Exploring the Palisade SUV: Key Specs and Performance Insights

Hyundai’s Palisade sits in the heart of the three-row SUV segment, offering space for up to eight passengers and a blend of comfort-focused engineering and modern technology. Instead of focusing on off‑road extremes or sporty handling, it is designed as a family-oriented vehicle meant to handle commuting, errands, and long highway trips with ease.

Understanding how the Palisade behaves on the road, what owners and reviewers tend to highlight, and how its underlying specifications are configured can help clarify whether this SUV fits the needs of drivers who regularly carry passengers and cargo in varying conditions.

Palisade SUV reviews: what do drivers notice?

Professional road tests in the United States often describe the Palisade as a smooth-riding, quiet three-row SUV with a cabin that feels more upscale than its price would suggest. Many reviewers highlight the comfortable front seats, ample legroom in the second row, and a third row that is more usable than in many midsize rivals, particularly for adults on shorter trips.

Owner impressions tend to echo those themes. Families frequently point to the straightforward controls, large touchscreen, and generous storage areas as everyday advantages. Many drivers also mention that the available driver-assistance systems reduce fatigue on longer drives, especially adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features that help keep the vehicle on course during highway travel.

Critiques in Palisade SUV reviews usually focus on fuel economy that is average rather than exceptional for a gasoline-powered three-row SUV, and on the V6 engine becoming more audible during hard acceleration or on steep grades. Some drivers also note that the Palisade’s length and width can make tight city parking or narrow garages more demanding, even though outward visibility is generally good.

Key Palisade SUV features for comfort and safety

The Palisade’s interior layout emphasizes ease of use and passenger comfort. Many models offer seating for eight with a second-row bench, while higher trims commonly include second‑row captain’s chairs that reduce capacity to seven but improve individual comfort and access to the third row. Materials in better-equipped trims often include soft-touch surfaces and stitched dashboard panels that create a more refined atmosphere than some utilitarian alternatives.

Infotainment hardware typically centers on a large touchscreen, paired with smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical knobs and buttons for climate and audio functions help keep everyday adjustments simple. Multiple USB ports across all three rows, available wireless device charging, and an optional premium sound system are all Palisade SUV features aimed at keeping passengers connected and comfortable on long journeys.

Hyundai bundles most advanced safety technology into its SmartSense suite. Common Palisade SUV features in this area include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Available upgrades such as highway driving assist and a surround-view camera system provide added support when dealing with dense traffic, lane changes, or tight parking situations.

For families, small usability details can be just as important as headline technology. The Palisade offers available power-folding third-row seats to simplify switching between passenger and cargo duties, along with one-touch mechanisms that let the second row slide and fold to open access to the rear. An interior intercom or conversation feature on some trims allows front passengers to communicate more easily with those in the third row, and well-controlled cabin noise levels help make long trips more pleasant for all occupants.

Palisade SUV specifications: engine, space, and towing

In the U.S. market, the Palisade has typically been offered with a 3.8‑liter V6 gasoline engine paired with an eight‑speed automatic transmission. Output is around 291 horsepower and 262 pound‑feet of torque, sent to the front wheels as standard or to all four wheels through Hyundai’s HTRAC all‑wheel‑drive system. Gear changes are generally smooth, and the powertrain is calibrated for relaxed, predictable responses rather than aggressive performance.

Fuel economy varies slightly by model year and drivetrain, but most versions return EPA ratings in the general range of the high‑teens in city driving and mid‑20s on the highway. Those figures place the Palisade near the middle of the class among gasoline-powered three-row SUVs. Drivers who frequently carry many passengers, tow, or spend most of their time in stop‑and‑go traffic may see real‑world consumption that is lower than the official estimates.

Dimensionally, the Palisade fits squarely in the midsize three-row category. Overall length is just under 197 inches, with a wheelbase of about 114 inches, a configuration that contributes to stable highway manners and a generally comfortable ride. Interior space is generous in the first and second rows, and the third row offers more headroom and legroom than many similarly sized competitors, making it usable for adults on shorter journeys as well as for children on longer trips.

Cargo volume depends on seat configuration. With all three rows in place, the Palisade provides enough space for everyday groceries or a few carry‑on suitcases behind the third row. Folding just the third row increases room for bulkier items such as strollers or large luggage, while folding both rear rows creates a long, nearly flat load floor suitable for home‑improvement materials, sports equipment, or camping gear.

For drivers who tow occasionally, properly equipped Palisade models in the United States are typically rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when using a trailer with brakes. That capacity covers many small campers, utility trailers, and modest-sized boats. The suspension is tuned primarily for comfort, so the ride remains composed over broken pavement, though sharp bumps and larger road imperfections are still noticeable due to the vehicle’s size and weight. Steering effort is light, supporting ease of maneuvering in parking lots and suburban streets.

Taken together, the Palisade SUV specifications, combined with the features highlighted by owners and reviewers, present a picture of a three-row vehicle aimed squarely at family use and long-distance comfort. Its combination of a well-finished cabin, comprehensive safety technology, realistic towing capability, and a usable third row makes it a practical option for drivers who regularly move several passengers and need a vehicle that feels stable and predictable across a wide range of day‑to‑day driving situations.