2021 Hyundai Palisade

Every 2021 Palisade trim (SE, SEL, Limited and the new Calligraphy) uses the 3.8L Lambda II naturally aspirated V6 rated at 291 hp. 2021 is the second model year of the first generation (2020–2025) and carries the powertrain over unchanged.

The V6 makes 262 lb-ft, peaking high in the rev range at 5,200 rpm. That trails the low-end pull of turbocharged rivals.

Instrumented tests of the unchanged 2020–2025 V6 Palisade cluster between 6.9 and 7.6 seconds. That is mid-pack for a three-row mid-size SUV.

The naturally aspirated V6 is smooth and quiet, with no turbo lag or hybrid handoffs. It has to be revved to deliver its torque and feels stretched when fully loaded.

The 8-speed torque-converter automatic shifts smoothly and unobtrusively, with no CVT drone. Kickdowns can be leisurely when passing.

The 5,000-lb rating applies across the lineup and matches the segment norm for three-row mid-size SUVs.

HTRAC AWD is available on every trim, with a Snow drive mode and a center-lock function. There is no low range, and the fuller multi-terrain (Mud/Sand) modes arrived only with the 2023 refresh.

The Palisade is a road-focused unibody crossover with about 7.9 in of ground clearance and no skid plates, all-terrain tires or low range. The 2021 lineup has no rugged trim; the XRT arrived only in 2023.

The 2021 Palisade offers a single powertrain, the 3.8L V6 with an 8-speed automatic, in FWD or AWD. There is no turbo, hybrid or plug-in alternative.

The volume SEL comes standard with FWD and returns 22 MPG combined; AWD drops that to 21. Both trail the segment's turbo-four and hybrid rivals.

Both FWD and AWD are rated 19 MPG city, typical of a naturally aspirated V6 three-row SUV.

The 2021 FWD model is rated 26 MPG highway and the AWD model 24.

An 18.8-gallon tank at the EPA combined rating gives about 414 miles for FWD and 395 miles for AWD. Both are adequate for road trips.

At EPA's standard assumptions, fuel costs an estimated $2,900 a year for FWD and $3,050 for AWD. That is among the higher figures for a mid-size gas SUV.

The 3.8L V6 runs on regular unleaded on every trim, with no premium-fuel requirement.

The 2021 Palisade, the second model year of the first generation (launched for 2020, refreshed for 2023), earns a 5-star NHTSA overall rating in both FWD and AWD form; rollover is the typical 4 stars for a tall three-row SUV.

Earned a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Good ratings in small overlap (driver and passenger), moderate overlap, original side, roof strength and head restraints. Held off the top of the band because IIHS's tougher updated side test on the same body rates it Marginal.

Every 2021 Palisade gets Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Driver Attention Warning, but Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist and Safe Exit Assist are withheld from the base SE and start at the volume SEL. That puts a core item (BSM) off the lower trim, the top of the 50-79 band; the 2022 model made them standard across the range.

IIHS rates the standard system Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle testing (avoided collisions at 12 and 25 mph) and Superior in daytime pedestrian testing. No nighttime pedestrian rating was published for the 2021 model year, so it sits at the bottom of the top band rather than higher.

Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist brake actively rather than only alert, and Safe Exit Assist comes with them, but all three are missing from the base SE; they are standard from the volume SEL up. The Blind-Spot View Monitor camera is upper-trim only and there is no trailer-aware coverage.

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist (centering) are standard on every 2021 trim, including the SE, and reviewers generally describe Hyundai's centering as smooth and well calibrated; Autoblog's long-term 2021 Palisade praised its driving assistance.

Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is standard, and Highway Driving Assist (tying ACC to lane centering) is optional on SE and SEL and standard on Limited and Calligraphy. Long-term testers found it effective, but the volume trim needs an option for it, and HDA 2 and navigation-based cruise arrived only with the 2023 refresh.

No hands-free highway driving system is offered on any 2021 Palisade trim; Highway Driving Assist requires hands on the wheel.

IIHS rates the LED projector headlights fitted to every 2021 trim Good, with high-beam assist standard. They are not curve-adaptive, and IIHS noted some glare.

