Looks. Technology. Utility. Not to mention a gorgeous, upscale interior. The 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy impressively delivers all of the above. So when I discovered there are no notable updates to share with the arrival of the 2022 Calligraphy model (introduced in 2021), I didn’t mind a bit, as the Palisade doesn’t need any. As one of the most sought-after, and hard-to-get, SUVs over the past year, the three-row Palisade combines style, comfort, technology, utility and value in a way that’s consistently hard to beat.
Exterior
The Palisade is an impressive sight be it in a parking lot or coming down the street in a stately looking dark Moonlight Cloud hue with a long, sculpted hood and available silver roof rails, chrome accents and statement-making wheels.
The Calligraphy edition features an exclusive premium design front grille, premium rear accent lighting, side mirror approach puddle lights and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. The Calligraphy (and Limited) come equipped with premium side sills, premium chrome finish front and rear skid plates, rain sensing wipers and a dual pane sunroof. It’s a large SUV that gets your attention in all the right ways.
Performance
The Palisade is a large SUV but it doesn’t lack for power. A 3.8-liter V6 delivers a healthy 291-horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and while automatic stop start is somewhat noticeable, it can be disabled. My vehicle is also equipped with all-wheel drive and auto leveling rear suspension.
Interior
The Palisade Calligraphy’s interior also immediately impresses with its Nappa leather seats, quilted leather door panels and microsuede headliner.
The well-crafted and designed cabin is user-friendly, comfortable and decked out with high quality trim pieces like satin chrome door handles and soft touch armrests. The designer’s use of various textures works well.
A heated, perforated leather steering wheel with paddle shifters features easy to use controls for various functions including Hyundai’s fantastic dynamic voice recognition system.
An 8-way power seat offers a leg cushion extension along with power lumbar options. The Calligraphy model is equipped with heated and cooled seats in both the 1st- and 2nd- rows, along with dual zone climate up front and separate A/C controls for 2nd-row passengers. The Calligraphy comes with 2nd-row captain’s chairs and rear window sunshades.
The center console does not lack for buttons. You’ll find the A/C controls and below them, a drive mode dial is surrounded by buttons for the brake auto hold, parking sensors, surround view camera, automatic stop start, heated and ventilated seat controls and more.
The Palisade doesn’t lack for cup holders either. There are 14 of them in models with Captain’s Chairs. It also comes with 64-color ambient lighting.
Assist front row door grips make getting in and out easy for passengers who need some extra help.
Technology
The Palisade Calligraphy is equipped with some great technology.
A 12.3-inch fully-digital driver display, that animates and changes colors with different drive modes, includes an available blind spot monitor, which is a great camera system that appears when you use the turn signal.
A 10.25-inch multimedia screen with navigation looks amazing with great graphics and mapping quality. The touchscreen also doubles as a high resolution surround view monitor. The multimedia system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay - but they aren’t the wireless versions in this trim. Other features include HD Radio, SiriusXM, Sounds of Nature, and a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.
You’ll also get a wireless phone charger and 7 USB power outlets. Family-friendly features include Driver Talk in-car intercom and Rear Seat Quiet Mode.
The Calligraphy also comes with an available head-up display.
Utility
One of the Palisade’s standout features is its power 2nd- and 3rd-row seats. Controls in the cargo area make operation a breeze. One-touch 2nd-row power seats give you easy access to the third row. The 3rd-row seats are power folding and reclining well.
A hands-free liftgate opens up to an expansive amount of cargo space with the 3rd row seats down. For comparison, when they’re up you lose some space but still get more room than you do in the smaller 3-row Lexus GX I recently reviewed.
The lineup comes with four 12-volts and the Calligraphy adds a 115-volt outlet.
Ride and Drive
The Palisade feels like a large vehicle because it is, and offers a great, high vantage point of the road. It’s enjoyable to drive and offers a smooth, quiet ride as well as confident braking. However, you’ll definitely need to stay away from any parking space that says “compact”.
Safety
The Palisade comes with a list of great driver assist features that includes Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Warning Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist. The Calligraphy also comes with Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, Front and Rear Parking Sensors and Blind Spot Monitor.
Also, as usual, I was a big fan of Hyundai’s outstanding Highway Drive Assist semi-autonomous driving technology.
Options
Carpeted floor mats are my test model’s only option and run $215, and yes they look great.
What You’ll Pay
The Hyundai Palisade is an exceptional value. You get everything I’ve talked about above for under $50,000 which is pretty amazing.
Verdict
As impressive as the Palisade is, added to the fact it’s such an outstanding value, it’s no wonder it’s so hard to get your hands on one.
- What I Liked Most: Luxurious, well-crafted Interior and power 3rd row.
- What I would change: Improve fuel economy.
- MSRP: Base price $48,390, as equipped $49,830 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 19 city/ 24 highway/21 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 4,693 miles.
- Weight: 4,284 pounds w/AWD.
- Spare Tire: Compact Spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 196.1 long/77.8” wide/ 68.9” hig
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.8 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Official Color: Moonlight Cloud.
- Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds.
- 2022 Hyundai
Palisade: A supremely stylish 3-row SUV that’s an incredible family-friendly ride at an incredible value. - Warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, 7-year anti-perforation warranty.
- Final Assembly Location: Ulsan, Korea.
- Manufacturer's website: Hyundai
