by Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: A flagship SUV that challenges the premium class
In recent years, Hyundai has been creating cars that significantly exceed brand expectations. The new Palisade is a clear confirmation of this. If the previous generation Santa Fe was compared to a Range Rover, the new Palisade can be considered an analogue of the flagship Range Rover Autobiography, offering more power and an even more luxurious interior.
We tested the Palisade in the top-end Calligraphy trim, and it truly impresses. It looks as convincing as a Range Rover but costs significantly less.
Quick Facts about the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
In Australia, the new Palisade is offered in three versions: eight-seat Elite, eight-seat Calligraphy, and seven-seat Calligraphy (the one we tested). The price for the seven-seat Calligraphy version starts at AU$99,390 (about $70,900). For comparison, a real Range Rover Autobiography in Australia costs approximately AU$313,000 ($225,000). In the US, the Palisade Calligraphy starts at $54,560.
All Australian versions are equipped with the same hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain. It consists of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (192 kW / 257 hp) and an electric motor, delivering a combined 245 kW (328 hp) and 460 Nm of torque. In the US, a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with 214 kW (287 hp) is also available.
The Best Hyundai Interior?
The new Palisade, along with the Ioniq 9, has the most luxurious interior among all current Hyundai models. The dashboard is tall and massive, housing two 12.3-inch displays. Unlike the Santa Fe and Ioniq 9, where the screens are positioned on top, here they are integrated into the panel, giving the interior a more premium look.
Below the central display are the air vents and large shortcut buttons, including one for switching drive modes. On the left are buttons for the hill descent assist, parking sensors, and cameras. While physical buttons are better than touch-sensitive ones, these can be awkward to reach while driving.
Between the front seats is a massive center console with a wireless charger, cupholders, and three 100W USB-C ports. It also features a UV-C sterilization system that kills 99.9% of germs on small items in 10 minutes.
The front seats are excellent: they have heating, ventilation, and multiple massage modes. A two-tone Nappa leather steering wheel, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, and two sunroofs complete the feeling of luxury.
Luxury for All Passengers
The infotainment system software is simple and user-friendly, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test car was a seven-seater, so instead of a rear bench, it had two separate captain’s chairs with armrests. They are power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, making them ideal for long journeys.
Even the third row of seats can comfortably accommodate adults. Access is gained by pressing a button that slides the captain’s chairs forward. The outer seats in the third row have heating and additional charging ports. Cargo volume is 300 liters with the third row up, 712 liters with the third row folded, and 2,081 liters with both the second and third rows folded.
Power for a Large SUV
Hyundai could have equipped the Palisade with the same 1.6-liter hybrid as the Santa Fe, but it didn’t. Instead, the new 2.5-liter turbo hybrid is much better suited for such a large vehicle. It propels the Palisade to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds, which is impressive for a vehicle weighing up to 2,294 kg.
The downside of the larger engine is that it is not as quiet as the 1.6-liter. The four-cylinder engine can be quite loud on startup, though this is not a critical flaw. While driving, the powertrain works excellently, providing instant power from the electric motor and an extra boost from the gasoline engine. However, there is a slight delay when releasing the accelerator pedal.
The Palisade Calligraphy’s chassis is superbly tuned. Despite having passive suspension, the car absorbs bumps excellently without feeling floaty like some competitors (e.g., the Mazda CX-90). After going over speed bumps, the suspension stabilizes quickly.
Of course, the Palisade isn’t built for fast corners due to significant body roll, but this is expected for such a vehicle. Sound insulation is excellent thanks to dual-laminate acoustic glass. During testing, average fuel consumption was 8.0 L/100 km, slightly higher than the claimed 6.8 L/100 km, but still very good for such a large vehicle.
In the city, the Palisade feels large, although its turning circle (11.94 meters) is relatively small. It lacks a rear-wheel steering system for better maneuverability.
Verdict
Hyundai has created a large family SUV that can compete with much more expensive models. The Palisade is arguably the best car for large families in the brand’s current lineup. If you don’t need an electric vehicle, it is a better choice than the more expensive Ioniq 9. Its interior is just as luxurious, and the hybrid powertrain will suit a wider range of buyers. It also outperforms rivals like the Mazda CX-90 and Toyota Grand Highlander, and is one of the few vehicles in its segment that gives you a special feeling while driving.
However, it is worth noting that while the Palisade Calligraphy feels like a premium vehicle, it is still a Hyundai. This means some minor drawbacks, such as the accelerator pedal lag or the lack of adaptive suspension, may be noticeable to discerning buyers accustomed to true German or British flagships. However, given the significant price difference, these compromises seem entirely justified. The Palisade offers 90% of the luxury and comfort for half, or even a third, of the cost of its competitors, making it an extremely attractive proposition in the large SUV market.
Photos: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
