2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL

The 2020 Palisade is Hyundai's flagship three-row SUV, slotting above the Santa Fe and competing with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride. The V6 pulls strongly and the transmission shifts smoothly, making the big SUV feel more eager than its size suggests. The ride is composed and quiet on the highway, though the suspension is tuned firm enough that sharp bumps come through. The cabin is roomy for seven or eight, with comfortable seats, plenty of cargo space, and high-quality materials throughout. Standard SmartSense safety tech includes forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning, with available blind spot monitoring. The SEL is the trim most shoppers pick for the balance of features and price, adding heated front seats and Smart Cruise Control over the SE without stepping up to the Limited's leather and larger screen. Its 3.8L V6 makes 291 horsepower and pairs with a smooth eight-speed automatic, so the Palisade feels willing whether you're merging onto the highway or climbing a grade, and it returns 21 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. The SEL's cloth seats are comfortable and easy to live with, and the second-row captain's chairs give the cabin a proper seven-seat layout with a walk-through aisle.