7 Reasons Why the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Interior Is a Game-Changer
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is making waves in the SUV market, and one of its biggest selling points is its interior. Whether you're a family of five or a solo road-tripper, the Palisade’s cabin offers something special for everyone. This article dives into every nook and cranny of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade interior — from the seating and materials to the tech and storage space — giving you a real feel of what it’s like to sit inside this beast of an SUV.
While we’re all excited about the good stuff, we’ll also throw in a little humor when discussing the car's minor quirks. But don’t worry we’ll keep it friendly. After all, every vehicle has a few drawbacks that just need a light-hearted twist.
Let’s buckle up and dive into the details.
A First Look at the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Cabin
Stepping inside the 2021 Hyundai Palisade is like entering a world where SUVs start to feel luxurious. The first impression? It’s not just roomy, it’s cavernous. Whether you’re in the front or chilling in the back seat, you’ll find plenty of space. The materials used are both classy and soft to the touch, setting it apart from other mid-sized SUVs. Plus, the attention to detail is striking, from the stitching on the seats to the intuitive placement of controls.
But hey, not everything’s perfect, right? We’ll get to that too. But first, let's talk about what’s great.
Premium Materials in Every Corner
One of the standout features in the 2021 Palisade is the materials Hyundai uses. Depending on the trim level, you'll find quilted Nappa leather and soft-touch plastics in most places your hands fall. It’s a great feeling, like you're getting a luxury experience without the luxury price tag. The higher trims, especially the Calligraphy, offer materials you’d expect in vehicles costing thousands more.
However, if you're a bit... overly picky about materials, you might notice some hard plastics lower down. They’re not in places you’ll often touch, but they're there. If you're one of those people who pet your car like a cat (no judgment), you might have a love-hate relationship with these spots.
Seating Capacity and Comfort
In terms of seating, the 2021 Palisade offers three rows with the ability to seat up to eight passengers comfortably — or seven if you opt for the captain’s chairs in the second row. The front seats are large and supportive, perfect for long drives, while the rear seats are surprisingly comfortable, even in the third row. Hyundai has really nailed the formula for getting more space into the Palisade than many rivals.
And for those of us with “active” kids (i.e., the ones who use the back of your seat as a soccer goal), the available rear sunshades and Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control are lifesavers.
Pros of Palisade Seating:
- Spacious for its class (third-row passengers won’t curse you)
- Available heated and ventilated seats for front and second-row seats
- Power-folding third-row seats make it easy to reconfigure the layout
- Captain’s chairs provide more luxury and elbow room in the second row
Cons (Or should we say quirks?):
- The third-row is spacious... unless you're a professional basketball player. In that case, the third row might make you feel like you’re sitting in a sardine can. It’s still good for kids or short adults though.
- The second-row seats are a bit stiff if you’re used to plush cushioning. Maybe bring a pillow if you’re extra sensitive?
As Alex Collantes, a longtime Palisade enthusiast, says: "The Palisade's seats remind me of a first-class upgrade on a flight. Except instead of 10 hours of cramped economy seating, you're cruising for hours in total comfort!"
Cargo Space: Packing for the Road Trip
With all rows up, you get 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Fold those seats down, and you get a whopping 45.8 cubic feet of space, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet when both rows are folded flat. That’s pretty impressive for a three-row SUV.
Let’s be real though. Unless you’re a luggage-packing wizard, stuffing 8 people’s suitcases and gear behind the third row might leave you pulling out some Tetris skills you didn’t know you had.
But, hey, that’s what roof racks are for, right?
Infotainment and Technology: The Tech You Didn’t Know You Needed
Hyundai isn’t playing around when it comes to technology. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade comes with one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems in its class. The dashboard is dominated by a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims, or an 8-inch display in the lower ones, with all the modern connectivity options you need. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Check. Multiple USB ports? Check. Wireless charging? Yep.
Key Features to Love:
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Harman Kardon Premium Sound System: Audiophiles will love the 12-speaker setup available on the top trims. It turns your commute into a concert — minus the overpriced tickets and bad seats.
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Head-Up Display: This available feature projects key info like speed and navigation onto the windshield. You’ll feel like a fighter jet pilot... in the most responsible of ways, of course.
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Driver Talk: A microphone lets you speak directly to rear-seat passengers via the car’s speakers. No more yelling, just talk like a normal person (even if your kids ignore you).
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Quiet Mode: This feature mutes the rear speakers, so the kids can snooze while you rock out to your favorite podcast up front.
Now here’s the twist: remember that giant touchscreen? It’s awesome and all, but if you’re the type who hates fingerprints, you’re in for a challenge. You’ll either need to carry around a microfiber cloth or just embrace the smudges. Either way, it’s worth it.
Safety Features: Because You Know You Want to Feel Safe
You don’t just want comfort and tech — safety’s a big deal too. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is packed with safety features that put your mind at ease.
Standard Features Include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane-Keeping Assist
- Driver Attention Warning (because sometimes you’re just too tired)
And if you upgrade to higher trims, you’ll get even more advanced features like the Blind-View Monitor, which shows a live feed of your blind spot on the digital gauge cluster. You know, for those times when you swear there’s a car hiding in your blind spot every time.
One Tiny Quirk:
The Smart Cruise Control is a blessing for highway driving but let’s be honest, if you forget to turn it off before a drive-thru, you might accidentally turn your fast food run into a slow, awkward crawl.
Climate Control: Three Zones of Pure Bliss
Let’s not forget climate control, which for many families, can make or break a road trip. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has a three-zone automatic climate system to keep everyone happy. This means you can have the perfect temperature in the front while your passengers adjust their own settings in the back. No more arguments over who’s too hot or too cold.
But, if you’re someone who’s bad with technology (or just forgetful), the climate control system might be a tad confusing at first. Don’t be surprised if you end up accidentally blasting cold air in the middle of winter — we’ve all been there.
Verdict: Should You Buy the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
In conclusion, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade is a top contender if you’re in the market for a three-row SUV with luxury-like features, plenty of space, and the latest tech. The interior is beautifully designed, the materials are top-notch, and the seating configuration is versatile enough for any family road trip.
However, if you're nitpicky (or just looking for something to laugh about), the quirks — like hard plastics in weird places or needing to strategize packing your cargo — might give you a chuckle. Still, these are far outweighed by the sheer comfort and style that the Palisade offers.
As Alex Collantes says: "It’s like Hyundai went out of their way to think of everything — except maybe how big our families' luggage actually is. But hey, that’s why we have rooftop carriers!"
If you’re still on the fence, we recommend test driving the Palisade and checking out all the amazing interior features firsthand.
Quick Pros and Cons Recap:
Pros:
- Luxurious interior materials
- Plenty of space for passengers and cargo
- Top-notch tech and safety features
- Affordable price compared to luxury SUVs
- Comfortable seating for long trips
Cons (With a Smile):
- Some hard plastics that feel out of place
- Third row isn’t great for NBA players
- Infotainment touchscreen loves fingerprints more than you do
- Smart Cruise Control doesn’t love drive-thrus
Now, go forth and embrace the quirks of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade’s interior with a sense of humor — because it’s still one of the best interiors in its class!