If you are on the market for a mid-size crossover SUV, have you considered the Hyundai Palisade? The Palisade has been in production since the end of 2018 and has rapidly become one of the most popular vehicles in its class.
As a fairly new mid-size SUV, the Palisade continues to sell well across the US and has proven a popular choice for drivers looking for extra seating.
The Palisade is larger than the Hyundai Sante Fae and has three rows of seats with space for up to eight passengers. Like the sound of the Hyundai Palisade? Well, your next step is choosing which trim is the best for you.
In this article, we will be comparing the Hyundai Palisade SEL vs Limited trims, looking at everything from the engine to the interior design to help you make the most informed choice.
The difference between the SEL and Limited trim is the features available, with the Limited being the high-end trim. The features it has over the SEL include leather-trimmed seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 12.5-inch digital cluster display, and a wealth of safety features.
What Trim Levels Does the Hyundai Palisade Have?
The Hyundai Palisade is available in four different trims:
- SE
- SEL
- Limited
- Calligraphy
All four trims of the Hyundai Palisade have an FWD or AWD configuration. You will be paying more for the AWD models. For example, the MSRP for the SE trim in FWD is $33150, and this increases to $34850 when you opt for AWD.
The SE is the cheapest trim but if you want the most luxurious interior and impressive exterior appearance, you will want the Calligraphy trim. The Calligraphy has 20inch alloy wheels, an exclusive grille, premium lighting, and many more luxurious features.
If you want an idea of the price for all of the 2022 Hyundai Palisade trims, here is the MSRP for each:
- SE – $33150 FWD/ $34850 AWD
- SEL – $35500 FWD/ $37200 AWD
- Limited – $45390 FWD/ $47090 AWD
- Calligraphy – $46690 FWD/ $48390 AWD
Across the four trim levels, you will find several variations in interior and exterior features. We won’t be looking in-depth at the top and bottom level trims, instead we are going to compare the two mid-range trims, the SEL and the Limited.
With the MSRP jumping quite significantly from $35500 for the SEL to $45390 for the Limited, you will expect to see a lot more features on the limited. Let’s take a closer look…
Similarities Between Hyundai Palisade SEL vs Limited
While there are several differences between the SEL and Limited trims, there are also many similarities. After all, at their core, both the SEL and Limited are the same vehicle.
Here is a list of similarities between these two trims:
Engine
Both the SEL and Limited have a 6-cylinder engine with idle ‘stop and go’ technology. The engine has 291 @ 6000 rpm horsepower and has 24 valves dual-CVVT valve train.
The engine in the Hyundai Palisade has a 13.0.1 compression ratio and a gasoline direct injection fuel system.
Drivetrain
The SEL and Limited both have exactly the same drive train.
Both trims come with front-wheel drive [FWD] as standard and have the option for AWD to be installed. There is an 8-speed automatic transmission in each trim, using Hyundai’s SHIFTRONIC technology.
Body, Chassis & Suspension
Both the SEL and Limited have a 7-passenger body type in the standard package.
These trims are made from high-strength steel and use Macpherson Strut front suspension with coil springs. Both trims have hill-start assist, sway control, motor driver power steering, and downhill brake control.
If you plan to use your Palisade to tow, you will be pleased to learn that both the SEL and Limited have a maximum trailer weight of 5000 pounds.
Dimensions and Weight
The SEL and Limited trims are both the same sizes, the exterior body dimensions do not change when you upgrade to the Limited trim.
Both trims have a 114.2-inch wheelbase, are 196.1 inches long, and 77.8 inches wide. The height of the 2022 Hyundai Palisade is 68.9 inches. For the seven-passenger configuration, both trims have the same curb weight for both FWD and AWD: 4231.0 and 4387.0 pounds.
Interior Dimensions
When it comes to interior space, more is always better. You don’t buy a mid-size SUV if you want a small and cozy ride, you buy it for the spacious and roomy feel.
The Hyundai Palisade has three rows of seating and the dimensions vary from row to row. In both the SEL and Limited the headroom for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row of seats is 39.3 / 38..8 and 37.2 inches.
If you are concerned about not having enough legroom, there is actually plenty of space with 44.1 / 42.4 and 31.4 inches of legroom available.
The total interior volume for the SEL and Limited is 173.3 cubic feet and there is a passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. If you want to utilize the space in your Palisade for cargo, you can fold down the second and third rows of seating.
There is a cargo capacity of 86.4 cubic feet behind the front seats, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row.
With all the seats folded down, you will have plenty of space for cargo. In fact, the Palisade is one of the best in its class when it comes to the amount of cargo space on offer.
Safety Features
Driver and passenger safety is so important and Hyundai has created the SmartSense safety package to help keep their customers as safe as possible while out on the road.
Both the SEL and Limited trims have several safety features installed, these include: reverse parking distance warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane following/keeping assist, ABS 4-wheel disc brakes, TPMS with individual tire indicator, advanced dual front airbags, side-impact airbags, driver’s knee airbags, and front and rear roof-mounted side-curtain airbags.
All of this technology is designed to keep drivers, passengers, and even other road users and pedestrians as safe as possible.
Exterior Features
Looking at the Exterior features available for the SEL and Limited, there really isn’t much difference between the two.
There are several exterior features shared by both of the mid-level trims for the Hyundai Palisade, these include but are not limited to: LED daytime running lights, door handle welcome lights, automatic headlights, premium satin chrome door handles, privacy glass, roof rails, and proximity key entry with push-button start.
