What You Get in Each 2025 Palisade Configuration
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade comes in five main trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each step up adds safety features, comfort upgrades, and technology options rather than changing the engine or basic structure. The SE is the entry point with standard all-wheel drive and a touchscreen; the Calligraphy is the top tier with leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and upgraded audio. Most buyers choose SEL or Limited because they balance cost against the features that matter most — backup cameras, blind-spot monitoring, and smartphone integration.
Hyundai also offers two powertrain choices across all trims: a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower, or an optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 277 horsepower. The V6 is more common and delivers better towing capacity (5,000 pounds versus 3,500 pounds). Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive — front-wheel drive is not available on the 2025 model year.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Palisade offers five trim levels from SE to Calligraphy, with each adding comfort and technology features but not changing the core structure or engine options.
- You can choose between a 3.8-liter V6 (290 hp, better for towing) or a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (277 hp, slightly better fuel economy) on any trim.
- All 2025 models come standard with all-wheel drive; front-wheel drive is not offered this year.
- Mid-range trims (SEL and Limited) include most safety and convenience features that buyers actually use, making them better value than base or top-tier options.
SE and SEL: The Core Configurations
The SE trim is the starting point and includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, and Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite (automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, and adaptive cruise control). Seating is cloth, and the interior uses standard plastics. The SE has one row of power-adjustable seats and manual windows in the rear doors.
The SEL adds heated front seats, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an upgraded eight-inch digital instrument cluster. The steering wheel becomes heated, and you get a power driver's seat with lumbar support. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert come standard on SEL, which are features many buyers consider essential for a three-row vehicle. The SEL Plus sits between SEL and Limited, adding a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and upgraded interior trim.
Limited and Calligraphy: Premium Configurations
The Limited trim introduces leather seating, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a power-adjustable third row. The infotainment system gains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and you get a Bose premium audio system with eight speakers instead of the standard six. Heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel are included. The Limited also adds a surround-view camera system, which displays a bird's-eye view of the vehicle when parking — useful in tight spaces.
The Calligraphy is the top configuration and adds Nappa leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable steering column, and a Bose premium audio system upgraded to 12 speakers. The interior trim shifts to wood and metal accents instead of plastic. Calligraphy buyers also receive a power-adjustable third row with memory settings, meaning the seat position can return to your preference automatically. This trim is aimed at buyers who prioritize comfort and interior quality over value.
Engine and Transmission Choices Across All Trims
Both engines available on the 2025 Palisade are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard 3.8-liter V6 produces 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon city and 26 highway. This engine can tow 5,000 pounds, which is the highest capacity in the three-row SUV class at this price point. The V6 is the more common choice because it delivers stronger acceleration and better towing without a significant fuel economy penalty.
The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon city and 27 highway. It can tow 3,500 pounds. The turbo engine is lighter and slightly more fuel-efficient, but the difference in real-world driving is usually one to two miles per gallon. The turbo costs roughly $1,500 more than the V6 and is less common because the V6 offers better value for most buyers. Both engines use regular unleaded gasoline.
Interior Seating and Space Configurations
All 2025 Palisade models seat seven passengers across three rows. The second row can be configured as either a bench seat (fitting three) or two individual captain's chairs with a center console. Captain's chairs are standard on Limited and Calligraphy; SEL and SEL Plus offer them as an option. The third row is best suited for children or shorter adults because legroom is tight — adults typically find it uncomfortable on trips longer than an hour.
Cargo space behind the third row is 18.8 cubic feet; with the third row folded, you get 50.2 cubic feet; with both second and third rows folded, the total is 84.9 cubic feet. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward to balance passenger comfort against cargo space. All trims include a power liftgate, which is standard across the lineup.
Technology and Safety Features by Trim Level
SmartSense safety technology is standard on all trims and includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on SEL and above; they are not available on the SE. The surround-view camera system (bird's-eye view) is standard on Limited and Calligraphy only.
Infotainment upgrades follow a clear pattern: SE and SEL use a 10.25-inch touchscreen, SEL Plus and Limited use a 12.3-inch screen, and Calligraphy uses the same 12.3-inch display. Wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) is standard on Limited and Calligraphy; SE and SEL require a USB cable. All models support Hyundai's BlueLink connected services, which allow remote locking, engine start, and vehicle diagnostics through a smartphone app.
Exterior and Wheel Options
All 2025 Palisade models use the same body shape and exterior dimensions. The main visual differences are trim-specific details: the SE has 18-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, the SEL and SEL Plus use 18-inch or optional 20-inch alloy wheels, and the Limited and Calligraphy come standard with 20-inch alloy wheels. Roof rails are standard on all trims. The Calligraphy adds a power-adjustable panoramic sunroof, which is optional on SEL Plus and Limited.
Paint color choices are the same across all trims. Hyundai offers eight exterior colors for 2025, including Ebony Black, Calypso Red, and Moonlight Cloud (a light gray). No trim-specific colors exist, so your choice of color is independent of which configuration you select.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get front-wheel drive on the 2025 Palisade?
No. All 2025 Palisade models come standard with all-wheel drive only. Hyundai discontinued the front-wheel-drive option for this model year. If fuel economy is your priority, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with all-wheel drive will deliver slightly better mileage than the V6, though the difference is typically one to two miles per gallon.
Which trim has the best value?
The SEL or Limited usually offer the best balance of features and cost. The SE saves money but lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are safety features most buyers consider essential. The SEL Plus and Calligraphy add comfort upgrades (leather, sunroof, upgraded audio) that increase price significantly without changing performance or core capability.
What is the difference between the V6 and turbo engines in real driving?
The V6 feels faster off the line and handles highway merging more easily. The turbo is slightly more efficient on the highway but less responsive in city driving. For towing or frequent highway driving, the V6 is the better choice. For mostly city driving, the turbo saves a small amount on fuel. Both are reliable engines with the same warranty coverage.
Do I need captain's chairs or a bench seat in the second row?
Captain's chairs make it easier to access the third row because there is no center seat to climb over. A bench seat gives you more flexibility if you occasionally need to fit three people in the second row. Most buyers with young children prefer captain's chairs; those who frequently transport adults prefer the bench.
Is the third row usable for adults?
The third row is tight for adults on long trips. Legroom is limited, and the seat itself is narrower than the second row. It works well for children or as emergency seating for short distances. If you regularly need to seat six or seven adults comfortably, the Palisade is not the best choice — a minivan offers more third-row space.