Hyundai Palisade CALLIGRAPHY

Highlights

• Ventilated front and second-row seats standard
• 360° camera standard
• 12-speaker premium audio system standard

Summary

This 3-year-old Palisade Calligraphy offers a high-specification family experience with the comfort of Nappa leather and advanced tech typically reserved for luxury badges. With 110,000 km, its mileage reflects the typical high-usage pattern of GCC highway driving, yet the V6 remains perfectly suited for long-distance cruising across the emirates. The white exterior is a top-tier choice for the region, ensuring better heat management and significantly stronger resale demand in the local used market. Positioned as a flagship alternative to premium SUVs, this trim provides a ventilated cabin environment that makes it a highly practical choice for the summer heat. As a Korean-spec model, it features unique luxury touches that offer a distinct feel compared to standard local configurations.

This Car vs Other 2023 Palisades

At 110,000 km, this vehicle has been used as a dedicated highway cruiser, which is common for family SUVs in the GCC. While the mileage is slightly higher than the global average, it aligns with local expectations for a three-year-old vehicle frequently used for inter-city travel. The white exterior color is a major advantage here, as it is the most sought-after color in the regional used market for its thermal efficiency and resale liquidity.

CALLIGRAPHY vs Lower Trims

The Calligraphy trim is a significant step up from the Limited, adding premium Nappa leather upholstery with a quilted pattern and a specialized ergo-motion driver’s seat for long-distance comfort. It introduces high-value features for the GCC like ventilated second-row seats and a 360-degree Surround View Monitor that makes parking this large SUV effortless. You also get the full 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display that are not standard on lower trims.

Palisade vs Segment Rivals

The Palisade leads rivals like the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot by offering a more luxurious, car-like interior refinement and superior third-row legroom for adult passengers. Its 3.8L V6 provides a smoother power delivery for highway overtaking compared to the turbocharged four-cylinders found in many competitors. The inclusion of ventilated seats across two rows gives it a clear edge in cabin comfort during the peak GCC summer months.

Running Costs & Resale

The 3.8L V6 engine is engineered for reliability and runs efficiently on regular 95-octane fuel, with a real-world combined consumption of approximately 11.1 L/100km. Hyundai’s authorized service network is extensive across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, ensuring parts are affordable and readily available. As a flagship trim in a high-demand color, this model maintains a stable depreciation curve, typically retaining more value after three years than its European counterparts.

Performance & Capability

Powered by a 295 hp V6, this Palisade reaches 0-100 km/h in approximately 7.8 seconds, providing confident acceleration for merging onto fast-moving GCC highways. The All-Wheel Drive system features selectable terrain modes, including a dedicated Sand mode, making it capable for weekend trips to desert campsites or soft-sand tracks. With a braked towing capacity of 2,268 kg, it is also well-equipped for hauling light trailers or jet skis for coastal getaways.

Comfort & Cabin

Configured for eight passengers, the cabin is designed for family logistics with power-folding third-row seats and dedicated rear climate zones with roof-mounted vents. The acoustic-laminated glass significantly reduces wind noise during high-speed highway travel, creating a quiet environment for the premium 12-speaker audio system. Ventilated seats in both the front and second rows are essential for GCC comfort, providing immediate relief from the exterior heat.

Safety

This Calligraphy trim comes equipped with the full Hyundai SmartSense suite, including Forward Collision-Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind-Spot View Monitor which displays a live camera feed in the cluster. For long desert drives, the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go reduces driver fatigue significantly. It also features a 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert to ensure safety in busy urban parking environments.

The bottom line

For the large family seeking a luxury-tier cabin and proven V6 reliability, this white Calligraphy is a high-spec opportunity that perfectly handles the GCC climate and lifestyle.

AI insights generated from market expert data. Always inspect the vehicle before purchase.