Explore What Makes the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Stand Out
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade makes a strong statement in the midsize SUV category, offering a perfect balance of comfort, advanced technology, and dependable performance. With new features like a hands-free liftgate and memory settings, as well as enhanced safety and entertainment, the Palisade continues to meet the needs of modern drivers.
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade arrives with substantial updates that position it as a noteworthy contender in the competitive luxury SUV market. With its redesigned exterior, enhanced interior amenities, and comprehensive technology suite, the new Palisade aims to provide a premium driving experience without the premium price tag typically associated with luxury SUVs. This model year brings several improvements that address both style and substance, catering to families and luxury-minded drivers alike.
What Sets the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Apart?
The 2025 Palisade distinguishes itself through thoughtful design choices that elevate its presence on the road. The front fascia features a wider, more commanding grille flanked by sleeker LED headlights that create a sophisticated and modern appearance. The vehicle’s profile maintains its substantial proportions while introducing refined character lines that enhance its upscale appeal. Inside, premium materials abound with available Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim accents, and ambient lighting that creates an atmosphere rivaling more expensive European competitors. The attention to detail extends to sound insulation, with enhanced acoustic glass and additional sound-deadening materials creating a remarkably quiet cabin even at highway speeds.
Perhaps most notable is the Palisade’s thoughtful packaging of features across trim levels. Even the base model comes generously equipped, while higher trims introduce luxury touches that were once exclusive to premium brands. The third-row seating area—often an afterthought in many SUVs—offers genuine comfort for adult passengers with easy access and proper headroom.
Infotainment and Connectivity Upgrades
The 2025 model year brings significant technological advancements to the Palisade’s infotainment system. The centerpiece is an expanded 12.3-inch touchscreen with improved resolution and processing speed, complemented by an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that creates a seamless, widescreen digital experience across the dashboard. The system now incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features across all trim levels.
Hyundai has enhanced the user interface with more intuitive menus and voice recognition capabilities that better understand natural language commands. The available premium audio system, developed in partnership with Harman Kardon, delivers immersive sound through 12 strategically placed speakers. For connectivity, the Palisade now features multiple USB-C ports throughout all three rows, wireless charging pads for front and second-row passengers, and an enhanced Hyundai Digital Key 2.0 that allows owners to use compatible smartphones or NFC cards to unlock and start the vehicle.
The BlueLink connected car services have also been expanded to include remote engine start with climate control, vehicle status notifications, and enhanced location-based services that can integrate with the navigation system.
Safety and Performance Features
Safety receives significant attention in the 2025 Palisade with an expanded suite of driver assistance technologies. The Hyundai SmartSense package now includes more sophisticated features like Highway Driving Assist 2.0, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering and can handle stop-and-go traffic situations more smoothly. New for 2025 is an enhanced forward collision avoidance system that can detect and respond to cross-traffic at intersections and a blind-spot view monitor that displays a live camera feed in the instrument cluster when changing lanes.
Performance-wise, the Palisade continues with a refined version of its 3.8-liter V6 engine, now producing 295 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission that has been recalibrated for smoother shifts and improved fuel efficiency. The available HTRAC all-wheel-drive system has been enhanced with new terrain modes that optimize traction in various conditions. Ride quality benefits from a retuned suspension that better balances comfort and handling, with electronically controlled dampers available on higher trim levels to provide adaptive ride characteristics based on driving conditions.
Why Opt for the Palisade?
The 2025 Palisade makes a compelling case for itself through its balance of practicality and luxury. With seating for up to eight passengers and generous cargo capacity (18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded), it serves family needs without compromise. The second-row captain’s chairs option reduces seating to seven but enhances comfort for longer journeys.
The ownership experience extends beyond the vehicle itself with Hyundai’s renowned warranty coverage—5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection—providing peace of mind that exceeds what many luxury brands offer. Additionally, the 2025 model includes 3 years of complimentary maintenance covering oil changes and tire rotations.
For those considering alternatives like the Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander, or Ford Explorer, the Palisade differentiates itself through its unique combination of premium features, distinctive styling, and value proposition that delivers luxury-adjacent experience without the luxury price tag.
Pricing and Trim Options
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is available in four distinct trim levels, each offering increasing levels of luxury and technology features. The lineup starts with the SE as the entry point, followed by the SEL, Limited, and the top-tier Calligraphy trim.
| Trim Level | Starting MSRP (FWD) | Key Features | AWD Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $36,400 | 8-passenger seating, 12.3” touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | +$1,900 |
| SEL | $39,350 | Adds captain’s chairs option, power driver’s seat, heated front seats | +$1,900 |
| Limited | $47,500 | Adds leather seating, ventilated front seats, dual sunroof, premium audio | +$1,900 |
| Calligraphy | $51,400 | Adds quilted Nappa leather, heads-up display, unique exterior styling | +$1,900 |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
Each trim builds upon the previous one with additional features, allowing buyers to find the configuration that best suits their needs and budget. The value proposition remains strong across the lineup, with even the base SE trim offering features that would be considered optional extras on many competitors. The most popular choice tends to be the SEL trim, which hits a sweet spot of desirable features while maintaining a competitive price point. For those seeking a truly premium experience, the Calligraphy trim rivals luxury-branded SUVs costing thousands more.
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade represents a thoughtful evolution of an already successful formula. By combining upscale design elements, advanced technology features, comprehensive safety systems, and competitive pricing, it continues to challenge traditional notions of what constitutes a luxury SUV. While it may not carry a prestigious European badge, the substance of what it delivers—comfort, capability, technology, and refinement—makes it a standout choice for discerning buyers who prioritize value alongside luxury.
