What you get in each 2024 Palisade trim
The 2024 Hyundai Palisade comes in four main trims: SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim builds on the one below it, adding comfort features, safety technology, and interior materials. The SE is the base model with cloth seats and an 8-inch touchscreen. The SEL adds leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. The Limited brings leather seats throughout, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Calligraphy, the top trim, adds premium leather, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and ambient interior lighting.
All trims come standard with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on every trim but is standard only on the Calligraphy. The Palisade seats seven passengers across three rows, with the third row best suited for children or shorter trips.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 Palisade offers four trims (SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy), each adding interior upgrades and technology features as you move up.
- All trims use the same 3.8-liter V6 engine; the main differences are in seating materials, screen sizes, and convenience features rather than performance.
- All-wheel drive is optional on SE, SEL, and Limited trims but comes standard on the Calligraphy.
- The third row is usable for passengers but offers limited legroom; most owners use it for occasional use or children.
- Safety features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping information come standard on all trims, with additional options available on higher trims.
SE and SEL trims: base comfort and value
The SE is the entry point and includes the essentials: cloth seating, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite (forward collision warning, lane-keeping information, and driver attention warning). Dual-zone automatic climate control and power windows and locks are standard. The SE comes with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive costs extra.
The SEL adds meaningful comfort upgrades without a steep price jump. You get leather-trimmed seating (not full leather), a power liftgate, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a power driver's seat with lumbar support. The SEL also adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Like the SE, it comes with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option.
Limited and Calligraphy trims: premium materials and technology
The Limited trim moves into genuine premium territory. Full leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster replace the smaller screens and cloth found below. The Limited adds a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated front seats, and ventilated front seats for summer comfort. The infotainment system gains navigation and a wireless charging pad. All-wheel drive remains optional but is more commonly chosen at this level.
The Calligraphy is the range-topper and the only trim with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. It adds Nappa leather seating, ambient interior lighting with multiple color options, a power-adjustable steering wheel with memory settings, and a Bose premium audio system with eight speakers. The Calligraphy also includes a surround-view camera system that shows a bird's-eye view of the vehicle, useful for parking and tight spaces.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain choices
Every 2024 Palisade uses the same 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. There is no engine option or downgrade available. The V6 delivers 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, which is adequate for a three-row SUV of this size but not sporty. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive reduces highway economy to 24 mpg.
Front-wheel drive is standard on SE, SEL, and Limited trims. All-wheel drive is a cost option on those three trims and comes standard on the Calligraphy. All-wheel drive adds weight and reduces fuel economy slightly but improves traction in snow and on slippery surfaces. For most buyers in dry climates, front-wheel drive is sufficient and saves money at purchase and at the pump.
Safety features across all trims
Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite comes standard on every 2024 Palisade trim. This includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, driver attention warning, and lane departure warning. The SE and SEL add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. The Limited and Calligraphy add a surround-view camera system and parking distance warning.
Higher trims also include adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead and can bring the Palisade to a complete stop in traffic. Blind-spot view monitor, which displays the blind spot on the infotainment screen when you signal, is available on Limited and Calligraphy trims. All trims include multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and hill-start information.
Interior space and seating configuration
All 2024 Palisades seat seven passengers: two in front, three in the middle row, and two in the back. The middle row has the most legroom and comfort; seats recline and slide forward and backward. The third row is best for children or occasional adult passengers on short trips. Legroom in the third row is tight, and headroom is limited due to the sloped roofline.
Cargo space with all three rows in use is 18.5 cubic feet. Folding the third row flat opens up 60.5 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows creates 84.7 cubic feet of space. The power liftgate (standard on SEL and above, optional on SE) makes loading easier, especially when your hands are full or you are parked in a tight space.
Technology and infotainment options
The SE comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, which is small by modern standards but functional. The SEL upgrades to a 10.25-inch screen, a noticeable improvement for visibility and ease of use. The Limited and Calligraphy both get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which is large enough to display maps and controls without squinting. All screens include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to mirror your phone for navigation and music.
Navigation is built into the Limited and Calligraphy but is not standard on SE and SEL; you can add it as an option or rely on your phone's maps app through CarPlay or Android Auto. The Calligraphy's Bose audio system is a meaningful upgrade over the standard system if you spend a lot of time in the vehicle and care about sound quality. Wireless charging for compatible phones is standard on Limited and Calligraphy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a 2024 Palisade with front-wheel drive only, or is all-wheel drive forced on higher trims?
Front-wheel drive is standard on SE, SEL, and Limited trims, and you can keep it if you want. All-wheel drive is optional on those three trims. Only the Calligraphy comes with all-wheel drive as standard and does not offer a front-wheel-drive option.
Is the third row really usable for adults?
The third row works for children and shorter adults on trips under an hour. Legroom is limited, and the seat bottom is lower than the second row, which can feel cramped. Most owners use it occasionally or fold it down for cargo space most of the time.
What is the main difference between the Limited and Calligraphy besides price?
The Calligraphy adds Nappa leather, a Bose audio system, ambient lighting, and all-wheel drive as standard. The Limited has leather-trimmed seats and a standard audio system. If you want the premium feel and all-wheel drive, the Calligraphy justifies the cost. If you are comfortable with the Limited's materials and can add all-wheel drive as an option, you save money.
Does the 2024 Palisade have a hybrid or electric option?
No. The 2024 Palisade is gasoline-only, powered by the 3.8-liter V6. Hyundai does not offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version of the Palisade for the 2024 model year.
What trim should I choose if I want good value without unnecessary features?
The SEL offers the best balance of value and features. It adds leather-trimmed seats, a larger touchscreen, and a power liftgate over the SE without the premium pricing of the Limited. If you do not need the panoramic sunroof or the 12.3-inch screen, the SEL delivers most of what the Limited offers at a lower price.