Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Hyundai Palisade Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Hyundai Palisade Model Years (Ranked)
The Hyundai Palisade arrived for the 2020 model year and almost immediately became the value benchmark among three-row family SUVs, undercutting the closely related Kia Telluride while offering a plush, quiet cabin and a single proven V6. Because the Palisade is a young nameplate with one engine and one major refresh, ranking it is about picking the right trim, year, and feature set rather than dodging bad engines.
Every U.S. Palisade has shared the same 3.8L Lambda II V6, an 8-speed automatic, and an available HTRAC all-wheel-drive system, so the cars all drive much the same — relaxed, smooth, and quiet, with comfort rather than sport as the priority. That uniformity is good news for used buyers: you are not gambling on an engine lottery, you are simply deciding how much equipment you want and how much warranty you want left.
This ranking sorts the best Palisade model years and trims by reliability, value, and how they hold up in 2027.
Direct Answer
The best Hyundai Palisade model year overall is the 2023 Palisade Calligraphy, the post-refresh top trim that pairs the smooth 3.8L V6 with quilted Nappa leather, a digital gauge cluster, and the cleaned-up styling Hyundai introduced for 2023. The best value is the 2020 Palisade SEL, the launch-year volume trim that now sells used at a steep discount while delivering the same 291-hp V6, eight seats, and most of the safety tech.
There is only one engine across the line — the 3.8L V6 — so every Palisade drives much the same; the choice is really about trim and price. This list is for three-row family buyers who want comfort and value over outright sport.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted six criteria: reliability and recall history (30%), value retained vs. Used price (25%), interior comfort and features (20%), safety scores (15%), technology (5%), and driving feel (5%). We used NHTSA recall data, Consumer Reports and **J.D.
Power reliability marks, and IIHS crash testing. Since the 3.8L V6 is the only engine and has been broadly dependable, the rankings hinge on refresh-year improvements, trim content, and known issues such as early idle/start-stop software complaints and a seatbelt pretensioner recall** that affected some early cars.
We also factored in fuel economy (the V6 returns roughly 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway in rear-drive form, slightly less with HTRAC all-wheel drive), third-row usability, and the resale curve, which has been steep enough that one- to three-year-old Palisades represent some of the strongest value in the three-row class.
Because the nameplate is young, every model year here is recent enough to still carry meaningful factory warranty, which we treated as a tie-breaker between otherwise similar trims.
1. 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 2023 model year brought the mid-cycle refresh, with a bolder grille, new lighting, a redesigned interior, and an available 12.3-inch digital cluster paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Calligraphy trim is the high point: quilted Nappa leather, suede headliner, ventilated front and second-row seats, and a head-up display.
Power still comes from the 3.8L V6 (291 hp) with an 8-speed automatic and available HTRAC all-wheel drive, returning about 24 mpg highway. The cabin is genuinely luxury-grade for the money. Best value within the lineup: the SEL Premium.
Why it wins: the refreshed styling and tech plus the most lavish cabin in the lineup make this the Palisade to own, with the proven V6 underneath.
2. 2024 Hyundai Palisade
The 2024 carries the refreshed second-half styling forward with minor feature shuffling and the addition of an XRT off-road-look trim. Mechanically it is identical to the 2023 — the same 3.8L V6, 8-speed automatic, and HTRAC AWD option — so it drives just as smoothly and quietly.
As the newest used examples, 2024 cars carry the most remaining 5-year/60,000-mile and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Standard safety includes forward collision avoidance, blind-spot view monitor, and highway driving assist.
Why it ranks high: the longest warranty tail and newest tech, just behind the 2023 on value.
3. 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2020 launch year introduced the Palisade and instantly impressed reviewers, and the SEL is the value sweet spot. It carries the same 3.8L V6 (291 hp) as every other Palisade, seating for eight, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a strong roster of standard driver aids.
Because it is the oldest and highest-volume year, clean SEL examples now sell well below newer cars despite offering the same core driving experience. Confirm the seatbelt pretensioner and any early start-stop software recalls were addressed.
Why it's the value pick: the same V6 and space as a new Palisade for thousands less, with recalls easy to verify.
4. 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
The 2022 was the final pre-refresh year and the most refined of the first-generation styling, with the Calligraphy trim added in 2021 carrying over its Nappa leather, suede headliner, and ventilated seats. The 3.8L V6 and 8-speed are unchanged and proven. For buyers who prefer the original, smoother front-end look, the 2022 Calligraphy delivers near-2023 luxury at a lower price.
Highway driving assist and a blind-spot view monitor are included.
Why it ranks here: the best of the original styling with full luxury content, just shy of the refreshed cars.
5. 2021 Hyundai Palisade
The 2021 added the Calligraphy trim to the top of the range and addressed early-car software complaints, making it a more polished version of the launch model. The 3.8L V6 remains the only engine, smooth and dependable, and the cabin stays quiet and well-isolated. Used pricing sits between the cheap 2020 cars and the pricier refreshed years, offering a sensible middle ground with a longer warranty tail than the launch year.