The tall seating position and large side glass give good forward and side sightlines, but thick D-pillars and third-row headrests limit the rearward view, which is typical of the class. Surround View Monitor and Blind View Monitor compensate only on upper trims, and the volume SEL relies on the rear camera.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Acceptable. Three rear positions carry full LATCH hardware (two rated Good, one Acceptable) plus a tether-only position, and wide rear doors with a one-touch sliding second row make multiple car seats workable.

The SE and the volume SEL seat eight on a second-row bench. Limited and the new-for-2021 Calligraphy use captain's chairs and seat seven.

Front headroom is generous for the class without a sunroof. A sunroof became standard on the 2021 SEL and costs about 1.4 in.

Front legroom is near the top of the mid-size three-row class.

Second-row headroom is excellent, and even the third row clears 37 in.

Second-row legroom is among the most generous in the segment.

This is a real third row with 37.8 in of headroom, but 31.4 in of legroom suits adults only on short trips. Power-folding third-row seats and one-touch second-row access are upper-trim or SEL Premium package content.

Cargo space behind the second row is competitive for the class. The 18 cu ft behind the third row holds groceries or a stroller.

Maximum cargo space is solid for a mid-size three-row. It trails the Traverse and Atlas but beats most rivals.

Storage is strong everywhere: a large floating center console with under-bridge storage, an underfloor cargo bin, 16 cupholders and multiple 12V outlets. The 115V outlet is only in the SEL Convenience package or on Limited and up.

Reviewers consistently praise the front seats and the roomy, supportive second row. The SE's 6-way manual cloth seat and the wide console that crowds taller drivers keep it out of the top band.

The volume SE and SEL ride smoothly on 18-in wheels, soaking up potholes without float. The 20-in wheels on Limited, Calligraphy and the SEL Convenience package firm it up over broken pavement.

The cabin is quiet at cruise, with well-suppressed wind and road noise. Acoustic front side glass is reserved for the upper trims, and tire roar rises on the 20-in wheels.

Second-row climate controls and third-row vents are standard, and the volume SEL adds dual-zone automatic climate and heated front seats. Heated second-row seats and a heated wheel need the SEL Premium package, and ventilated fronts come only on Limited and Calligraphy.

MY2021 is the second year of the first-generation (2020–2025) Palisade and a change year that added the Calligraphy trim. The SE FWD opens the range at about $33.9K delivered, a mid-pack entry price for a three-row mid-size SUV.

The SEL is the volume trim, typically ordered with the $1,700 HTRAC AWD option, which puts it at about $38.2K delivered.

The 2021 uses the same 3.8L V6 and eight-speed automatic as the 2022–2023 models, so the new-car 5-year projection should track their Edmunds figure of about $6.6K. CarEdge's model-level number is much lower but counts only routine maintenance.

The 2021 model year benefited from inflated used prices in 2021–2023. At five years, KBB-based values show the SE holding about 60% and the Calligraphy about 56%, while CarEdge's model-level projection is about 51%. The 55% midpoint is sound for the class but trails Toyota's three-rows.

Hyundai's 5-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty beats the 3/36 norm of Honda, Toyota and Ford and tops the band.

The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage tops the band, though it applies to the original owner only.

Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance covers scheduled oil changes and tire rotations for 3 years/36,000 miles. It comes with 5-year unlimited-mile roadside assistance and 3 years of Blue Link. That is multi-year included maintenance the Telluride, Pilot and Highlander don't match (Toyota offers only 2 yr/25k), but it covers basic services only.

$38,200 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (55% retained, or about $21,010) leaves about $17,190 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,600 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $23,790 in total.

2021 is the second model year of the first-generation Palisade and a carry-over year (the facelift came for 2023). J.D. Power rates its owner-reported Quality & Reliability 'Average' at 73/100, U.S. News carries a predicted reliability of 80/100, and an independent aggregator reads it at 61/100. That is solidly average, a notch below the 2022 and well below the Highlander.

Hyundai places above the industry average in J.D. Power's dependability study but is not a consistent top-five dependability brand. The Theta II engine campaigns of the late 2010s still weigh on its long-run record.

Six NHTSA campaigns cover the 2021 Palisade, which is a busy record for the class. They include a park-outside fire-risk recall on the tow-hitch harness module, two separate wiper-failure recalls, a 2021-only contaminated-brake-fluid recall, and fleet-wide seat-belt-buckle and third-row curtain-airbag campaigns. None touches the engine or transmission.

