2024 Hyundai Palisade Review
I’ve got a great hauler for smaller families on deck today! The 2024 Hyundai Palisade is a car I’m re-touring to see if there have been any changes since my original test drive a while back. I love this vehicle's looks, tech, and overall vibe but the question stands: is it family-friendly?
If you’re new here - welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom and as a mom of almost four (if you missed the life update click here), CPST, and a huge car fan, I can’t wait to walk you through all the features of the 2024 Hyundai Palisade to help see if it’s right for your family.
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2024 Hyundai Palisade Exterior
The Palisade came out a few years back and since then, it’s received a minor facelift to give it that fresh look. I’m walking through the Calligraphy trim level today, so the vehicle will have minor changes depending on what you specifically look into. On this specific trim, the exterior is really cool. I love the more intense chrome in the grill and the boxier lights.
The 20-inch upgraded wheels make this car look expensive when combined with the body design and edges. There are subtle silver elements throughout the body side and back which I think looks nice paired with the glossy hunter green paint.
2024 Hyundai Palisade First Row
Steeping into the driver’s seat of the Palisade, this is where I really fell in love with this car. If I only had two kids, this would be my personal pick for a family car because of all the tech, upgrades, and overall feel of this car. The drive is smooth and I feel very safe in it.
In the Calligraphy trim level, there are gorgeous materials used throughout. I’m talking suede on the ceiling and a faux leather steering wheel that’s very comfortable to hold. The center console is a bridge-like design (it kind of gives minivan) with extra storage underneath and an overall roomier feel in the first row.
On the console itself, you have a ton of nice features including heated and ventilated seats and my favorite cupholders on the market. You can move the size of the cupholder around or hide it completely and close the top.
Infotainment System
The infotainment system is a combination of a digital dashboard and touchscreen. What I really like specifically about this system is the size. It’s not overpowering, but still feels really modern and like I can use everything I need to seamlessly. What I really want to discuss though is the features available in the infotainment system.
When I say this car has it all in terms of tech and features - I mean it. One of my favorites I wanted to share is a blind spot camera that pops up on the dashboard so you can see a real-life view of what is next to you while you’re driving. I wish every single car had this.
We also have seatbelt sensors put right on the dash so you can see who needs to be buckled up correctly. While this feature is starting to become more streamlined, it’s still new so I’m thrilled to see it. When it comes to the daily buckling an unbuckling, this feature will prove to be very useful.
2024 Hyundai Palisade Second Row
I will be honest, the second row of the Palisade is not my favorite for three or more kids. If you just have two, this car should be at the top of your list for a test drive, especially if your kids are older because the legroom is amazing.
I toured a Palisade with captain’s chairs in the second row, so each seat is equipped with its own lower and tether anchors for car seat installation. You can get a bench in the Palisade, but it is only available on the base trim level, or one up. Between me and you, the bench seat sucks. It’s not three- across-friendly and it’s very difficult to access the third row with a car seat installed. Needless to say, I much prefer the captain’s chairs in this car.
Second-row amenities include:
Excellent leg and head clearance
Nice and wide seats
Heated and ventilated seats
Second-row ceiling vents! Huge win.
Sunshades
Two cupholders on the door
USB-C charging in the back of the first-row seats
2024 Hyundai Palisade LATCH Diagram:
2024 Hyundai Palisade Third Row
Let’s talk third-row access. In the car I’m touring today with captain’s chairs, yes there is that center aisle you can walk through that makes third-row access easy. But, I also want to talk about how you could access the third row if you wanted to move either of the outboard seats.
Hyundai uses what I would call a Tilt and Slide third-row access. Although this is not the most car seat-friendly, without a car seat I really like it. The seat itself is very light and responsive so that makes it simple for a child to use it regularly.
As for the third row itself, Hyundai made two crucial mistakes. First, it has quite possibly the smallest middle seat I’ve ever seen. I think the only thing that could fit in that seat is an American Girl doll. Second, the lower anchors go on top of the seatbelt so that means you couldn’t use a booster back here. This tells me Hyundai put the lower anchors in the back to check a box, not actually make a working third lower anchor option.
That being said, if you’re not putting a car seat in your third row, the amenities and space are great. There are even heated seats!
2024 Hyundai Palisade Trunk
There’s not a whole lot to say here. It’s a good size for this type of car, especially if the third row is down. There’s also a little bit of extra storage space beneath the floor. Nothing really to write home about, but it’s not awful.
2024 Hyundai Palisade: Wrap-Up
If I had just two kids, this would 100% be our family vehicle. It’s got amazing tech and first-row features, plus the captain’s chairs in the second row (combined with the amenities) make it great for a family. The third row is not my favorite and I do find it frustrating they threw a lower anchor set back there without making it actually usable, but if you don’t need to install car seats in the back then it’s fine.
What do you think of the 2024 Hyundai Palisade? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest family cars on the market, check out my recent posts:
