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2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Review: Premium Feel, Smart Value

The Hyundai Palisade has been turning heads since its debut, and the 2025 Calligraphy trim takes the brand’s flagship SUV to even greater heights. Building on the solid foundation of the 2024 model, Hyundai has added thoughtful enhancements and retained the features that made its predecessor a standout in the midsize three-row SUV segment.

What’s New in 2025?

While the overall design and drivetrain remain familiar, the 2025 Palisade Calligraphy introduces refinements that make an already impressive SUV feel even more polished. Most notably, the driving dynamics have been subtly sharpened with a more engaging Sport mode. This mode doesn’t just tweak throttle response—it transforms the driving experience. Once engaged, the driver’s seat gently tightens its bolsters, giving a snug, performance-oriented feel. The throttle sharpens noticeably, making highway merges and passing maneuvers more satisfying.

Performance & Power

The 2025 Palisade continues to be powered by Hyundai’s proven 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering very good power with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a sports car by any stretch, but it’s more than adequate for the segment, providing confident acceleration even with a full load of passengers. That said, paddle shifters are included but remain a weak point—their delayed response during both upshifts and downshifts leaves something to be desired, particularly in spirited driving.

Tech & Interior Comfort

Hyundai has long been a leader in packing tech and premium materials into its vehicles at an aggressive price point, and the 2025 Calligraphy is no exception. The interior is arguably best-in-class at this price, rivaling luxury brands in design, materials, and features. Soft-touch surfaces, quilted Nappa leather, and ambient lighting create a genuinely upscale ambiance.

One standout new feature is the blind-spot indicator now integrated into the Head-Up Display (HUD), supplementing the already excellent blind spot view cameras displayed in the driver’s cluster. It’s a smart safety touch that boosts driver confidence in lane changes and highway driving.

Hyundai also continues to win points for usability. There are hard buttons for essential functions, including a dedicated camera view button—a feature that’s often buried in menus in competitors’ systems. And unlike many SUVs in this class, the third-row seats are fully powered, with the ability to raise and lower them at the touch of a button—no manual wrestling required.

Tech Quirks

For all the tech-forward thinking, there are a couple of curious omissions. Chief among them: the continued lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, despite widespread availability in less expensive Hyundai models. This remains a head-scratcher and a minor but notable frustration for buyers expecting full wireless convenience.

Pricing & Value

Perhaps the biggest story here is price. The 2025 Palisade Calligraphy, as tested, comes in at $54,700, with destination, Hyper White Paint ($470) and Carpeted Floor Mats ($215)—a strong value considering the luxury-level interior, robust tech suite, and premium features packed in. When compared to similarly equipped rivals from Honda, Toyota, or even entry-level luxury brands, the Palisade continues to undercut them in price while matching or exceeding them in features.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy refines what was already one of the best values in its class. With a more engaging drive, exceptional comfort, thoughtful tech, and premium appointments, it confidently blurs the line between mainstream and luxury. While its paddle shifters remain sluggish and the lack of wireless CarPlay is puzzling, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise outstanding package. For families or anyone seeking a luxurious, feature-rich SUV without breaking the bank, the Palisade Calligraphy remains a top-tier choice.