Critically, the Acura Integra A-Spec with Technology Package offers a manual transmission and fun to drive personality.

Acura brought back the Integra name after shelving it 22 years ago. And, just as the original Integra did, this is built from the Civic sedan with a new body a few Acura Integra parts.For 2023, the Hyundai Palisade is updated, with tweaked styling on the front and rear, an updated interior, and adding technology. The changes combine to give you a fantastic driving experience, all while still playing the value card compared to its many competitors.

Hyundai Palisade Overview:

Hyundai offers five trims of the Palisade for 2023, from the SE, whose base price retails for $36,545. From there you have the SEL, a brand new trim called XRT, Limited, and the $52,095 Calligraphy. XRT starts as an SEL but adds black 20-inch wheels, as well as a black grille, roof rails, and lower door trim. There’s extra black on the front and rear fascia as well. XRT also gets a moonroof and black leatherette interior.

My test car was the top-of-the-line Calligraphy, which meant I sat on Nappa leather upholstered seats. Furthermore, the driver’s seat is something called ergo motion, which includes adjustable upper bolsters, lumbar support and a massaging option. You also get a rearview mirror with a camera option to display instead of a mirror. And all Palisades get a new, larger, 12.3-inch center console touchscreen.

Every Palisade also runs on the carryover 3.8-liter V6, pumping out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The one and only transmission is an eight-speed automatic. But you choose whether power is sent to the front or all four wheels. Going all-whel-drive costs $1900 and is available on every trim.

The three-row, seven or eight seat, crossover SUV provides plenty of space for passengers. And decent cargo space, 18 cubic feet behind the third row. Lowering the third row improves that to 46 cubic feet. Lowering second provides 86 cubic feet of space.

Yes, Hyundai followed the path of many other manufacturers and enlarged and emboldened the front grille for 2023, but not enough to make it overtly ostentatious, thank goodness. Other improvements are straight wins. My favorite, engineers added sound deadening materials in critical places to improve unwanted noise entering the cabin, especially on the highway. As a result, this is a very comfortable cruiser.

Please check out my video above to see more and hear my full opinion. I strive to provide a detailed understanding of what the Hyundai Palisade is really like.

What’s Good: Space. Comfortable seats. Quiet cabin. Comfortable ride.

What Could be better: A Hybrid option to eke out a bit more fuel economy.

My conclusion: Very comfortable family Ute at a price point that may lure many.

Another crossover SUV to keep your eye on: 2022 Mazda CX-5

MAIN COMPETITORS:

• Ford Explorer
• Honda Pilot
• Kia Telluride
• Toyota Highlander
• Volkswagen Atlas