The Hyundai Palisade has long been a favorite in the competitive three-row SUV segment, known for its spaciousness and feature-rich packages at a compelling price. The 2024 Hyundai Palisade XRT model I recently tested continues this tradition, immediately impressing with a sticker price of $45,550. For a mid-range trim, the XRT boasts a surprising level of comfort and desirable features often reserved for higher trims in other brands, making it clear why the Palisade remains a strong contender for families seeking value. While top-tier trims from competitors often push prices skyward, Hyundai smartly positions the Palisade, particularly in trims like the XRT, to deliver exceptional bang for your buck. While the Limited and Calligraphy models offer even more luxury, this XRT trim perfectly encapsulates Hyundai’s strength: providing incredible value.
Interior Comfort and Design: A Pleasant Surprise for the Price
Stepping inside the 2024 Hyundai Palisade XRT, the interior quality far exceeded my expectations given the price point. It’s important to acknowledge that the Palisade and its Kia Telluride twin are no longer the only class leaders. New competitors like the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander have emerged, raising the bar in certain areas. However, the Palisade still holds its own, especially in interior ambiance for the price. While some might expect budget materials at this price, the Palisade XRT presents a well-appointed cabin. There are some harder plastics present, and the seats aren’t genuine leather, opting instead for convincing leatherette. However, these are minor concessions in an otherwise comfortable and thoughtfully designed space. Initially, I mistook the Palisade XRT for a higher-priced model, around $52,000 or more, which led to a moment of thinking “is that all?”. However, upon seeing the actual sticker price, my perception shifted dramatically to “Wow, this is pretty impressive!”. The Palisade cleverly maximizes space and storage for all passengers, regardless of seating position. Furthermore, the air conditioning system proved incredibly effective, a welcome feature during hot weather, quickly cooling the cabin even on 100+ degree days.
Engine and Performance: The Palisade’s Weak Spot
Where the Hyundai Palisade Review starts to show some cracks compared to newer rivals is under the hood. The Palisade soldiers on with a naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 engine. While I appreciate the smoothness and sound of a V6, this particular engine feels dated in today’s market. Fuel economy is a significant drawback, achieving only around 19 MPG in my testing. This pales in comparison to competitors like the Mazda CX-90 with its turbocharged inline-six, which managed 23-26 MPG in similar conditions, while also delivering more power. If the Palisade’s V6 offered exhilarating performance to justify the fuel consumption, it might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The engine feels sluggish at lower RPMs, especially when paired with a transmission that seems eager to shift into higher gears. This can create a noticeable lack of responsiveness when you need quick acceleration, particularly in situations like merging into fast-moving traffic. The engine’s reluctance to downshift promptly can be frustrating, leaving you wanting for more power when accelerating from lower speeds. While this might be an attempt to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions by quickly upshifting, the resulting “dead spot” in the power delivery can be a significant annoyance.
Ride and Handling: Comfort Prioritized
The Hyundai Palisade is clearly tuned for comfort over sporty handling, which aligns well with its family SUV mission. It’s not designed for aggressive cornering, but it maintains decent body control in typical driving situations. Transitions in corners are average for the class, and composure remains adequate even on sweeping highway on-ramps. The tires offer reasonable grip, resisting excessive understeer. Some drivers will appreciate the light steering, which makes the Palisade easy to maneuver in daily driving. However, those who prefer a more connected feel might find the steering too vague. On the positive side, the ride quality is excellent, effectively absorbing bumps and road imperfections. Wind noise is also well-controlled, contributing to a relaxed and comfortable experience on longer trips.
Technology and Safety: Well-Equipped but with Quirks
The 2024 Palisade comes with a comprehensive suite of safety systems, including blind-spot monitoring and collision warnings. However, the adaptive cruise control can be overly sensitive, sometimes struggling to maintain a set speed on hilly roads. The start/stop system, designed to save fuel, can also be somewhat intrusive. The engine restart can be noticeable with a slight shudder, and the system’s logic can be occasionally frustrating, such as restarting the engine immediately after shifting into park and before the driver removes their foot from the brake. Another minor gripe is the push-button gear selector. While space-saving, it can introduce a slight delay when quickly shifting gears, which can be noticeable in situations requiring rapid maneuvering. On the tech front, while equipped with numerous USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto still require a wired connection, a surprising omission in 2024, although wireless connectivity is expected in future models.
Value Proposition and Conclusion: Still a Top Contender for the Money
Despite some criticisms, particularly regarding the engine performance, the Hyundai Palisade remains a compelling choice, primarily due to its exceptional value. For buyers prioritizing space, features, and overall quality within a budget, the Palisade, especially in trims like the XRT, is hard to beat. While the Toyota Grand Highlander might be a more well-rounded option, particularly in its higher trims and with the Hybrid MAX powertrain, the Palisade excels in the lower to mid-price ranges. If your budget stretches beyond $50,000, competitors like the Grand Highlander or Mazda CX-90 might become more attractive. However, if you’re aiming for a spacious and well-equipped three-row SUV for significantly less than $50,000, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade review concludes that it continues to deliver outstanding value and remains a top recommendation in its class. The engine’s shortcomings can be mitigated with acclimation to its driving characteristics, but ideally, Hyundai would address these in future updates. Ultimately, the Palisade’s strengths in value and overall package make it a compelling option for families seeking a capable and comfortable SUV without breaking the bank.
