Very nice but: Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition AWD
Especially in Night-edition black, the Palisade is Hyundai’s handsome hunk of a three-row SUV; and in $55,000 Calligraphy trim, it is the flagship of the maker’s fleet. This is the 2025 model; the refreshed ’26 is due any moment now.
Especially in Night-edition black, the Palisade is Hyundai’s handsome hunk of a three-row SUV; and in $55,000 Calligraphy trim, it is the flagship of the maker’s fleet. This is the 2025 model; the refreshed ’26 is due any moment now.
Palisade: a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure or defense; alternatively, an upscale three-row ‘family-first’ crossover SUV from the Hyundai Motor Company available in six trim levels with a starting price of $37,200 plus destination fees adding up to a further $1,475.
Except for updating the price for 2025, this is how we led off the review of last year’s Palisade in March 2024. Things have changed little since then—the Palisade still bears no resemblance whatsoever to a fence, and it remains a smooth operator. If the name is meant to suggest protection against outside forces, the Palisade does this well.
For almost 20 grand more than the entry-level SE model, the Calligraphy Night Edition is the tippy-top of the Palisade family tree, and it does a creditable imitation of a luxury SUV. Granted, the doors don’t close themselves electrically and there are no Business Class reclining seats in the back, but at less than $56,000 the Palisade offers luxury for less.
Whatever the trim level, for 2025 the gasoline-fired powerplant is still a 291-horsepower 3.8-litre V-6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually via paddles behind the steering wheel. A dial on the console lets the driver choose from among five operating modes: Smart, Sport, Comfort, Eco and Snow. There’s no Tow mode, but the Palisade is rated to haul up to 5,000 pounds.
On start-up, the system defaults to Comfort. I’ve been driving around in Smart—who doesn’t want to be smart?—or, when my wife is not on board, Sport. No matter the setting, the Palisade is comfortable, quiet and well-behaved. However, fuel efficiency of 21 miles per gallon is so yesterday, even in a large family vehicle. Thus for model year 2026, Hyundai will offer a hybrid gas-electric Palisade that should be far cleaner and more economical to drive.
In fact, although we’re barely halfway through 2025, a thoroughly refreshed ‘26 Palisade is expected in Hyundai stores right about now—it’s already on Hyundai USA’s website—and so much of what you’re reading will shortly become obsolete. But if Hyundai dealers begin to offer discounts on leftover ’25 Palisades to make room for the ‘26, this could be a great opportunity.
Next week: Acura ZDX