Interior Features
The interior features are where the SEL and Limited trims really start to go their separate ways. Before we delve into the difference, let’s first take a look at the similarities between the Palisade SEL vs Limited interior features.
Both trims have heated front seats as standard, sliding second-row seats with electric cargo-release buttons, underfloor cargo compartment, one-touch release on 2nd-row seats for 3rd-row seat access, Android Auto and Apple Car Play, air-con, dual-action temperature control, 4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and 3 USB ports for the first row and 2 ports for the second row.
If you need to access your smartphone while driving to make calls or listen to music, both the SEL and Limited have hands-free Bluetooth technology with wireless audio streaming.
Differences Between Hyundai Palisade SEL vs Limited
With so many similarities, you may be wondering how there can possibly be any differences between the SEL and Limited Hyundai Palisade trims.
Well, that extra $10,000 or so is added on to the Limited trim for a reason! Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the SEL and Limited Palisade.
In the majority of circumstances, features that are available as standard in the Limited trim, are only available in the SEL if you upgrade to the convenience or premium packages.
The convenience package will add an extra $2400 to your final price tag and the premium package will up the price by $3200.
Examples of features available as standard for the Limited but only available in an upgrade package or not at all for the SEL include:
- 20-inch alloy wheels.
- LED tail lights.
- Wireless device charging for Qi-supported devices.
- Leather-trimmed seats.
- Heated steering wheel.
- Highway driving assist.
- Driver Talk in-car telecom.
- Bluelink connected car system.
- Forward parking distance warning.
- Ultrasonic rear occupant alert.
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers.
- 4-way lumbar driver seat.
- Leg extension cushion for driver seat.
- Heated rear seats.
- 3rd power-folding/unfolding/reclining seats.
- Harman Kardon premium audio with 12 speakers and QuantumLogic® Surround with Clari-Fi™ Music Restoration Technology.
- Dual 3rd row USB ports.
- Surround-view monitor.
- Blind spot view monitor.
- 64 color ambient lighting.
Which Is Better – SEL or Limited?
When trying to decide which trim is best, it really does come down to each driver’s personal preference and specific needs.
There is a large leap in price between the SEL and Limited standard packages. However, you don’t have to splash out on the Limited to enjoy some of the more impressive features.
You may not feel like your SEL is as luxurious and technologically as impressive as the Limited trim, but when you upgrade to the Premium package, you can still enjoy several of these features for a smaller price tag.
If you are all about gadgets, you will want to choose the Limited trim. When it comes to the navigation touchscreen display, the Limited has a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while the SEL has an 8-inch color touchscreen.
You also have a more impressive, 12.3-inch digital cluster in the Limited trim. The cluster in the SEL has slightly less of a high-end vibe, with only a 7inch display available with the convenience package.
Just because it has more interior and exterior features, that does not mean the Limited is the best choice for everyone.
In fact, if you were originally drawn to the Palisade because of the promise of 8 seats, you will need to choose the SEL over the Limited. There is no option for 8 seats in the Limited trim, you can only fit in 7 passengers. If you need that extra seat, the SEL is the trim for you.
If you are more concerned with the mechanical side of things, there really is no difference between the SEL and Limited.
They both use the same engine, have the same horsepower and torque and use the same 8-speed automatic transmission, and have the option for either a front-wheel or all-wheel-drive drivetrain.
The Limited trim has more safety features as standard than the SEL. If you are safety conscious and want the best technology to keep you out of harm’s way while out on the road, the Limited is your trim of choice.
With safety features including highway assist, front and reverse parking distance warning, and ultrasonic rear occupant alert included as standard in the SmartSense safety technology on the Limited, this really is the safest Hyundai Palisade between these two mid-level trims.
FAQs
Does Palisade SEL have leather seats?
The standard SEL trim of the Hyundai Palisade does not have leather seats. However, if you upgrade to the premium package, your vehicle will have leather-trimmed seats. Leather seats are not available at all in the SE trim but they come as standard when you purchase the Limited Palisade.
What are the different models of Palisade?
The Hyundai Palisade is a crossover mid-size SUV. The Palisade is available in four different trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy.
Does the Hyundai Palisade Limited have 8 seats?
If you want eight seats in the Hyundai Palisade you will need the SE trim or upgrade to the SEL trim. Eight seats are not an option for the Limited or Calligraphy trims.
Does Palisade SEL come with a sunroof?
The SEL trim of the 2022 Hyundai Palisade comes with a conventional sunroof. However, if you want a dual-panel sunroof, you will need to part with a bit more cash and upgrade to the Limited or Calligraphy trim. The SE trim doesn’t have any sunroof.
Conclusion
The Hyundai Palisade is a popular crossover mid-size SUV that has grown in popularity since its release in 2018.
This SUV is a great choice for drivers who love Hyundai but want a model that is larger than the Sante Fae. The Palisade has everything an SUV driver could wish for with room for 8 passengers, ample cargo space, and a large array of safety features.
The different trim levels for the Hyundai Palisade offer various different interior and exterior features.
If you can’t decide between the SEL and Limited trims, we hope this article has helped you to see the differences and similarities between the two. You get no extra space when you choose the Limited, but there are many more safety features and you will also have an SUV with a more luxurious finish.
For more related Hyundai Palisade topics, here are our other posts:
Hyundai Palisade Limited vs Calligraphy: What’s the Difference?
Does the Hyundai Palisade Come With a Spare Tire?
Does The Hyundai Palisade Have 3rd Row Seating?