The three-row Palisade is an extremely functional family vehicle, distinguished by a no-nonsense powertrain and thoughtfully designed interior. It joins the mechanically related Kia Telluride in disrupting the rankings within this popular vehicle class.
The Palisade scored high in our testing but not as high as the Telluride. Several nuances in terms of ride, handling, braking, and control layout account for the difference.
This SUV can seat seven or eight people depending on whether it has a second-row bench or two separate seats. Test drivers of various sizes found it quite easy to get comfortable. The roomy cabin has convenient features, such as readily accessible USB ports for the rear passengers and a handy release for the second-row seat to allow access to the third row. The infotainment system and most controls are simple to use, except for the push-button gear selector.