The naturally aspirated 3.8L Lambda II V6 paired with Hyundai's in-house 8-speed automatic is a broadly proven combination, shared with the Kia Telluride. No engine or transmission recall covers MY2021, and the year predates the later ISG oil-pump (2023–2025) and valve-spring (2024) campaigns. It falls short of the high-mileage-proven band.

Reviewers consistently praise the pre-facelift Palisade's near-luxury cabin and soft-touch surfaces for the price, particularly on the Limited. It sits a step below the 2023 refresh, which added richer trim and the Calligraphy grade.

Ulsan-built assembly is generally consistent, but owner-reported quality is only 'Average'. Complaints centre on electrical, wiper and infotainment glitches rather than structural fit, and the 2021-only brake-fluid contamination recall points to a production-quality lapse.

Hyundai's 800-plus US dealers give dense nationwide coverage. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 3-year complimentary maintenance reduce ownership friction, though dealership experience ratings are only average.

Mechanical parts are plentiful and normally priced because the 3.8L V6 and 8-speed are shared with the Telluride and other high-volume Hyundai/Kia models. Repair costs track the mid-size SUV average.

The volume SE and SEL get the 8-in Display Audio unit. The 10.25-in navigation screen is standard on Limited and Calligraphy; the 12.3-in screen arrived only with the 2023 refresh.

Hyundai's interface of this era is logical and quick, with physical shortcut keys and volume/tune knobs. The base 8-in screen looks dated, and the push-button gear selector draws criticism.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are new and standard for 2021 on the volume SE and SEL 8-in screen. The 10.25-in navigation unit on Limited and Calligraphy is wired-only, so the pricier trims lose it.

The volume 8-in unit has no native navigation, so drivers rely on phone projection. The 10.25-in system adds navigation with traffic, and voice control is basic command-style.

A strong 630-W, 12-speaker Harman Kardon system is standard on Limited and Calligraphy and comes with the SEL Premium package. The volume trims' 6-speaker system is ordinary.

The SE has analog gauges with a multi-information display, and the SEL a 7-in LCD between analog dials. The 12.3-in full digital cluster is standard only on Limited and Calligraphy.

There is no whole-vehicle OTA. Map and infotainment updates are dealer or USB-based for the navigation unit, and the volume 8-in Display Audio relied on downloadable software updates.

Blue Link remote start, lock and locate are offered with three years of complimentary service, but not on the SE. There is no phone-as-key, and remote services go to subscription after the trial.

USB charging ports in the first two rows are standard, but all are USB-A. Wireless charging and the 115V outlet need the SEL Convenience package or Limited and up.

Proximity entry with push-button start is standard from the volume SEL; the SE uses a conventional fob. The hands-free liftgate is in the SEL Convenience package and standard on Limited, remote start needs Blue Link, and there is no phone-as-key.

A rear camera with guidance is standard, and front sensors come with the SEL Convenience package. Surround View Monitor and Blind View Monitor are standard only on Limited and Calligraphy.

A head-up display is offered, but only on Limited and Calligraphy, not on the volume SE or SEL.

An eight-seat bench, a 42.4-in second row, LATCH in both rear rows and a standard Rear Occupant Alert make daily kid logistics easy. One-touch second-row slide is upper-trim content, and IIHS rates LATCH ease of use only Acceptable.

The 2021 Palisade is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a 5-star NHTSA overall rating, and AEB with pedestrian detection, lane following and Stop & Go cruise are standard. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance plus Safe Exit Assist skip the SE for 2021 (added there for 2022), and IIHS rates the updated side test only Marginal.

Second-row climate controls, third-row vents, USB in the first two rows, Rear Seat Quiet Mode and a roomy second row make long trips easy. Driver Talk, sunshades and heated rear seats need the SEL Premium package or Limited, and 18 cu ft behind the third row limits luggage with every seat filled.

The smooth V6 and 8-speed have no turbo lag, Smart Cruise with Stop & Go is standard and the front seats are excellent. The push-button shifter and the vehicle's size in tight lots are the daily annoyances.

