The 2027 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy brings a surprising level of luxury to a mainstream SUV, offering features such as massaging seats, power recliners and a UV disinfecting box for less than $60,000. The second-generation Palisade has drawn comparisons to the Land Rover Range Rover while adding a hybrid option that delivers more power and improved fuel economy.

A Range Rover Look at a Mainstream Price

When Hyundai introduced the second-generation Palisade for the 2026 model year, comparisons with Land Rover’s iconic SUV quickly followed. The Palisade does not closely resemble the current Range Rover, but its design is reminiscent of the fourth-generation L405 Range Rover, which was built from 2012 to 2021.

While the Palisade may not match the appearance of the genuine British SUV, its pricing is dramatically different. The Palisade tops out at around $60,000, compared with roughly $160,000 for the Range Rover referenced in the comparison.

A Luxury-Focused Palisade Interior

The second-generation Palisade significantly raises the bar for interior quality and amenities. The first-generation model was already among the most highly rated vehicles in the mid-size three-row crossover class before the redesign, and Hyundai has added an even more upscale feel to the new model.

The Calligraphy features soft materials and textured surfaces throughout the cabin. Heated and ventilated seats are available for both the driver and front passenger, while rear occupants get heated and ventilated seats in power-operated captain’s chairs.

Hyundai also adds several technology features, including a built-in dash camera and a UV disinfecting light box. The combination of materials, comfort features and technology gives the Palisade a notably upscale interior for its price.

The Palisade’s Power-Folding Seat Issue

One significant issue affects the Calligraphy’s power-folding second- and third-row seats. Lower Palisade trims have seats that can be lowered with the push of a button but must be raised manually. The Calligraphy was upgraded with power-folding seats designed to move up and down with a single button press.

However, Hyundai deactivated that functionality following a recall after the seats failed to detect a two-year-old child, resulting in a fatality caused by the defect.

As a temporary measure, the seats now require someone to hold the button until the movement is complete. Hyundai also removed the ability to raise or lower the seats through the touchscreen while it searches for a more permanent solution.

The Palisade Finally Gets a Hybrid

The standard Palisade uses a 3.5-liter V6, which is smaller than the outgoing model’s 3.8-liter engine. Output also falls slightly, with the new engine producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, compared with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft in the previous model.

Those reductions are relatively small, but the Palisade’s performance was less impressive in testing. The SUV completed the 0-60 mph run in 8.94 seconds, while a 2024 Palisade Calligraphy completed the same sprint in 6.97 seconds.

Hyundai addresses both the performance and fuel-economy shortcomings with the new Palisade Hybrid. It combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The hybrid is expected to reach 60 mph in the mid-six-second range while achieving up to 34 mpg combined.

Is the Kia Telluride the Better Budget Range Rover?

The second-generation Palisade builds on the success of the original, although the major seat issue remains a significant drawback. Hyundai also faces competition from within the Hyundai Motor Group, with Kia offering its own budget Range Rover-style SUV in the form of the second-generation Telluride.

The 2027 Kia Telluride follows a similar formula, bringing Land Rover-inspired styling to a mainstream price point. In some ways, the Telluride looks even more like a Range Rover because its taillights resemble those of the current-generation L460 model rather than an earlier version.

The Telluride also avoids some of the Palisade’s drawbacks. It does not offer power-folding seats, meaning it was not affected by the same recall. Kia also uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in both the gas and hybrid versions, giving the Telluride an advantage in acceleration over Hyundai’s V6 because of its higher torque output.

For buyers looking for a three-row SUV with Range Rover-inspired styling at a fraction of the price, the 2027 Hyundai Palisade and 2027 Kia Telluride offer two compelling options.