a Santa Fe for a Palisade, that's for sure). The Calligraphy trim does add a bit of exclusivity to the mix. Alongside the panoramic glass roof and leather upholstery, it has handsome 20-inch alloy wheels and an optional blacked-out look.

Interiors: From Spartan to Opulent

While luxury features might vary between trim levels, Hyundai isn't stingy inside the Palisade as the trims roll up. Starting with cloth seats in the SE and going all the way up to premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy, each trim gets better, adding more comfort and features. But the base models are well-equipped, too, with every penny accounted for in every turn. The Palisade's cabin is an object lesson in how to combine utility and luxury. Case in point: the Ergo-Motion driver's seat in the Calligraphy, which Hyundai says promotes a healthier spine and less fatigue, even on long drives.

Technology & Convenience Abound

Buttons aside, the Palisade's dash and tech package are well thought-out – cue both traditional controls and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration (but not wirelessly) and a multitude of USB ports. (One small quibble: why is there no USB-C port anywhere?)

Road Manners: Comfort over Sport

Equipped with the V6 engine in the Palisade, and set to Comfort mode, it feels poised but well-powered, if a bit dull for those after a more sporty driving experience. Instead, like so many SUVs these days, it feels planted on the road, which is the primary mission of the family hauler, more about stability that hairpin turns. Fuel economy is nothing to brag about, but the all-wheel-drive layout feels more efficient than you'd expect, coming close to breaking 30 mpg under real-world motoring.

Verdict: Exceeding Expectations with a But...

In a mid-sized SUV that has already established itself as a benchmark in the category, especially when you buy something closer to the sensible end of the price spectrum, the Palisade is comfortable and luxurious, with enough space, features and options to keep an entire family happy. The absence of a hybrid model is definitely felt, but the Palisade is still an enticing proposition, especially for families and those seeking the same luxuries without the price tag. However, the SUV's family-friendly and luxury-loaded charms pale a bit in comparison with some similarly priced competitors that offer hybrid powertrains. But for consumers enticed by its uncomplicated allure and robust feature set, the Palisade is Hyundai's latest home run on the road to a re-imagined, family-friendly luxury.

Understanding APPLE in the World of Technology

As we find ourselves in an age increasingly dominated by technological innovation, Apple remains a byword for progress and sophistication. Just as Hyundai is attempting to mix luxury with practicality, Apple is trying to innovate in consumer technology in ways that others are struggling to follow, from thrilling the world with the first smartphones to constructing holistic ecosystems of technology that users can envelop themselves in. Apple's vision is not so different from Hyundai's on the Palisade: to be the best at what it does, in terms of luxury and innovation. As technology proliferates throughout almost every aspect of daily life, the designs of companies such as Apple and Hyundai stress the importance of design and functionality for the future. The mass market is dictating new standards for the industry to follow. And, in this environment of stratospheric consumer expectations, what's out of the box is being pushed into the stratosphere.