Today, I’m diving into one of my favorite family SUVs—the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that blends luxury, practicality, and cutting-edge tech, this might be the perfect fit for your family.

If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly The Car Mom, a mom of four and a certified child passenger safety tech. I review cars with families in mind to help you figure out if they could work for you. Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy.

Before you dive in and start car shopping, make sure you’re fully prepared to tackle today’s market with confidence. To learn everything from dealership prep to a complete negotiations strategy, check out my Car Buying Course!

2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Highlights

Top-Tier Trim: Premium features like quilted leather upholstery and exclusive exterior styling.
Family-Friendly Tech: Passenger Talk, Quiet Mode, and advanced safety features.
Luxury Feel: Suede headliner, two-tone steering wheel, and ambient lighting.
Powerful Performance: 3.8L V6 engine with 291 horsepower and smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

Car Seat Setup

Second Row Captain’s Chairs:

Each seat includes lower LATCH anchors and tether anchors, making installation straightforward.
The captain’s chairs provide excellent legroom for rear-facing car seats and are wide enough for most forward-facing options.
Access to the third row is easy with a tilt-and-slide mechanism, though it does not offer a car seat tilt feature.

Second Row Bench Seat:

Two sets of lower LATCH anchors are available in the outboard seats.
The center seat includes a top tether anchor but lacks lower LATCH anchors.
A three-across setup is not recommended due to significant seat belt overlap and limited width.

Third Row:

One set of lower LATCH anchors is located on the driver’s side, shared between the driver’s side and middle positions.
Two top tether anchors are available: one on the driver’s side and one in the middle position. However, the middle tether anchor placement is poorly positioned, making it unusable for car seats.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Exterior

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is all about sleek sophistication. This top-tier trim stands out with its exclusive grille design, chrome accents, and premium 20-inch wheels. The Calligraphy model takes the already stylish Palisade to the next level with chrome rails, chrome door handles, and even faux running boards—all adding to its “iced-out” look.

One of my favorite exterior features is the lighting design. The blinkers light up in a unique pattern that adds a modern touch to the car’s futuristic vibe. Hyundai keeps it classy by not labeling the trim level on the back of the car—so whether you’re driving a Limited or a Calligraphy, it’s all about understated elegance.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy First Row

Hyundai truly excels at interiors, and the Calligraphy trim is no exception. The cabin feels luxurious with quilted leather seating surfaces, a two-tone steering wheel, and textured chrome accents throughout. The suede headliner adds an upscale touch, though it might not be ideal for families with young kids due to potential staining.

Infotainment System Details

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy’s infotainment system is a standout feature that perfectly balances functionality and family-friendly design. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is crisp, responsive, and easy to navigate, offering seamless access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicle settings.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Infotainment System

What I think is really cool is how Hyundai created features that are about making it easier for the driver to communicate. Passenger Talk amplifies your voice through rear speakers for easier communication with kids, while Quiet Mode lowers audio in the back rows for napping passengers. Add in the heads-up display projecting key info onto the windshield, and you’ve got a tech setup that’s as smart as it is practical.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Second Row

The second row of the Palisade offers best-in-class legroom—perfect for rear-facing car seats or taller passengers. After spending a lot of time with the Palisade’s car seat setup, I recommend the captain’s chairs over the bench seat option due to seat belt overlap issues that make three-across setups nearly impossible.

Second-row amenities include:

Sun Shades: Great for blocking sunlight during naps or long drives.
Heated and Ventilated Seats: A luxury feature rarely seen in mass-market SUVs.
USB-C Ports: Conveniently located on the back of the seats for easy access.
Ceiling Vents: Provide excellent airflow throughout the cabin.

Even with the second-row seats pushed all the way back, there’s still plenty of room in the third row—a testament to how well Hyundai has utilized space in this midsize SUV.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Third Row

Accessing the third row is simple thanks to Hyundai’s tilt-and-slide feature on the second-row seats. While it doesn’t offer car seat tilt functionality (a feature I love), it’s still user-friendly with buttons conveniently placed for easy operation.

In terms of comfort, the third row holds its own with reclining seats, ceiling vents, cupholders, and even heated seats—a rare find in this segment! However, there’s one major drawback: tether anchor placement in the third row limits car seat installation options. The driver-side seat has lower anchors and a tether anchor, but the middle seat’s tether anchor is poorly positioned—making it unusable for car seats.

2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Trunk Space

The trunk space behind the third row is decent but not class-leading due to its slightly shorter length compared to competitors like the Toyota Grand Highlander or Mazda CX-90.

However, Hyundai compensates with clever storage solutions:

Underfloor Storage: Adds extra room for smaller items or emergency kits.
Power-Folding Third Row: Easily folds flat at the press of a button for expanded cargo space.

If you’re using all three rows regularly but still need room for strollers or groceries, this setup should work well for most families.

Who Is This Car For?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is an excellent choice for families who value comfort, tech features, and style without venturing into luxury-brand pricing territory. It’s especially suited for:

Families with up to two kids needing rear-facing or forward-facing car seats.
Parents who prioritize second-row legroom and amenities like sun shades and USB-C ports.
Drivers seeking near-luxury touches like quilted leather seating at an affordable price point.

Wrap-Up: The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

Hyundai continues to impress with its flagship three-row SUV, offering thoughtful features and premium touches that make family life easier without breaking the bank. While there are some limitations—like third-row tether anchor placement—the overall package is hard to beat if you’re looking for comfort, style, and practicality in one vehicle.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! If you’re searching for a midsize SUV that blends luxury-level features with family-focused functionality at a competitive price point, I highly suggest checking out the 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy.

What do you think about this updated Palisade? Let me know in the comments below! And if you’re curious how it compares to competitors, check out my recent reviews:

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