7 Reasons the 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium Is Your Next Favorite SUV
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium is taking the midsize SUV segment by storm—seriously, if you’re in the market for a spacious, family-friendly, tech-packed SUV this beast might just be what you’re looking for. With an upgrade to last year's model and a refined style that manages to stand out in a sea of crossovers the SEL Premium trim of the Palisade has been catching a lot of eyes lately. But what exactly makes the 2023 Palisade SEL Premium stand out? Let's jump right in and explore this incredible vehicle’s features and quirks in detail.
Exterior Design and Styling
Bold and Attractive, but Still Sophisticated
The 2023 Palisade SEL Premium comes with a fresh new look. Hyundai’s taken the design up a notch making it a little bolder with more distinct elements compared to its predecessor. The grille is larger and more aggressive with an intricate pattern that seems to shout “Yeah, I’m here!” The LED headlights are sleeker now and seamlessly blend into the front fascia. If you're tired of the cookie-cutter SUV designs out there, this might just be a breath of fresh air.
And let’s not forget about the rims. The SEL Premium trim rocks some 20-inch alloy wheels that look stylish without screaming for attention—unless you’re parked next to some basic steel wheels then you’ll definitely be turning heads.
But, okay, let's address the elephant in the room: its size. The Palisade is big, like really big. So, if you’re planning on taking this bad boy into the city, parallel parking might just become your new least favorite hobby. But hey, that's what parking sensors and cameras are for, right?
The Color Choices – Plenty of Options!
- Moonlight Cloud: A beautiful deep blue that catches the eye.
- Hyper White: Classy and timeless.
- Sierra Burgundy: Bold and adventurous.
You get the idea—there's a little something for everyone.
Interior: A Place to Fall in Love With
A Luxurious Cabin Space Without the High Price Tag
Open up the doors and you’ll immediately notice that Hyundai went all out with the interior design. The cabin of the 2023 Palisade SEL Premium is nothing short of upscale. Soft-touch materials are found throughout the interior, with premium leather upholstery on the seats and a faux wood finish on the dash that screams “Hey, I’m here to impress.” This trim offers seating for seven or eight passengers depending on whether you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Either way, passengers will be in for a treat thanks to the comfortable and supportive seats.
Space and Comfort - A Family’s Dream
With an impressive amount of legroom in both the second and third rows, even your tallest relatives won't be complaining on road trips. And we’re talking 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row—expandable to 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down.
Now let’s not sugarcoat it: The Palisade is a beast to drive through a drive-thru window. You might have to unbuckle just to reach that morning coffee or breakfast sandwich because of the high seat positioning, but it’s a small price to pay for the comfort and commanding view you get.
Infotainment System: Tech That Actually Makes Sense
The Palisade SEL Premium comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s responsive and intuitive. The system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which, let’s be honest, is basically a requirement for any modern vehicle nowadays.
- Bose Premium Sound System: Provides an immersive listening experience for both drivers and passengers.
- Wireless Charging Pad: No more fumbling with cables. Just drop your phone on the pad, and you’re good to go.
- Multiple USB Ports: Up to seven ports throughout the cabin so no passenger is left with a dead battery.
However, one quirky drawback: the system's voice recognition might have a hard time with some accents or complicated names. "Navigate to José's Tacos" could end up taking you to Joe's Auto Repair—but hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
Performance: Not Just a Pretty Face
Engine and Handling - Smooth Operator
Under the hood, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium boasts a 3.8-liter V6 engine that churns out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly whether you're in the city or cruising down the highway. The acceleration feels punchy enough for a family SUV, making merging onto highways and passing slower traffic a breeze.
All-Wheel Drive Option – Because Why Not?
Though front-wheel drive comes standard, you can upgrade to Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system if you’re planning on tackling tougher road conditions. The AWD system is more than adequate for handling wet or slippery roads, but if you’re expecting to take your Palisade mudding, you might want to check out a Jeep instead.
But here's the fun part: the Palisade comes with a drive mode selector that lets you switch between Comfort, Sport, Eco, Smart, and Snow modes. Sport mode genuinely changes the driving dynamics, and it’s almost comical how different the Palisade feels—a bit like your dad putting on running shoes and suddenly feeling like a professional athlete.
Safety: Packed With Advanced Features
Hyundai SmartSense – Keeping You Safe
One of the biggest selling points of the 2023 Palisade SEL Premium is its advanced safety features. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite includes features like:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
The Highway Drive Assist is particularly impressive, allowing for semi-autonomous driving on highways. It maintains a set speed, distance from the car ahead, and can even handle slight steering adjustments to keep you centered in your lane.
A Little Drawback with a Laugh
However, all those beeps and alerts can get a little overwhelming. If you’re the type of person who gets startled easily by all the safety warnings, the Palisade might feel like a clingy friend who texts you every five minutes just to check in—well-intentioned but slightly annoying. At least you know it cares, right?
Fuel Economy: Not Guzzling, But Not Exactly Sipping
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium delivers a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive version. If you go for AWD, expect a minor dip in those figures. For a three-row SUV with a V6 engine, this is pretty reasonable and sits comfortably in line with competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot.
Let’s be real, though—if you’re planning on taking long road trips frequently or are commuting through rush hour traffic every day, those fuel bills will add up. But then again, with the Palisade’s comfort and features, you might not even care. (And hey if you do care there’s always the possibility of carpool karaoke to distract you.)
Driving Experience: Family-Friendly Yet Surprisingly Fun
Smooth Sailing or Zippy and Fun? You Decide.
Driving the Palisade SEL Premium feels predictable yet responsive. It offers a smooth and cushioned ride over most road surfaces, soaking up bumps without feeling like you're floating on a cloud. The steering is responsive for a vehicle of its size, and body roll is well-contained even when cornering—a trait not all SUVs in its class can boast.
Quote from Alex Collantes
"It drives better than you'd expect from a three-row SUV," says Alex Collantes, an automotive enthusiast who’s driven the Palisade extensively. "It’s got that comfortable cruising feel but when you switch to Sport mode it almost feels like it shrinks in size."
Potential Drawbacks: The brakes can feel a bit spongy at times—kind of like stepping on a marshmallow when you were expecting a rock. Not dangerous by any means but definitely something to get used to.
Trim and Pricing: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck
What Makes the SEL Premium Worth It?
The SEL Premium trim is a mid-range option but offers a surprising amount of luxury without hitting the same price point as some competitors. The starting price for the 2023 Palisade SEL Premium is around $44,000 depending on additional options and AWD upgrades. Given all the premium features you get, it’s one of the best-value SUVs in its class.
Standard SEL Premium Features:
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power-folding third row
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
Is It Worth the Price? You Bet.
If you're looking for an SUV that feels premium without needing to stretch your budget into luxury brand territory, then the SEL Premium is definitely worth a look.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium?
The 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium makes a strong case for itself in the crowded midsize SUV market. With its upscale interior, impressive list of features, and family-friendly comfort, it's hard not to fall in love with this SUV. Sure, there are a couple of quirks here and there—the voice recognition that occasionally rebels, the spongy brake feel, and its sheer size—but these are all things you get used to pretty quickly once you realize just how much this vehicle brings to the table.
If you’re looking for an SUV that combines style, comfort, and advanced safety features without demanding a luxury price tag, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade SEL Premium deserves a place on your shortlist.
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