2025 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai truly excels at interiors, and the Calligraphy trim is no exception. The cabin feels luxurious with quilted leather seating surfaces, a two-tone steering wheel, and textured chrome accents throughout. The suede headliner adds an upscale touch, though it might not be ideal for families with young kids due to potential staining (don't worry the suede headliner isn't standard on all trims!)

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The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's infotainment system is a standout feature that perfectly balances functionality and family-friendly design. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is crisp, responsive, and easy to navigate, offering seamless access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicle settings.

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What I think is really cool is how Hyundai created features that are about making it easier for the driver to communicate. Passenger Talk amplifies your voice through rear speakers for easier communication with kids, while Quiet Mode lowers audio in the back rows for napping passengers. Add in the heads-up display projecting key info onto the windshield, and you’ve got a tech setup that’s as smart as it is practical (trim specific).

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The second row of the Palisade offers best-in-class legroom—perfect for rear-facing car seats or taller passengers. After spending a lot of time with the Palisade’s car seat setup, I recommend the captain’s chairs over the bench seat option due to seat belt overlap issues that make three-across setups nearly impossible.

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Second-row amenities include:

• Sun Shades: Great for blocking sunlight during naps or long drives.
• Heated and Ventilated Seats: A luxury feature rarely seen in mass-market SUVs.
• USB-C Ports: Conveniently located on the back of the seats for easy access.
• Ceiling Vents: Provide excellent airflow throughout the cabin.

Even with the second-row seats pushed all the way back, there’s still plenty of room in the third row—a testament to how well Hyundai has utilized space in this midsize SUV.

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The Hyundai Palisade is a great car for two kids however things get more complicated with three or more carseat aged passengers. The bench on the Palisade is not three-across compatible and the third row is challenging for car seats because of how shallow the seats are (which impacts the overhang of the car seat and leg room in any kind of car seat or booster). The poorly placed LATCH in the third row allows for limited car seat install options. Tether anchors are behind the driver and in the center of the third row.

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The trunk space behind the third row is decent but not class-leading due to its slightly shorter length compared to competitors like the Toyota Grand Highlander or Mazda CX-90.

However, Hyundai compensates with clever storage solutions:

• Underfloor Storage: Adds extra room for smaller items or emergency kits.
• Power-Folding Third Row: Easily folds flat at the press of a button for expanded cargo space.

If you’re using all three rows regularly but still need room for strollers or groceries, this setup should work well for most families.

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