We weren't kidding when we said the 2022 Palisade is a near-luxury SUV. Although the SE is a base trim, it has some terrific features that are usually found only on high-end trim levels. These include things like LED headlights and daytime running lights, automatic high beams, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators (newly standard), privacy glass, 18-inch wheels, and trailer pre-wiring. The SEL ups the ante with unique door-handle welcome lights, luxurious chrome door handles, a moonroof, roof rails, and keyless entry. The SEL can be jazzed up even further with the optional Convenience Package, which contains 20-inch wheels, an auto-leveling rear suspension, LED taillights, front parking sensors, and a hands-free liftgate. The Limited is even more desirable since it comes standard with all of those available features, plus rain-sensing windshield wipers, a dual-panel moonroof, and a surround-view camera system. At the top of the range, the deluxe Calligraphy flaunts approach lights on the side mirrors, an exclusive roof-mounted center high-mount stoplight, premium rear accent lighting, an upscale front grille, front and rear skid plates, and deluxe detailing on the doors.

The '22 Palisade's interior matches the appeal of its exterior. The eight-passenger SE gets a second-row bench seat and a power third-row seat. Its infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio; there's also a 12-volt power outlet, various USB ports (three in the first row and two in the second), and an underfloor storage compartment where valuables can be hidden. The SEL swaps in a pair of captain's chairs in place of the second-row bench, reducing passenger capacity to seven. It also adds a power driver's seat, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated HomeLink universal garage door opener, two-zone automatic temperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The optional SEL Convenience Package will issue a high-res 7-inch instrument cluster, rear side-window sunshades, a wireless phone charger, third-row USB ports, and a 115-volt AC power outlet, while the Premium Package includes leather seats, a power front passenger's seat, driver's seat memory, heated second-row seats, additional power adjustments for the third-row seat, a heated steering wheel, premium interior trim, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and satellite radio, an in-car PA system, and Bluelink connected services. The Limited bundles all of that onto its standard equipment list in addition to Nappa leather seats, a driver's-seat leg-cushion extender, ventilated front and rear seats, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a blind-spot view monitor, and 64-color ambient lighting. And just when you think the Palisade can't get any more desirable, the Calligraphy appears with its quilted leather door panels, microfiber headliner, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and decorative cargo sill plate.