At 19 mpg city and 21–22 combined on regular fuel, with no hybrid offered, this V6 three-row costs more than most to commute in.

At 196 in long and 78 in wide with a 38.7-ft turning circle, it is manageable rather than easy. Surround view is standard only from the Limited.

A 5,000-lb tow rating, 7-pin trailer prewiring (new for 2021) and 86 cu ft of cargo space handle light work. Modest payload and unibody construction rule out anything heavier.

The naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 and conventional 8-speed are a proven pairing. But the Palisade is a family crossover with upscale interiors and no fleet or hard-use reputation.

Roof rails from the SEL, a port-installed hitch and a 115V outlet in the SEL Convenience package or on upper trims are the only work provisions. There is no upfit ecosystem.

Excellent seats, a quiet cabin and standard Stop & Go cruise with lane following make it a relaxing tourer. Highway Driving Assist is not on the volume trim, and roughly 400 miles of range is only average.

HTRAC AWD with lock and Snow mode, about 7.9 in of clearance, roof rails from SEL and 5,000-lb towing handle gravel roads and campers. The 2021 lineup has no multi-terrain modes or rugged trim; the XRT arrived for 2023.

A 60/40 split third row, sliding second row, an underfloor bin and roof rails swallow bulky gear well. Maximum volume is good rather than class-leading, and power third-row folding needs the SEL Premium package or Limited.

It is secure and well controlled, with little body lean in sweeping curves and grip around the class average. It never feels nimble.

Steering is precise and well weighted for a big crossover but offers little feedback.

The brakes bite strongly and modulate well, with stopping distances around the class average.

The naturally aspirated V6 and 8-speed are smooth and linear. Low-rpm punch is lacking, since peak torque arrives at 5,200 rpm, and kickdown can be leisurely.

The V6 is near-silent at idle and cruise. It grows audible but not intrusive at full throttle.

The turning diameter is typical for a mid-size three-row SUV.

The view is commanding, physical controls are logical and the SEL's 8-way power seat adjusts well. The SE's manual seat, the wide console that crowds taller drivers and the slow push-button shifter cost points.

It is pleasant, competent and refined, but nothing about it invites the long way home.

The 2021 SE has a 291-hp V6, eight seats, LED headlights (standard across the range for 2021), Smart Cruise with Stop & Go, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping, Rear Occupant Alert and 7-pin trailer pre-wiring. It is generous for about $34K, though the SE uses the 8-in screen and blind-spot collision avoidance did not become standard on the SE until 2022.

About $38K buys a well-equipped AWD three-row with a V6. The new Calligraphy gives a near-luxury quilted-leather cabin for under $50K delivered, below comparably equipped Highlander Platinum and Explorer Platinum. The warranty and 3 years of free maintenance add value Honda and Toyota don't match. Supply tightened in the second half of 2021, which eroded some of that on-paper value.

Four trims (SE, SEL, Limited and the new Calligraphy) each come with FWD or $1,700 HTRAC AWD and seven- or eight-seat layouts. The gaps are a roughly $10K jump from the SEL to the Limited, the Limited and Calligraphy sitting under $1K apart, and a single 3.8L V6 with no hybrid option.

Palisade sold 86,282 units in calendar 2021, up on its 2020 debut year despite second-half chip-shortage constraints. That is strong upper-tier volume for a two-year-old three-row nameplate, though below the Highlander and Explorer.

Hyundai's image was rising on design, warranty and value, and the Palisade's upscale cabin helped lift it. The score sits at the upper end of neutral because Hyundai still lacked Toyota and Honda's default-choice standing and residual advantage.

Early in the 2021 model year some modest financing offers were still around, but from mid-2021 the semiconductor shortage thinned inventory, cut incentives and brought dealer markups on hot three-rows like the Palisade and Telluride. A typical 2021 buyer paid close to or above MSRP.

MY2021 is the second year of the first generation (2020–2025), with the new Calligraphy trim and added standard content. The platform and tech were current, and the 2023 facelift was still two years off.

Reviewers praised its upscale cabin, quiet ride and value, and the 2021 holds Car and Driver Editors' Choice and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It falls short of the top band because its Kia Telluride twin usually won head-to-heads and took the 10Best and 2020 World Car of the Year honors.