continues to focus on long-term value and consumer confidence with one of the most impressive warranties available. So far so good for the South Korean automaker, which has continued to improve its already-popular fleet of versatile SUVs led by the Palisade and Santa Fe.

While it will take time to find out if the 2021 Hyundai Palisade will fall into the category of most reliable cars, early signs suggest it might just be a great option for buyers looking for a long-lasting SUV.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has been widely praised by customer reviews and ratings.

Putting the 2021 Hyundai Palisade to the test

The only way to get a real feel for a new car is by testing it in real-life scenarios. To this end,

Auto Blog

hit the road all summer with a 2021 Palisade (Calligraphy model), taking it on extensive road trips to see how it compared with lofty expectations.

The results were nothing shy of outstanding. The Auto Blog crew tacked on 9,000 miles in only a few months before bringing it back to a Hyundai dealer for a checkup. Not only were there no issues to note, but an editor along for the ride bought a similar Palisade model for his family.

Although 9,000 miles represents a small fraction of a car's intended lifespan, road trips are critical times for car buyers to fall in or out of love with a new purchase. Importantly, the Auto Blog’s test lines up very well with rankings from JD Power and Edmunds, which both rank the Palisade near the top for three-row SUVs.

Ultimately, driving tests and verified customer reviews from top resources all point to the Palisade being the high-quality SUV buyers were hoping for.

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A look at the negatives

MORE: These Vehicles Cost More Used Than New

Similar to what we've seen across the auto industry, Hyundai is not insulated from shortages crimping production and deliveries across the globe.

This hasn't just impacted the 2022 lineup either; those looking for new 2021 models or used cars from earlier years have been forced into a very competitive market. That's exactly where the Auto Blog testers found their biggest negative, as getting the keys to a 2021 Palisade was a significant obstacle.

The shock to the whole auto system caused by the pandemic has also led to longer times waiting for maintenance appointments. Even if you want to bring your Palisade in for the recommended 7,500-mile checkup, you might not be able to get an appointment for a month or more.

Even though chip shortage could limit availability well into 2022—or possibly even beyond, according to

Consumer Reports

—we've likely seen the worst when it comes to service appointments. As we move toward a normalized auto sector and more robust workforces, the largest negatives in play for the Palisade should begin to alleviate as well.

Outside of these temporary constraints, the Auto Blog editors noted small drawbacks such as a lack of a digital rearview mirror and minor issues with the keyless entry. However, none of the issues took away from their overall view of the Palisade.

Nice upgrades with limited cost in the Hyundai Palisade

When it comes to the 2021 Palisade, the move from the standard edition to the SEL means an assortment of excellent additions for relatively little cost—including some game-changing safety features.

According to

Edmunds

, the SEL is recommended because it provides major upgrades across the board without the sticker shock you might expect. Significant leaps in tech and comfort can be found at the SEL level, including family favorites like second-row captain's chairs and blind-spot monitors.

The optionality of the SEL is also outstanding. With add-on features like a hands-free liftgate and front parking sensors (both in the SEL Convenience package), buyers don't have to pay up for the Limited or Calligraphy editions for features you might expect from higher-end models.

Looking at the array of options across the board, it's clear Hyundai is committed to balancing both customization and value with the 2021 Palisade—two driving forces for long-term customer happiness.

If a buyer wants top-end features more typical of a luxury automaker, the Limited and Calligraphy editions don't disappoint.

While the 2021 Hyundai Palisade offers plenty of options to fit budgets and needs, the same goes for

Jerry

when it comes to finding the right auto insurance. With the expertise to match whatever your insurance needs are, Jerry can quickly guide you to the plan that works best for you.

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