Some highs and some lows
Hyundai Palisade Review – So Much to Love, but Some Serious Fails
Let me start with the lows, because as much as I love many things about my Hyundai Palisade, there are a few design decisions that deserve a total F-grade.
1. Interior Cloth on the Highest-End Model – F
Whoever decided on the interior cloth material in Hyundai's highest-end Palisade deserves a failing grade. It's absolutely terrible and completely out of place in a vehicle that's supposed to represent the best Hyundai has to offer. Had I known how much I would dislike this material over time, I would have purchased a different trim level. It's that bad.
2. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance System – F Minus
This is, without question, my biggest complaint. The inability to permanently disable or customize the rear collision-avoidance braking system for individual driver profiles is an absolutely horrendous design decision.
I understand the importance of safety technology, but there is a difference between helping a driver and taking control away from one. The system can be unnecessarily intrusive, and forcing drivers to repeatedly deal with a feature they don't want is incredibly frustrating.
This was the number one reason I chose NOT to purchase another Hyundai when I was shopping for a new vehicle in September. Think about that, Hyundai. You lost a repeat customer over a feature that should have been configurable.
3. Low Radiator Coolant Indicator – F
Another incredibly poor design. The low coolant warning system is a frustrating example of how something relatively simple can be poorly executed. A vehicle with this level of technology and sophistication should have a much better solution. Another complete failure in my book.
Now for the Highs – And There Are Some Big Ones
1. Best Bang for the Buck – A+
Hyundai absolutely nailed the value proposition with the Palisade. For the money, it's difficult to find another SUV that delivers this combination of comfort, technology, luxury, and features. You get an incredible amount of vehicle for the price.
2. Interior Space and Design – A+
The use of interior space is nothing short of amazing. Hyundai's engineers deserve enormous credit for how intelligently they've designed the cabin. It's spacious, functional, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out. Every inch seems to have been put to good use.
3. High-End Features – A+
This is where the Palisade truly shines. The number of premium features is remarkable, especially considering the price. In many respects, it feels like a luxury SUV costing substantially more. Hyundai has done an outstanding job delivering a high-end experience without the high-end price tag.
Final Thoughts
The Hyundai Palisade is a vehicle I genuinely want to love without reservation. Its value, interior space, comfort, and premium features are exceptional. Hyundai deserves tremendous credit for getting so much right.
But the things they got wrong are not minor annoyances. They're fundamental design decisions that affect the ownership experience every single day.
The most disappointing part is that Hyundai built a vehicle good enough to earn my loyalty, then made decisions frustrating enough to lose my next purchase.
That's a shame, because with a few relatively straightforward improvements, the Palisade could be nearly unbeatable in its class.
My overall assessment: A+ for value, space, and features. F for several completely avoidable design decisions
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