Testing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Discovering Its Most Useful High

In the past, a week was often sufficient to fully explore the capabilities of a new vehicle. However, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy felt like a mere introduction. With a fresh design and incremental length increase, this second-generation model is poised to challenge luxury competitors like the Range Rover when it comes to appearance. Overflowing with advanced technology, the Calligraphy trim sits at the pinnacle of the Palisade lineup, aiming to carve out a space in the luxury market.

Each Palisade model features a panoramic infotainment system, triple-zone climate control, and a suite of cutting-edge driver assistance technologies, but the Calligraphy version, priced around $59,000, elevates luxury a notch further. Exclusive offerings include premium Nappa leather upholstery, front seats with massage functions and adjustable lower leg support, along with a “Relaxation Mode” for second-row captain’s chairs that will make passengers feel like royalty. However, it was the innovative technologies that truly caught my attention in the Palisade Calligraphy.

Among my favorite features are a key fob-controlled self-parking function, an expansive heads-up display filled with useful information, a sophisticated analog-and-digital rearview mirror, and the ability to change lanes autonomously to a degree—all impressive highlights of this sizable SUV.

The 2026 Palisade comes equipped with Highway Driving Assist (HDA) as standard, which is a well-designed advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). The lane-keeping feature activates automatically at speeds of 40 mph, providing gentle nudges to the steering wheel to prevent drifting. Engaging the adaptive cruise control (ACC) button activates the HDA, seamlessly combining ACC with both lane-keeping and lane-centering functions.

Using HDA feels akin to bumper bowling. While keeping your hands on the wheel, I found myself lightly hovering, curious about the system’s performance. The outcome was impressive; at 65 mph, the system adeptly navigates both straight stretches and curves, maintaining the Palisade—one of Hyundai’s bestselling models—perfectly centered in its lane. If you’re more inclined to let the vehicle take the reins, Highway Driving Assist 2 is worth considering.

Exclusive to the Calligraphy version, HDA 2 includes a lane-change assist feature. After activating it via the turn signal lever, the system assesses whether it’s safe to change lanes and executes the maneuver. Initially, it can be a bit unnerving to allow the car to decide when to switch lanes at highway speeds, but the knowledge that it cannot change lanes without your initial input is comforting. My experiences using HDA 2 were consistently positive.

Many high-tech features in the new Palisade take some getting used to, and the blind-spot view monitor (BSVM) is no exception. Activating the turn signal prompts a large circular display to appear in the gauge cluster, providing a live video feed from the outside mirror camera. At highway speeds, this can be visually overwhelming, appearing as a blur of fast-moving objects alongside you—initially, I considered the BSVM slightly gimmicky. However, after becoming accustomed to this feature, I began to appreciate its utility.

When preparing to switch lanes, I typically check all three mirrors and glance over my shoulder for safety. There are times, however, when I’ve missed vehicles in my blind spot, a common struggle for many drivers. This is likely why the BSVM feature was developed, and it performs effectively. I soon incorporated the BSVM feed into my routine visual checks before making lane changes. It’s particularly helpful in tight reversing situations, such as backing around obstacles to access my driveway on a busy street, ensuring I avoid potential mishaps.

Head-up displays (HUDs) have undergone considerable evolution since Oldsmobile first introduced them in 1988 with the Cutlass Supreme Indy 500 Pace Car. Utilizing a vacuum fluorescent display tube, it projected speeds directly onto the windshield. Fast forward nearly four decades, and HUDs are still seen mostly on select models, like the Palisade Calligraphy, which makes a strong case for their inclusion as standard equipment.

The HUD projects crucial information onto the windshield from a small recessed screen on the dashboard, appearing to hover just above the hood to the driver. Apart from displaying your speed, the HUD can be customized to show alerts from the ADAS, turn-by-turn navigation instructions, and caller ID. You can also adjust the display’s height and brightness. While having all this information available may seem excessive, simply having a digital speed readout greatly reduces distractions.

Instead of diverting attention to the dashboard, drivers can easily keep an eye on their speed, as it’s positioned in the driver’s line of sight. Like the now-essential backup camera, I believe HUDs should become standard, given their significant contribution to reducing distractions by providing quick updates. I found it to be impressively useful, although polarized sunglasses can make the display hard to read in bright sunlight.

Self-parking vehicles often struggle to make their appeal, as evidenced by Ford’s discontinuation of the Active Park Assist feature; thus, Hyundai may consider rebranding the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) function offered in the Palisade Calligraphy. This feature doesn’t automatically park the vehicle in parallel or perpendicular spaces but rather allows the vehicle to inch forward or backward in straight lines, facilitating exits from tight parking spots.

We’ve all experienced the frustration of returning to our vehicle only to find another car parked close enough to block our door. Depending on the situation, there may be a case for forcing the door open, despite the potential for dings and scratches. However, you might think twice before doing so if your vehicle costs around $59,000 and is adorned with a luxurious Creamy White Pearl finish. This scenario becomes especially tricky when you’re juggling children and groceries.

This is where Remote Smart Parking Assist comes into play. You can start the engine remotely using your key fob, then simply press one button to move forward and another to go back. This straightforward approach effectively resolves the annoyance of tight parking situations. The Palisade halts immediately once you release the button, and the feature includes some safeguards on the distance it can travel. While I found myself wishing to navigate the hefty 4,872-pound, 16.5-foot SUV like a toy car, that functionality unfortunately isn’t included.

I propose that Hyundai rebrand the “Calligraphy” trim level of the Palisade to “Chauffeur,” as it far surpasses the typical front seats and second-row captain’s chairs. The front row features heated and ventilated seats equipped with multiple massage settings, including a favorite option called “Whole Body” (trust me, this is the best one). Numerous buttons and sliders beside these luxurious seats require a bit of experimentation to master.

When you get it right, you can enjoy what Hyundai refers to as “Relaxation Mode.” The seat’s bottom cushion tilts up, the backrest reclines, and a small thigh support emerges. Perfect for a quick nap while waiting for kids to finish their activities, this comfort extends to the second row, though you won’t find massage options there. Instead, rear seating provides ample space to stretch, and if you choose the passenger-side seat, you can slide the front occupant’s seat out of the way to enhance legroom.

Everyone who tested this royal treatment commented on how it closely resembles being chauffeured. Even third-row passengers benefit from heated, adjustable seating, minimizing one of the common drawbacks of SUVs with rear seats. Remarkably, every seat in the vehicle provides comfort, and while some of the power seat adjustments could be quicker, the focus on creature comforts represented by this technology is definitely commendable.