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Some 2025 Hyundai Palisade models (particularly higher trims like the Calligraphy) feature an Ergo Motion Driver’s Seat designed to automatically adjust and provide lumbar support or massage to reduce fatigue, especially on longer drives. This can be a delightful surprise. Or, in my case, a slightly unwanted one. With my family of five, I took the 2025 Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition AWD on a five-day test drive from Charlotte, NC, to Hilton Head Island. It was a serene, comfortable drive in one of the most upscale and practical three-row SUVs Hyundai has built to date. But this seat—this smart, well-intentioned Ergo-Motion seat—kept poking me like it had something to say.
As we headed down I-77 for our roughly four-hour trip, the massage lumbar support would activate on its own. It was pleasant, sure, but sometimes you just don’t want someone kneading your back when you’re focusing on lane changes and GPS prompts. The feature would run its roughly three-minute course and stop. I assumed it was baked into the vehicle’s design. As the Palisade was new to me and I was solely conducting a test drive, I didn’t know how to turn it off, so I lived with it for half the drive down and for a couple of days in Hilton Head.
Then one morning, adjusting my seat after a beach outing, I noticed a small switch by the lower seat edge and realized: this tiny toggle was the massage start/stop button. After poking around in the infotainment system, I discovered the seat had a 30-minute timer and adjustable settings via the menu: Setup > Vehicle > Seat > Ergo-Motion Seat. That was a relief. I finally had control over the little gremlin massaging me at random intervals.
That small hiccup aside, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade proved to be an outstanding road trip companion. Here’s what stood out during my weeklong journey in the Calligraphy Night Edition AWD.
Exterior: Sophistication with a Dark Edge
The Calligraphy Night Edition is the most visually distinctive trim in the 2025 Palisade lineup. Hyundai blacks out nearly everything—grille, roof rails, window trim, and wheels. My tester came with a deep Abyss Black paint, which really completed the stealthy look. It drew attention from SUV-savvy onlookers in gas stations and beach parking lots. One driver in a Toyota Highlander rolled down his window to ask me what it was.
Hyundai has slowly turned the Palisade into a brand ambassador—something I touched on in my recent piece on why Hyundai is being called the best SUV brand for 2025. And the Calligraphy Night Edition adds swagger to that growing reputation.
Engine, Power, and Transmission
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade still uses the proven 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. No hybrid yet (we’ll likely have to wait until 2026 for that), but this naturally aspirated V6 holds its own. Merging on highways and overtaking on rural roads around Hilton Head was never an issue. The power delivery is smooth, and the 8-speed shifts confidently.
Fuel economy came in at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway). For a 3-row AWD SUV that was loaded with gear and passengers, this was respectable. In fact, it reminded me how Hyundai’s SUV sales are giving it a “beautiful problem” in the market.
Interior, Comfort, and Touchscreen Experience
Where the Palisade Calligraphy Night truly shines is on the inside. Nappa leather seats, suede headliner, massaging driver seat (when you want it), and ambient lighting that rivals some German luxury SUVs. The seats are wide, plush, and supportive – even the third row wasn’t too punishing for teenagers.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen integrates seamlessly with the digital gauge cluster. Navigation, climate control, and even seat settings are easy to find. One small disappointment: no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Hyundai still insists on a USB connection for those features in its largest SUV.
But ergonomically, it’s a breeze. The steering wheel controls are intuitive. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon system fills the cabin with crisp sound, though true audiophiles might still crave a bit more bass depth.
2025 Palisade’s Road Handling and Ride Quality
Suspension tuning in the 2025 Palisade feels dialed in for American roads. Soft enough to absorb the bumps on I-95, firm enough to prevent body roll on tighter corners. The AWD system adds confidence, especially in the rain we encountered on the way back to Charlotte.
I appreciated how easy it was to maneuver the Palisade around Hilton Head’s tighter resort roads. The surround-view 360-degree camera system and front/rear sensors made parking stress-free, even in dimly lit areas at night. The Highway Driving Assist kept the vehicle centered and gently adaptive to traffic, another reason this SUV belongs in the shortlist of best family SUVs for 2025.
Palisade’s Cargo and Practicality
Cargo space behind the third row is usable, though not generous. Once you fold the third-row flat, however, the space expands dramatically. For our family of five, it was enough, but just barely. If you consistently haul gear, strollers, or sports equipment and need more cubic feet, you’re either looking at a roof box or stepping up to a full-size SUV like an Escalade IQ.
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For what it is, the Palisade is practical. You get cupholders galore, USB-C ports in every row, rear climate control, and under-floor storage. I even noticed the middle-row seats recline and ventilate, something usually reserved for only top-tier luxury haulers.
Pricing and Trim Walk
The Calligraphy Night Edition AWD sits at the top of the Palisade range. My tester came in at $56,200, with every feature Hyundai could throw into it. For perspective, the base SE trim starts in the low $40Ks, and the new SEL Premium sits in the mid $40K range.
