2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy in Moonlight Cloud (a $400 coloration possibility)
2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Class: Midsize Crossover
Color: Moonlight Cloud
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Value grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Consumer Guide’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Big” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 291-hp 3.8-liter |
| Engine Type | V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles pushed: 847
Observed gasoline economic system: 20.6 mpg
Driving combine: 25% metropolis, 75% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 19/25/21 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Fuel kind: Regular gasoline
Base value: $49,200 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Options on take a look at automobile: Special paint ($400)
Price as examined: $50,495
Quick Hits
The nice: Premium cabin appointments, beneficiant passenger area
The good: Plenty of energy, respectable gasoline economic system, long-trip consolation
The not so good: More freeway highway noise than we’d like
Tom Appel:
How model acutely aware are you? I ask, as a result of you may pay an terrible lot for a badge. I believe you already know the place that is going…
A few years in the past, I acquired a name from a colleague concerning my comparatively constructive tackle Cadillac’s midsize 3-row XT6 crossover. And, certainly, I discovered the XT6 to be a properly completed and intensely refined automobile; a wonderful multi-passenger freeway long-haul cruiser. After defending my place on the XT6, I requested what he would recommend as a substitute of the Caddy. “Palisade” he mentioned. “Hmm,” I believed.
2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Here at Consumer Guide, we usually advocate cross buying inside class. And, the Palisade (Midsize Crossover) and the XT6 (Premium Midsize Crossover) are in several classes. The distinction between classes primarily comes right down to physique kind and value vary, and thus the Hyundai and the Caddy play in several strata. But the query raised by my colleague is, do they actually?
A little bit of historical past: The Hyundai Palisade and shut cousin Kia Telluride had been launched for the 2020 mannequin yr. Both automobiles represented distinctive greenback worth, and provided close to full-size SUV room and luxury at a midsize crossover value. And, even the mid-level trims had been very properly geared up and completed.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
For 2021, Hyundai added a brand new prime trim stage to the Palisade lineup: Calligraphy. If you had been solely an off-the-cuff trade observer, you may suppose that Hyundai was overreaching with the Calligraphy, however customers appear impressed. Hyundai experiences that Calligraphy fashions account for roughly 40 p.c of Palisade gross sales. Additionally, throughout my first take a look at drive of a Palisade Calligraphy, two separate strangers requested me if I used to be driving the brand new Range Rover. Really.
Now, different mainstream manufacturers supply high-end variations of their midsize crossovers. The Toyota Highlander Platinum and the Ford Explorer King Ranch each play as near-premium automobiles, however the Palisade takes issues a half step additional.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
For 2023, the Palisade lineup ascends by 5 trim ranges: base SE, standard SEL, new XRT, well-equipped Limited, and luxury-level Calligraphy. The new XRT sports activities an off-road theme, and is comparable in idea the brand new Ford Explorer Timberline. All Palisades include 3-row seating. Base costs for the Palisade lineup vary from about $35,000 to $50,000. So, when you’re not enthusiastic about a premium crossover expertise, you may nonetheless construct a properly geared up Palisade for lower than $40,000.
Among the various issues separating the Calligraphy from lesser Palisades are a singular grille, particular exterior trim, distinctive 20-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather-based seating surfaces, massaging seats, ambient cabin lighting, and a usually extra upscale cabin.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
A 2023 Palisade freshening brings with it blockier exterior design, a higher-resolution touchscreen, and Wi-Fi hotspot.
All Palisades are powered by s stout 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automated transmission. Power goes to the entrance wheels except AWD is ordered.
Consumer Guide frolicked with an AWD Calligraphy. Essentially a one-price trim stage, our take a look at automotive got here to $52,395, together with the one obtainable possibility, further price paint (Moonlight Cloud, $400).
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Inside, the luxury-alternative factor comes throughout fairly convincingly. The fluted leather-based door trim, matte-finish aluminum accents, and weathered-look wooden inlays not solely look high-end, the trendy design appears like one thing you’d discover in a top-trim-level Audi or Volvo. Color us impressed. The cabin is practical as effectively. The management format is uncomplicated, and touch-screen operation is simple to be taught and easy to handle. Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal, by the way in which.
There’s loads of grownup area within the entrance and a couple ofnd rows. The third row, which is comparatively simple to succeed in, will accommodate a midsize grownup for an inexpensive period of time, although in apply we’d reserve placement for youthful and extra nimble passengers. If there’s a single metric by which the Calligraphy fails its luxurious mission, it is likely to be cabin noise. Windrush ranges, although acceptable at this value level, are excessive for the premium crossover class. Fortunately, the superb Harmon Kardon sound system offers loads of incentive to show up the music.
Moving alongside, the massive V6 serves up loads of helpful torque at low pace and ample passing and merging energy. When pushed the engine sounds refined, and is hardly heard when cruising.
Our test-drive expertise embrace some severe freeway time. Before hitting the highway we had been averaging an inexpensive 18.9 mpg in principally metropolis driving. After a fast run to Des Moines, Iowa from the Chicago space, our common gasoline economic system jumped to twenty.6 mpg, not unhealthy provided that the automobile was effectively loaded with folks and stuff.
On the freeway, we discovered the headlights aimed too low for straightforward signal studying at evening. Though the highway forward was effectively illuminated, speed-limit and different signal indicators had been positioned simply above the sunshine area. This could also be an issue simply fastened by a easy adjustment.
As for cargo, the Palisade offers loads of helpful space for storing in again, and a comparatively low and flat load ground, which helps when loading and unloading the large stuff.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
CG Says:
While there’s nothing flawed with driving a Hyundai, driving a Palisade Calligraphy may be very very like driving a automobile $10,000-20,000 dearer. While we wouldn’t fault buyers for choosing the extra reasonably priced Limited trim stage, the Calligraphy may symbolize the most effective worth possibility within the Palisade lineup. If you’re not particularly model acutely aware, Hyundai has a deal for you—a really luxurious deal.
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2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
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