A New Nose for the 2023 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai had already announced its intention to unveil a slightly redesigned Palisade at the New York Auto Show. The new model, expected later this summer and just in time for the new year, has just made its debut in the Big Apple with a decidedly more convincing face.

It’s mainly at the front that the changes are observed. The new front end has a large grille that reminds us of the brand’s recent utility models (Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and Tucson), but the Palisade’s approach is more vertical, even square. The LED daytime running lights don’t have the same signature, but they contribute to the impression of grandeur up front. Since this is a mid-cycle redesign, the SUV’s silhouette remains unchanged, although new wheels have been added, as has a redesigned rear bumper. Finally, Hyundai is adding an Urban edition that draws inspiration from the other Urban models already offered in the lineup. Like the other “urban” models, the Palisade Urban gets the same darkened treatment (grille, roof racks, wheels, etc.), as well as a more “robust” bumper and rocker panels.

Inside, the cabin retains the same atmosphere as in previous Palisade models. The dashboard is still the same, with a large panel incorporating the central touch screen – which can be up to 12 inches wide – and the digital information screen behind the steering wheel, while the rest of the dashboard is much more linear, with a raised center console. The audio interface has also changed for the new year. Also note the new steering wheel and even the option of ventilated second-row seats. There are also more USB-C ports for faster charging, as well as a faster smart device induction charging pad as well.

Mechanically, the Palisade remains true to the vehicle introduced in 2020. The naturally aspirated 3.8-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 returns to duty, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while the eight-speed automatic transmission and HTRAC all-wheel drive both come standard here.

Hyundai has also refined the all-wheel drive system by adding a mode for towing, which adjusts powertrain responses, extending first gears longer in addition to reducing the frequency of shift response. For other daily tasks, the Palisade also offers Normal, Sport and Smart modes.

The 2023 Palisade also gets a pair of rear side-impact airbags on all of the vehicle’s liveries, a decision that will certainly please rear seat occupants. Of course, on-board safety systems are plentiful with forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, smart cruise control, lane keeping assist, highway driving assist, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist and much more.