What Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Introduced last year, the Hyundai Palisade is a three-row SUV related to the Kia Telluride. Long on value and technology, the Palisade seats seven or eight, depending on whether there are captain’s chairs or a bench seat in the second row.
Power comes from a 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine that works with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Competitors include the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.
What’s New on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
LED headlights and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are newly standard. Hyundai also upped the luxury ante with the addition of a top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim level that adds unique 20-inch alloy wheels, a different grille design, puddle lamps, quilted-leather door panels, a microfiber headliner and a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel.
What Features in the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Cloth upholstery
- 8-inch multimedia system
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-keep assist
Available features include:
- Panoramic moonroof
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Power-folding third row
- 10.25-inch screen with navigation
- Harman Kardon premium stereo
- 360-degree camera system
- Head-up display
- Wireless device charging
- Fully digital instrument panel
- Blind spot warning
2021 Hyundai Palisade Vs. 2021 Ford Explorer: How Do They Compare?
The Hyundai Palisade and Ford Explorer are both spacious family SUVs with three rows of seats and plenty of standard safety features. The Palisade has the more luxurious interior of the two, but the Explorer offers more powertrain choices, including a 400-hp V-6 and a hybrid drivetrain.
Should I Buy the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
The Palisade packs a lot of value, offering plenty of technology, safety features and upscale amenities. We liked it so much we named it our Best of 2020 award winner in its debut year. Third-row space is limited, however, and we did deal with an unpleasant interior smell during our Palisade ownership.