For the extra money, the Calligraphy Night Edition gets you premium upholstery, enhanced sound deadening, Ergo-Motion seat, ambient lighting, rear digital camera mirror, and darkened exterior elements. If you value luxury features and visual distinction, it’s worth the splurge.
Still trying to decide between a Palisade and a competitor like the Subaru Ascent? I recently compared the two in detail—here’s which one came out on top.
Cost of Ownership of Hyundai Palisade: What You Can Expect After You Drive Off the Lot
The Palisade may have a near-luxury interior, but its ownership costs lean toward mainstream territory. Here’s what stands out:
1. Fuel Economy
- EPA estimated 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway) for AWD trims.
- Real-world trip test (Charlotte to Hilton Head and back) confirms this number is accurate for family-laden travel.
2. Warranty Coverage
- One of the most generous in the segment:
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper
- 3 years/36,000 miles complimentary maintenance
3. Depreciation
- Palisade retains value well compared to rivals, thanks in part to Hyundai’s recent reputation surge.
- The Calligraphy Night Edition is highly sought after on the used market, which may reduce depreciation over the first 3 years.
4. Service Costs
- Average annual maintenance: around $515–$620, according to Edmunds and RepairPal.
- No major known reliability issues with the 3.8L V6 or 8-speed transmission.
Hyundai’s value-packed trims and long warranty help it shine when it comes to long-term ownership costs. It’s part of the reason why Hyundai is earning recognition as the best SUV brand for 2025.
Top Rivals in the 3-Row Family SUV Segment
Before buying, many shoppers compare the Palisade to at least 2–3 competitors. Here’s how it stacks up against its closest rivals:
1. Kia Telluride
- Same platform, slightly boxier styling.
- Some prefer Telluride’s more rugged design, but the Palisade’s interior often feels more upscale.
- Price and powertrain nearly identical.
2. Toyota Highlander
- Available hybrid option with better fuel economy (up to 36 MPG combined).
- Less luxurious interior in similarly-priced trims.
- Smaller third-row space and less cargo room.
3. Honda Pilot
- Roomier third row.
- Handles well but has a more utilitarian interior.
- Lacks the luxury feel of Calligraphy Night trim.
4. Subaru Ascent
- Standard AWD and top safety scores.
- Turbocharged engine offers strong torque.
- Less refined cabin and infotainment compared to Palisade.
For a detailed side-by-side, check out our deeper dive into which is better between Hyundai Palisade and Subaru Ascent.
What the 2025 Palisade Offers That Competitors Don’t
Here are five key advantages of choosing the Palisade—especially the top-trim Calligraphy Night Edition AWD—over other SUVs in its class:
- Luxury-Level Interior Without the Luxury Price
- Quilted Nappa leather, ambient lighting, real aluminum trim.
- Feels like a $70K SUV for under $57K.
- Ergo-Motion Massage Driver’s Seat
- Standard on Calligraphy trim.
- Even if it takes time to master (like it did for me), it’s a rare feature at this price.
- Superior Warranty and Peace of Mind
- Hyundai’s 10-year powertrain warranty still beats Toyota, Honda, and Subaru.
- Elegant, Distinctive Styling
- Calligraphy Night Edition’s blacked-out aesthetics stand apart in a sea of conservative-looking crossovers.
- More Standard Features Across Trims
- Even lower trims include safety tech and infotainment found optional in competitors.
Hyundai has done what many others haven’t: created an SUV that looks and feels like a premium product but doesn’t hit you with a luxury-tier price tag. That’s why so many families are discovering Hyundai’s “beautiful problem” with Palisade sales.
Would I Buy a Hyundai Palisade?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition AWD proved itself on this 5-day trip. It was quiet, comfortable, luxurious, and capable. The only real hiccup was that sneaky massage seat, which I eventually figured out how to control. I would recommend anyone test-driving this trim take a moment to explore the Ergo-Motion settings early.
From Charlotte to Hilton Head and back, I never felt fatigued. The kids had room. My wife appreciated the cooled seats. And I appreciated how Hyundai has managed to pack in this level of luxury without pushing into the $70K range like some rivals.
Of course, no SUV is perfect. The cargo area could be a bit larger. The infotainment system really needs to go wireless. But in the grand scheme of things, these are nitpicks. What Hyundai has delivered here is a family-first SUV that flirts with premium territory while keeping its value proposition solid.
And if you’re wondering how it holds up in unpredictable real-world scenarios, I recently covered a story titled “I Thought I Was Safe in the 2025 Hyundai Palisade—Then This Happened”. It’s worth a read.
So now I throw the question to you—have you experienced the Palisade Calligraphy or its competitors? Did your lumbar support try to take over your trip too? Share your story in the comments below. I’d love to hear how others are connecting—or not connecting—with Hyundai’s latest three-row SUV.
Let’s Hear From You: Share Your Thoughts Below
- If you’re in the market for a 3-row SUV, what matters more to you: fuel economy or luxury features like massaging seats and quilted leather?
- Have you test-driven or owned a Hyundai Palisade? How did it compare to your experience with other SUVs?
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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Source: torquenews.com
