A lot of families have found that three-row SUVs provide the best value and best utility. Hyundai, having been named the “2025 Best SUV Brand” by U.S. & World Report, is a great brand to look at any time you want a glimpse into the state of modern SUVs. As we’ve seen a rise in compact and midsize SUVs, it seems that these body types have been sought out by markets previously attracted either to sedans or to full-size SUVs. The Hyundai Palisade, which has received much acclaim since its introduction for the 2020 model year, wouldn’t necessarily be classified as a compact, midsize, or full-size–instead, it is kind of inventing its own category of a three-row SUV (essentially somewhere between midsize and full-size). I think this is perfectly on-brand for modern SUV drivers, as many people want something big but not too big. So, it provides the perfect balance for drivers looking for optimal utility without too much vehicle bulk.
If you’re in the market for a Palisade, you’ve got great taste. That said, the 2025 model year offers a variety of options across three trim packages. Look at the Palisade lineup at your local Hyundai dealer, you’ll see seven trim options. That’s a lot to choose from. While there isn’t a bad option, it’s important to understand what each one offers so that you can maximize the features you want and manage your budget accordingly. So, let’s go through a brief 2025 Palisade Buyer’s Guide to help you navigate your Palisade purchase.
An Overview of the Palisade
The 2025 Palisade is a carry-over from the 2024 model year. As such, if you’ve been following the vehicle up to this point, you probably have relative familiarity with this year’s model. That does not, however, diminish the quality of a new 2025 Palisade, especially after Hyundai has been named “2025 Best SUV Brand.”
The Palisade is a relatively straightforward vehicle to navigate as there are many features that remain the same across all three trim levels. Each 2025 Palisade model offers a 3.8-liter V6 engine, offering up to 291 hp and 262 pounds-feet of torque. Those are strong, capable specs for an SUV in the Palisade’s class, so the vehicle will be able to endure all kinds of drives and provide some thrills along the way. Additionally, all 2025 Palisade models offer a maximum interior cargo volume of 86.4 cu.ft., which is actually a stellar amount for a family vehicle. While the trim options offer varying technology features, each trim is equipped with a 12.3-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen, so there’s really no such thing as a low-tech Palisade. Those are the features you’ll have across the board, regardless of trim selection.
As I mentioned previously, the 2025 Palisade offers seven trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Night. Though the bar starts high, these seven trims provide a nice ladder for drivers to climb up to access better features with each trim level. Navigating trim options is always a nimble game, as the baseline trim will be the most affordable, but the top-level trim will typically have the nicest features, best materials, and the most technology, but will, of course, have the highest price.
So, as you navigate purchasing a Palisade, it’s important to have your priorities mapped out so that you can balance your monetary needs with your vehicle desires. To help with that, I’d like to highlight three trim levels in particular to showcase the Palisade’s range and the features you can expect to find in each trim level: SE, SEL Premium, and Calligraphy.
SE
The SE trim sets the bar high; while it’s a “baseline” trim, it certainly exceeds the concept of a baseline. With eight seats (meaning a second-row bench seat), the aforementioned 12.3-inch touchscreen, and in-vehicle wi-fi, the SE trim starts higher than many baseline trims.
While the interior provides cloth seats rather than the synthetic leather you’d see in higher-level trims, it feels very welcoming and provides a great deal of creative storage space for personal items, making it easy to keep the car tidy. The color touchscreen makes a nice centerpiece, with easy access to navigation and connectivity technology. Overall, the SE provides great value to those looking for a vehicle that’s a cut above and has an affordable price.
SEL Premium
While the SEL and XRT trims, which sit between the SE and the SEL Premium, take things a notch higher with H-Tex-trimmed seats and some flashy cosmetic features, the SEL Premium provides a more passenger-friendly and high-tech option.
As suggested above, the SEL Premium’s interior does provide H-Tex seats, which provides a significant cosmetic bonus. One of the primary features which sets the SEL Premium trim apart is the available seven-seat option. While families with more kids may still opt for the eight-seat option, having second-row captain’s chairs (as opposed to a bench seat) can be much more comfortable for passengers in the second row, giving them room to spread out and have their own space. Not only that, but the rear seats are ventilated (as are the front seats, of course), allowing for heating and air conditioning. The rear passengers will definitely thank you for going with the SEL Premium trim.
The SEL Premium trim also offers some extra safety-oriented technology features, such as a Surround View Monitor (offering drivers a holistic view of the vehicle) and a Blind Spot View Monitor, which assists with visibility while merging. Both of these features are sure to help with trickier maneuvers, especially if you’re towing a trailer. The SEL Premium trim increases practicality and fun with USB ports, a Power Outlet, and even a power sunroof. It definitely is a cut above the trims below it, and the seven-seat arrangement can be a great benefit.
Calligraphy
The Calligraphy trim is the Palisade’s premiere luxury trim. As such, you’ll find heightened cosmetic features with real Nappa leather seats and an exterior premium side door garnish. You’ll find all of the comfort and convenience features we discussed on the SEL Premium trim and more, so you’ll still have the ventilated and heated seats. But you’ll have the benefit of an advanced Ergo-Motion driver seat, which provides great ergonomic support for maximum comfort.
Aside from its heightened cosmetic features, the Calligraphy trim offers advanced driver-assistance features with Remote Smart Parking Assist and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist. Now, when you hear the names of these features, you may assume that it’s a sensor-based technology that makes a beeping noise if you’re too close to an obstacle or something of that nature. This is far more advanced than that. It’s so advanced that the driver does not even need to be in the car to park or retrieve the car. These features use advanced sensor technology so that drivers can park or retrieve the vehicle from outside the vehicle; the car will handle the ignition, steering, and everything else.
The Calligraphy trim is special, no doubt. The price may be higher than the trims below it, but you’re paying for a top-level design with limited driverless capability; it’s hard to find technology more advanced than that.
The 2025 Palisade Continues to Exceed Expectations
The Palisade may look relatively ordinary if you pass it on the road. But what you’ll find inside exceeds expectations and actually provides some highly advanced features. The 2025 model year proves to be the epitome of modern driving with seven trim packages ranging from great to outstanding. Hyundai didn’t receive the “2025 Best SUV Brand” title without earning it; Hyundai continues to prove that it can exceed expectations by providing beautiful luxury design, advanced technology, and capable performance features. That’s a great value proposition for anyone looking for a vehicle, whether you’re from a bustling city or a rural area with open roads. The Palisade perfectly embodies that value proposition, and it’s only getting better by the day.
