Test Drive + Car Review: 2020 Hyundai Palisade

Today’s a sad day because it’s the last day of our week long Hyundai Palisade Loaner! We LOVED every minute of getting to test drive this car all week. Hyundai graciously loaned us the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy model for the last 7 days to help get us around town while we finished up last minute holiday errands.

Conner and I were both so excited to have our own car to drive after not having one in NYC (him for 5 years, me for 2.5).  In NYC, cars don’t really make sense for us…but in wide open Indiana, it has been A TREAT. No joke, when Hyundai first dropped the car off, we went out and sat with it parked in the driveway for 30+ minutes to just enjoy it lol. Seat heaters, music, coffee, and no phones. It’s the little things 🤓   

During our week of test driving we: Christmas shopped, drove through the Christmas lights in Winding Brook (a tradition my parents have done with us since we were babies!), drove aimlessly along country roads near us in Northern Indiana with Christmas music playing…and snuck in a couple romantic Qdoba date nights 😉

I was blown away with how many responses I received on Instagram from people who either have the Palisade and are obsessed with it, or have had their eye on it and are waiting to pull the trigger. So if you’re in the second boat, this post is for you!

First Impressions…

MSRP: Starting at $32k and topping at $54k

MPG: Up to 26 MPG HWY

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 (depending on configuration)

What We Drove: Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Model in Becketts Black

There’s no denying this is a really darn good-looking car. The sleek black exterior, silver detailing, and dramatic grill are just 🤩 And, her inner beauty def matched her outer beauty with the clean, minimalist design. It was the quilted leather doors and seats for me! Also, it has a massive panoramic sunroof 😎

The Palisade is a fully functional 7 or 8 passenger SUV depending on how you have it configured. It’s a big car but not huge, which makes 4’11” me feel safe but not overwhelmed. Definitely didn’t have the “can’t see over the steering wheel” problem, haha.The front cabin is ~very~ roomy and comfortable with easy-access third row seats and second row seats that slide forward and fold by pushing a button.

Favorite Features:

The Heated Seats + Steering Wheel: We have about a 5 minute drive to the gym in the morning and they’re already warm by the time we get there!

The PUSH Buttons: ok I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand “over-the-top fancy” touch buttons (👵🏼). Especially when I’m driving. I seriously love the practical design of the buttons on the dash and how easily you can adjust things. There is also a 10.25” screen that fits a map, your music, and the weather all on one screen.

6 Drive Modes: there are six drive modes ranging from the modest Eco for the most efficient commute to AWD Lock (AKA snow mode) for slippery roads. Con loved the Sport mode 🙂

Cup Holders: yes, they’re worth mentioning lol. Fun and functional the way they pop out.

Blind Spot Cameras: When you turn your signal on, a side-view mirror camera shows a video of the Palisade’s blind spots on the dash right in front of you. 

Wireless Phone Charging: right in the center console…major!

Extra Storage: underneath the center counsel, there is an easy access bin for additional storage (such an underrated feature!!). Perfect for bags/laptops/etc 

XM Radio – to blast T. Swift’s new(est) album

Driver Talk: ok, irrelevant for us with no kiddies yet, but this one’s for the moms! Not only is there room in the back for plenty of munchkins, but the driver talk feature allows you to quiet whatever is playing through the speakers and projects your voice through to the backseat to lay down the law.

7 USB Ports Throughout: a must for this generation haha.

Heads Up Display: your speed is virtually projected onto the windshield to help keep your eyes on the road.

One of the best attributes? It’s price. You absolutely get the luxury feel at a much more affordable price range.

Giving Back..

In addition to the loaner, Hyundai also generously provided us with a donation to the charity of our choice. We chose to give to The Tim Tebow Foundation whose mission is to emulate Jesus by loving people in all of its outreaches. Conner and I have always admired the way both Tim and Demi boldly and publicly live out their faith. They dedicate so much of their lives to changing the lives of others while making a lasting impact on the world. Very thankful for the opportunity  to partner with brands like Hyundai who make giving back a priority. 

For a more detailed look at the car, safety information, etc., visit the Hyundai website. If you have any questions, ask in the comments of my IG post tonight and I’ll do my best to answer based on our 1 week test drive!

Sponsored by Hyundai but all decisions regarding the sharing of Holiday Giveback funds were made by me!