Lap of Luxury for the Budget Minded Tested: 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

By William Jinkins

What’s New:

The U.S. spec Calligraphy comes with a relatively modest set of improvements compared to the Limited model. Among them are all-wheel drive, trim-exclusive front and rear light signatures (including ultra-wide high-mounted brake lights at the rear, which seems desirable), a special grille trim, leather steering wheel, blanket leather door panel, and 20-inch wheels.

Pros:

Not as small as a mid-size SUV, but more in line with a full-size without the excessive bulk.

Cons:

Though there may be more in inventory to choose from now, the Palisade is still a highly desirable vehicle which can sometimes command over sticker. Still lacks a power adjustable steering column - a severe miss for a vehicle of this caliber. No fold-in power side mirrors as well.

Hyundai continues to amaze the motoring public with state-of-the-art models, branching out into higher ground with vehicles that now rival Honda and Toyota - and now it’s going for the jugular with the premium brands. So, the Palisade continues with last year’s mid-model luxurious Calligraphy package, as well as a new VIP trim package. There’s revised styling features such as a new fascia and body cladding, but the story is inside. In fact, the Calligraphy Palisade is one of the most luxurious SUV for the money.

With a figure just a smidgen under $50k, its luxury division Genesis GV80 SUV can top out more like $70,000, so there’s some separation between the two (Think Toyota vs. Lexus). However, you still get one of the best warranties available, basic at 5-year/ 60,000 miles, powertrain at 10-year/100,000 miles, in addition to 3-year/36.000 mile complimentary maintain contract.

In addition to last season’s new Calligraphy trim, Hyundai has made several refinements overall for the 2022 model year. For the most part, this is summed up by the greater availability of features across the range. Wireless smartphone connectivity, HD radio, and multiple device connection capabilities have been added to SE models and above for vehicles without navigation.

With a starting MSRP of just under $32,000 the Hyundai Palisade makes a convincing case for itself in the mid-sized SUV segment. When compared to a Ford Explorer, Palisade costs considerably less, especially the Explorer Platinum to the Calligraphy. Even thew brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L can fetch close to $70 grand.

Optioning with the middle trim level (SEL) still leaves the Palisade costing less than the base Ford Explorer XL. And despite much of the fancy tech only being standard on higher trim levels, base models still include plenty of cutting-edge features, particularly on the safety front where Hyundai does not lack on the standard features.

LED headlights are now standard, and cell models up now get sunroof lights and LED map interiors. Finally, many of the features on last year’s Drive Guidance plan have been integrated into the Premium plan. Models with the Premium plan also get new headliners.

The Hyundai Palisade is offered in four trim levels with the SE representing the base trim, the SEL and Limited covering the mid-level and the Calligraphy at the top.

The base SE is offered with a ton of standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, projector beam headlights with LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights with high-beam assist, an 8-inch color touch screen housing the sound system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands free wireless audio streaming, a rear-view monitor with parking guidance and 2nd and 3rd row HVAC vents with separate controls for the 2nd row.

Hyundai also includes their smart cruise control system which features stop and go systems as well as a lane follow assist feature, meaning the car will speed up and slow down with traffic while essentially doing much of the work of keeping the car pointed in the correct direction. It's a fantastic system for reducing driver fatigue on longer drives. And since the feature uses many of the same sensors, Hyundai even offers forward collision avoidance system as standard on the base SE.

The SEL costs just a couple of thousand dollars more than the SE but adds an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, front and rear dual automatic temperature controls, a proximity key with push button start and a blind spot collision avoidance assist system.

Opting for the Limited trim gets buyers impressive 20-inch wheels, a heads-up display projected onto the windshield, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display cluster, a dual panoramic sunroof, premium Nappa leather seating surfaces and Hyundai's Blind View Monitor system which will display video from a side mounted camera on one of the car's screens any time a blinker is activated. The Limited also receives LED headlights, LED taillights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the included navigation system, a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium sound system with 12 speakers, heated and vented 2nd row seats, power folding, unfolding and reclining for the 3rd row of seats and puddle lamps that are projected from under the side mirrors.

The Calligraphy trim tops the lineup and comes with "HTRAC" all-wheel drive as standard, exclusive front and rear lights, a plastic trim brushed chrome-like specific grille, quilted leather door panels and 20-inch multi-spoke alloys. In addition to the Calligraphy unique grille, it receives a cladding body color, as well as new colors are also part of the increase. There’s also a fake silver skid plate.

Exclusive may be just what Hyundai is doing, for the Palisade has been a huge hit for the brand, with half of the buyers admitting they had never considered owning a Hyundai beforehand. The vehicle’s main selling point is its ability to deliver style and luxury at a very achievable price. Hyundai designers have done an admiral their job of standing up to the luxury brands, domestic as well as import.

The front doors are specially decorated, as are the taillights. Hyundai gives the Calligraphy edition a new rear lighting mark with an ultra-wide LED center high-mount stoplight. There are also exclusive puddle lights for doors.

Designers went all out to deliver features found in more high-end luxury vehicles. Nappa leather upholstery and door panels have a blanket-stitching pattern and rich details. Ambient lighting is everywhere in the cabin, highlighting the beautiful texture inside.

The fully digital instrument cluster is 12.3 inches but not intrusive. The steering wheel is perforated leather as well as heated, and there is a head-up (HUD) feature along with rear sunlight. Adding the VIP package gives passengers an Uber Black limousine ambiance with two individual middle row seating. Among this row is a console with a cup holder that can cool or heat its contents. Add air purifiers, wireless phone chargers, and an entertainment system with a separate screen for each passenger. The entertainment system also routes sound to the headrest “wing type” that puts the sound right in the passenger’s ear.

The interior is equipped with quilted door panels, microfiber suede headliners, perforated leather steering wheels, and luxury cargo sill protection plates that seem to be more at home in Hyundai’s new Genesis luxury brand than a mainstream three-line SUV.

This exclusive Calligraphy feature mixes with all the Limited model’s luxuries, including Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated heating and seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster.

All versions are powered by the same engine, a 3.8L V6 that makes 291 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic, though all-wheel drive is an option across the entire range. It has no issues getting up to highway speeds reasonably quickly and never feels underpowered in any sort of normal driving. EPA fuel rating is 19 city/ 24 hwy. Towing capacity has been increased to 5,000 pounds.

The new Exclusive and Lower Prestige models come with more standard equipment than the previous year’s Palisades. Second and third-row passengers will find it easier to have a conversation with the driver, since there’s an intercom system for easy communication among all passengers. The base model has a 10.25-inch infotainment system with GPS as standard. These models already have a self-leveling rear suspension.

In a three-row seating group, Hyundai’s sister Kia Telluride matches the Palisade in several ways, though the Telluride seems to appeal to millennials than boomers. But the rivalry between the two is a fierce one. For Hyundai to keep its distance from the Genesis GV 80 SUV at the top end, it packs a lot of the luxury expected in the Genesis. To that end, we may not see Palisade VIP packages in the US. Of course, Hyundai has not officially announced it will come here at all.

The SE model starts at $33,665. For cell trim, you can expect to pay at least $36,315. Limited runs from $46,265, while the Calligraphy model topped its range at $48,890. My Moonlight Cloud (dark metallic blue) tester had an out the door sticker of $49,830, which included $215 for carpeted floor mats and $1,225 in designation charges.