Great, But Not Perfect
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stands out in the crowded three-row SUV market as a vehicle that gets so much right. It offers a near-luxury experience with impressive passenger space, a comfortable ride, and a bold design that commands attention. After spending some time with it, I can confirm it excels as a family hauler. However, the experience is defined just as much by a series of small but significant details that feel like unforced errors, keeping it just shy of perfection.
The High Notes: What I Liked
First and foremost, the Palisade is incredibly practical and feels more expensive than its price tag suggests. The exterior styling, particularly the front end, is modern and assertive. Inside, the gray leatherette seats are both stylish and comfortable, contributing to the upscale ambiance. For my family, the three rows of seats are an absolute must, and after experiencing the sheer convenience, I don't think we could ever go back. The second-row captain's chairs are a game-changer, providing easy access to the third row and giving passengers a sense of personal space.
The interior is cavernous, providing ample room for everyone without feeling cramped. The ride quality is exceptionally smooth and composed, soaking up bumps and making both long road trips and daily errands a serene experience. Furthermore, Hyundai’s comprehensive suite of standard safety features is not just a list on a spec sheet; it's genuinely effective. In one instance, the automatic emergency braking saved me from a low-speed impact at a red light when my foot slipped off the brake—a testament to its real-world value. For the price, the level of comfort, technology, and refinement you get is genuinely impressive.
The Low Notes: Room for Improvement
Despite the strong foundation, several persistent issues detract from the overall ownership experience.
1. A Disappointing Sound System
For a vehicle that gets so much right in terms of interior comfort, the audio system is a major letdown. The speakers produce a tinny sound that lacks clarity. While the bass response is acceptable, the mids and highs are consistently muddy. I tested this with multiple sources, including true lossless audio files played directly through the head unit, and no amount of adjusting the EQ settings could clean it up. In a modern vehicle, especially one this well-appointed, a premium audio experience should be a given, and this system simply doesn't deliver.
2. A Busy and Incongruous Rear Design
While the Palisade is a handsome SUV from most angles, the rear design is marred by a specific, questionable choice: the large, silver trim panels flanking the taillights on the liftgate. Instead of adding a premium touch, they make the rear end look overly busy and, frankly, a bit cheap. It’s a small detail, but it’s one you see every time you walk up to the vehicle from behind, and it detracts from an otherwise clean and sophisticated design.
3. The Annoyance of Wires: No Wireless Connectivity
In 2025, having to physically plug in your phone for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay feels archaic. This is a feature that is now standard on many less expensive vehicles, and its absence here is glaring. The constant need to plug and unplug your device clutters the center console with cables and is a genuine inconvenience. It’s a baffling omission in a vehicle that is otherwise packed with modern technology.
4. Frustrating Convenience Quirks
Two minor but daily frustrations have to do with features that should be seamless:
The Engine Auto-Stop/Start: To achieve its fuel economy numbers, the Palisade features an engine auto-stop system. While this is common, the inability to permanently disable it is an annoyance. Having to press a button to turn it off every single time you start the car is a repetitive, unnecessary step in the daily driving routine.
No Walk-Away Auto-Lock: The vehicle has a digital key and knows when the key fob is nearby, yet it won’t automatically lock the doors when you walk away. I get notifications on my Hyundai Bluelink app that the vehicle is unlocked, which is helpful, but it relies on me checking my phone. The peace of mind that comes with a car that simply locks itself is a modern convenience that is conspicuously missing.
The Final Verdict
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade is a compelling option for any family. It succeeds on the big things: space, comfort, safety, and value. However, it's held back by a handful of frustrating oversights. The subpar stereo, questionable design choices, and lack of key convenience features like wireless CarPlay and walk-away auto-lock are persistent reminders of where it falls short.
It’s a great SUV, but with a few thoughtful updates, it could easily be the undisputed leader in its class.
Verified Owner
