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CHATHAM, Mass. – “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to be Hyundai’s approach to the 2025 Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, the flagship of the company’s sport-utility armada.
Since its introduction for the 2023 model year, the second generation of this three-row larger mid-size SUV (Hyundai also offers the smaller, but still within the mid-size SUV segment, three-row Santa Fe which is seven inches shorter and three inches narrower), the company has changed very little from year to year. Both the 2024 and 2025 models were considered “carry-over” ones, which in the case of the Calligraphy Night Edition, is a good thing.
This is a comfortable, quiet, capable SUV providing many of the advantages of larger SUVs with the value and efficiency of a smaller model. And as the trim level at the top of the food chain, the Night Edition is packed with technology, amenities, conveniences and features to rival vehicles considered premium or luxury, but still maintaining a more reasonable price.
Powertrain provides basis for capability and efficiency story
Hyundai wanted to ensure the capability of the Palisade to transport up to seven passengers and their stuff, as well as a trailer of up to 5,000 pounds, with alacrity but without making the counter on a gasoline pump look like a video screen on a slot machine.
The company fills the engine compartment of all Palisade models with a 3.8-liter Atkinson Cycle gasoline direct-injection, 24-vavle, aluminum block/head V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pounds-feet of torque.
The numbers might seem modest considering the size of the vehicle involved (5,871 pounds) but even after the power flows through the eight-speed automatic transmission and (standard on Night Edition) HTRAC AWD (all-wheel-drive) system, the Palisade is capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in a quick 6.4 seconds. And it does this without the aid of a turbocharger!
The power is there whenever the driver wants it; even under hard acceleration the Palisade’s engine does not feel or sound like it is straining to achieve the above results. Speaking of results, despite the vehicle’s performance capabilities, the Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition I drove (in my usual aggressive manner) achieved 25.4 miles per gallon. This reflects very favorably when compared to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s overall rating of 21 mpg (19 urban, 24 highway).
Platform pieces work
This is a large vehicle. It is not intended as a sporting machine despite the excellent performance provided by the 3.8-liter engine. Having said that, the Hyundai engineers obviously spent time tuning the suspension to provide a comfortable ride for all without any sloppiness in the suspension or steering.
When I pushed it on the curves coming down from the Atlantic Ocean cliffs into the Cape Cod village of Wellfleet, I never felt out of control. The big SUV tracked smoothly, without a lot of steering correction on my part.
The suspension pieces include MacPherson-type struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar up front and self-leveling independent multi-link, separated coil springs and shocks and stabilizer bar at the rear.
The power assisted, anti-lock (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD) equipped brake system features 13.4×1.18-inch ventilated rotors up front and 12x.43-inch solid ones in the rear. The system also lends its capabilities to the standard electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control (TCS), brake assist and stability management.
Unique Night Edition dark-alloy 20-inch wheels dress the blacked-out exterior of this Palisade Calligraphy model. They wear 245/50R20 all-season tires.
Full slate of ADAS
As the top of the Palisade family tree, the Calligraphy Night Edition includes the most comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The list items include forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, safe exit assist, driver attention warning, high beam assist, navigation-based smart cruise control, lane following assist, highway driving assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, surround-view monitor and remote smart parking assist.
In addition, one item not generally listed as ADAS, but one I believe belongs, is the head-up display which projects pertinent driving information, like vehicle speed and road speed limit, blind-spot warnings and navigation instructions, at driver eye level in the windshield. The Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition includes this as standard.
Inside, comfort, luxury and technology fill the large cabin
The premium/luxury touches in the interior start with the seating surfaces, all covered in Nappa leather. The first and third rows are power adjustable as is the mechanism to fold and move the second row (captain’s chairs in the Calligraphy) allowing access to the third row. The first and second rows are heated and ventilated, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel is also heated.
Keeping the up-to seven occupants entertained or informed is the infotainment system controlled by the 12.3-inch color LCD touchscreen. The system features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, SiriusXM satellite radio and sound courtesy of a 630-Watt Harman Kardon® premium audio system with 12-speakers and Quantum Logic Surround® with Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology.
A three-zone — with comprehensive second-row controls — climate-control system allows for customization of the interior’s environment.
There are seven USB ports divided amongst the three rows as well as 14 cup/bottle holders. Additional storage includes bins and cubbies for every passenger, including a two-level front center console, are scattered throughout the interior.
A lot of SUV for the money
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade range features 13 trim levels from the base front-wheel-drive SE starting at $36,800 and extending to the Calligraphy Night Edition, like I drove, at $54,100. In between FWD and AWD models of various standard equipment allow the mid-size three-row buyer who wants significant space, towing and efficiency without having to compromise by buying one of the monster SUVs or having to go to a smaller model. The Palisade offers a sweet spot of room, performance and value.
The interior of the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition is luxurious, attractive, comfortable and roomy for people and their stuff. And at an as-reviewed price of $55,730 (one option, $215 carpeted floor mats, along with the $1,415 inland freight & handling charge), it represents good value in this segment.
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