Why it ranks here: a more sorted version of the original with the Calligraphy option, at a fair used price.
6. 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited
The 2020 Limited was the launch-year flagship before Calligraphy existed, adding Nappa leather, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. It drives like every Palisade — quiet, comfortable, V6-smooth — but loads on near-luxury content. As an older top trim it now sells used for far less than its original sticker, making it a feature-rich bargain.
Verify the same early recalls as other 2020 cars.
Why it ranks here: maximum first-year features at a deep used discount.
7. 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL
The 2023 SEL brings the refresh's updated styling and tech to a more affordable trim, with the convenience and premium packages adding most of the desirable features without Calligraphy money. The 3.8L V6 and 8-speed are unchanged. For buyers who want the newer look and a long warranty tail but not the top-trim price, this is the smart mainstream pick.
Why it ranks here: refreshed looks and tech in the value-oriented trim.
8. 2024 Hyundai Palisade XRT
The 2024 XRT adds rugged-look styling cues — dark exterior trim, unique wheels — over the standard mechanicals. It is not a true off-roader, but it brings a distinctive appearance with the same dependable 3.8L V6, HTRAC AWD availability, and full safety suite. It is the newest, so it carries the most remaining warranty of any used Palisade.
Why it ranks here: a fresh look and the longest warranty, for buyers who want something visually different.
9. 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
The 2021 Calligraphy debuted the trim that would define the Palisade's luxury reputation, with quilted Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and ventilated seats. It rides on the original styling but with the most plush cabin of the pre-refresh era. Used pricing makes it a cheaper route to the Calligraphy experience than 2022–2023 cars.
Why it ranks here: the first Calligraphy, with full luxury content at the lowest Calligraphy price.
10. 2022 Hyundai Palisade SEL
The 2022 SEL is the final pre-refresh volume trim, well-sorted after three years of production and offering the 3.8L V6, eight seats, and a strong safety roster. With the convenience package it gains a sunroof, power liftgate, and upgraded infotainment. It sits at a comfortable middle price for buyers who want a proven, recent Palisade without paying for the refresh.
Why it ranks here: a polished, late first-gen volume trim at a sensible price.
How to Choose
Every Palisade uses the same 3.8L V6 and 8-speed automatic, so they all drive much alike — your decision is trim, year, and price. If you want the newest looks and tech, choose a 2023 or 2024. If you want maximum luxury, target a Calligraphy in any year.
If value is everything, a 2020 SEL or Limited delivers the same drive for thousands less. On any early car, confirm the seatbelt pretensioner recall and early start-stop software updates were completed via the VIN. Add HTRAC all-wheel drive if you face snow or rain regularly, and remember that the AWD system is a part-time, on-demand setup tuned for traction rather than serious off-roading.
If you regularly carry seven or eight people, the available second-row bench is the right call; if your third row is occasional, the captain's-chair layout makes the second row far more comfortable for adults.
FAQ
Which Hyundai Palisade year is the most reliable? All Palisades share the dependable 3.8L V6, and reliability has been consistent. The 2021 and later cars resolved early software complaints, making them the safest bets, but a 2020 with recalls completed is also solid.
Is the Palisade Calligraphy worth the extra money? For buyers who want near-luxury content — quilted Nappa leather, ventilated seats, a suede headliner — yes. Used Calligraphy prices have fallen enough to make it a strong value over a new luxury SUV.
Does the Palisade have any common problems? Early cars saw start-stop and idle software complaints and a seatbelt pretensioner recall; verify both were addressed. The V6 powertrain itself has been broadly trouble-free.
How many seats does the Palisade have? Most Palisades seat eight with a bench second row, or seven with available second-row captain's chairs.
How does the Palisade compare to the Kia Telluride? They share the same platform, 3.8L V6, and much of their engineering, so reliability and driving feel are nearly identical. The Palisade leans slightly more luxurious in its top trims, while the Telluride leans rugged; used Palisades often cost a bit less.
Bottom Line
For most buyers, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is the best overall pick, combining the refreshed styling, a luxury-grade cabin, and the proven 3.8L V6. Value hunters should target the 2020 Palisade SEL, which delivers the same engine and space for far less. Because the Palisade has one engine and a clean record, you can buy almost any year with confidence once recalls are verified.
Sources
- Hyundai Palisade — Wikipedia
- NHTSA Recalls & Complaints
- Consumer Reports — Hyundai Palisade
- IIHS Hyundai Palisade Ratings
- J.D. Power Hyundai Palisade
- Hyundai USA — Palisade
- EPA Fuel Economy — Palisade
*Hyundai Palisade model years review — best Palisade years, Palisade reliability ratings, Calligraphy vs SEL review 2027, and a review of the best used Palisade trims.*