It’s harder than it looks offering buyers an SUV that’s the perfect blend of comfort, utility, and value but the 2024 Hyundai Palisade is one of the few that comes the closest to putting the three together in a composed yet balanced package. The Palisade got a significant revamp that saw the SUV get more polish and poise to match its unique character. But does this extend to the Calligraphy model as it fights for sales in the near-luxury sub-segment? We wanted to find out.
Palisade Calligraphy looks the part now
When we last saw the Palisade Calligraphy, we couldn’t help but be impressed with how the SUV manages to look like a proper luxury contender. Part of this is due to the exterior details that are now exclusive to that model with the front grille getting a higher amount of chrome bling and trim-exclusive wheels that have an elegant look and are an improvement over the old hoops
The rear end is still the most controversial part of the SUV but we’ll give Hyundai designers a nod for still trying their best to inject more excitement into an area of the SUV that’s often left to be bland and boring with the taillights adding a crisp element to the design. Buyers looking to embrace the recent trend of blacked-out edition models will be pleased to hear that the Calligraphy will be offering a new Night Edition model for 2024 which replaces the bright chrome work with darkened accents which is similar to what the lower-rung XRT model does for lesser models.
The Night Edition will also help the big Hyundai be able to compete more effectively against rivals especially the Ford Explorer and the Grand Highlander with both of these models getting updates that allow them to come closer to the Hyundai in many of the core details.
Comfort takes priority in Palisade
Slip inside the 2024 Palisade and you’ll find that there’s plenty of space for occupants and cargo. Hauling people will depend on what trim you get with the SE and SEL having room for eight passengers while Limited and range-topping Calligraphy models like our tester get standard second-row captain’s chairs that reduce seating capacity to seven with the removal of the second-row bench. The second-row seats in our tester featured a power-slide feature that allows for easier access to the third-row and both rear rows get standard power folding capability too.
The Calligraphy is not a Cadillac but the interior updates allowed it to stand out better from the Limited with warm wood inlays being matched with higher-quality materials. The seats get higher quality leather upholstery and the headrests get foldable wings that were partially inspired by those seen in airline seats. The side bolstering is good for its segment and the ribbed accents in the backrest also felt good to sit on. However, the bottom cushion is as flat as it looks and lacks ample support. At least the Ergo-Motion feature delivers on its promises especially on long freeway road trips. All Calligraphys get a 12.3-inch infotainment system and a mirroring 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard with the latter option being legible and clear during our time with it.
The third row is still roomy but this particular area is best left for children or folded down to help expand cargo room which is enough for several large luggage bags or even a large haul of groceries. The interior also boasts an impressive amount of USB ports with passengers in all areas of the SUV getting access to USB ports to help charge their devices. The Calligraphy also benefits from an extensive use of noise-deadening material but while it silences other types of noise, we did discover that wind noise is still a prominent offender that dampens the luxurious atmosphere slightly.
Take your time and the Palisade’s driving behavior emerges
Performance for the 2024 Hyundai Palisade continues to come from a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 that makes 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade shares this engine and the eight-speed automatic with its platform mate the Kia Telluride and the V6 is a smooth operator most of the time. We say most of the time because this engine prefers to take its time going through the motions and will reward drivers with buzzing and undesirable noises if the SUV is tasked with hard acceleration.
The steering in our tester was responsive and direct but the slow-shifting eight-speed transmission counterbalances this by not delivering the right amount of power when asked to do so with sleepy shifts also being part of its resume. Thankfully, the paddle shifters on the steering wheel help address this concern somewhat and allow the transmission to wake up from its slumber. Braking was strong and smooth even in panic stops.
The EPA says that the Palisade can get 19/21/25mpg in city, freeway, and combined driving which puts it on par with many of its segment rivals including the Telluride. Like Kia, Hyundai has no plans to add a hybrid version of the Palisade to the lineup which is a shame since it would help squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of the engine especially in city driving.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2024 Hyundai Palisade starts at $36,800 which will get you into a base SE model. All-wheel drive is available as a $2,000 option on all models. Make your way up to a Calligraphy like our tester and you’ll be greeted with a base price of $50,600 with the optional AWD system on our tester adding $2,000 to the price. As a result, our tester ended up having a final as-tested price of just over $52,000. This pricing may seem a bit steep at first, but it is on par with other near-luxury contenders
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.