• If you're wondering which Hyundai Palisade to buy, we recommend the Blue SEL Premium hybrid.
• The Blue SEL Premium sits above the already well-equipped Blue SEL and adds some desirable features for a reasonable price.
• Options to consider on the Blue SEL Premium include all-wheel drive and a choice of a bench or captain's chairs for the second row.

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The Hyundai Palisade is a new favorite in the family three-row SUV ranks, having won its first 10Best award this year. Choosing among two powertrains and a slew of trim levels can be a chore, though, so we're here to help. If you're shopping for a Palisade, we can save you some time by recommending the trim level and options that pack the best value.

Which Palisade Trim Level Is the Best?

Before selecting a trim level, you have to pick your Palisade's powertrain. We're partial to the hybrid over the V-6, as it's both quicker and more fuel efficient, and you'll pay just a couple thousand bucks more for a comparable hybrid. (Note that the hybrid, not the gas-only Palisade, is the one on our 2026 10Best list.)

With that decided, we'd go with the $49,120 Blue SEL Premium trim. Compared to the Blue SEL, it adds a heated steering wheel, power adjustments for the front passenger seat, ventilation for the front seats, heat and ventilation for the second row, a 360-degree camera system, and a sunroof. The Premium also has side parking sensors in addition to the Blue SEL's front and rear units, and it gets automated braking in reverse.

What Options Should You Consider?

There is only one factory option available on the Blue SEL Premium. Buyers have their choice of a three-across bench seat or a pair of captain's chairs for the second row at no extra charge. Note that opting for the bench means no ventilation for your row-two crew members and lowers the seat count from eight to seven.

If you want all-wheel drive, you have to go for the SEL Premium, which isn't as efficiency focused as the front-wheel-drive Blue variant. That one's equipped very similarly and starts at $51,120.

What Do You Miss Out On in the Higher Trim Levels?

Hyundai offers two more Palisade Hybrid trim levels beyond the SEL Premiums: Limited and Calligraphy. Both come standard with all-wheel drive and those second-row captain's chairs. The Limited model trades 18-inch wheels for 20s, extends the roof opening to a dual pane sunroof, and gets a premium sound system, real leather upholstery in place of faux leather, and a massage function for the driver's seat, plus heat and power fold, recline, and slide for the third row. The Limited also gets a factory-installed tow hitch that's not offered on lower trims.

The Calligraphy steps even further into luxury territory with 21-inch wheels, even nicer leather upholstery, power adjustments for the second-row seats, a head-up display, advance collision-avoidance features, remote parking, and built-in front and rear dash cams.

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Ever since David was a wee Car and Driver intern, he has kept a spreadsheet listing all the vehicles he’s driven and tested. David really likes spreadsheets. He can parallel-park a school bus and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. After taking a break from journalism to work on autonomous vehicles, he’s back writing for this and other automotive publications. When David’s not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest in gimmicky, limited-edition foodstuffs.