2026 Hyundai Palisade Review: The SUV That Grew Up and Got Serious

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade enters the U.S. market bigger, bolder, and smarter than ever—with a first-ever hybrid powertrain, premium interior upgrades, and family-first safety. Here’s a full review of Hyundai’s flagship SUV.

The Palisade Story – From Rookie to Leader

Not long ago, Hyundai was primarily associated with subcompacts and affordable commutes. Then, in 2020, the company caught the American market off guard with something it wasn’t quite ready for: the Palisade. A three-row SUV that cut a stylish figure, rode sensibly, and loaded up with luxury amenities without charging premium prices.

Families took notice. Competitors did too. Hyundai wasn’t just rivaling the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander anymore—it was providing something newer, trendier, and honestly, cooler.

Fast forward to six years later, and behold the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. But this isn’t a refresh. This is a reimagining. It’s larger. It’s more angular. It’s adding a hybrid for the first time. And it’s making a bold statement: Hyundai isn’t just a smart buy anymore—it wants to be the buy.

Interior: Build Quality and Features That Feel Premium

Open the doors, and you’re greeted by an interior that feels less like a mainstream SUV and more like something from a luxury badge. Hyundai has leaned into premium textures and upscale design touches, delivering a cabin that’s both functional and indulgent.

The twin 12.3-inch digital screens are the opening act: one for infotainment responsibilities, with quick graphics; and a second for a full digital instrument cluster. They combine to form a unified, hi-tech cockpit that can hang with the Germans.

Seats can be wrapped in available Nappa leather, with quilted stitching that wouldn’t look out of place in a Genesis. Even the standard models feel far more upscale than you’d expect in the $40K range. Higher trims add ventilated and heated seating for both rows, while the second-row captain’s chairs can be optioned for ultimate road-trip comfort.

Practicality is not overlooked either. All rows receive USB-C ports with 100W charging—yes, including the third row. An cooled wireless charging pad prevents your phone from overheating (genius), and Hyundai’s Digital Key 2 Premium allows you to unlock and begin your Palisade using your smartphone or smartwatch.

And then there is the silence. Due to improved insulation and high-quality sound-deadening materials, the cabin provides a peaceful ride that makes long trips much less exhausting.

Performance: Two Engines, Two Attitudes

The Palisade now has two distinctly different powertrains, each suiting a different type of driver.

3.5-liter V6: With 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, this familiar setup is smooth and dependable. Paired with an 8-speed automatic, it delivers confident acceleration and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds. If you’re used to big, naturally aspirated engines, this is the one that will feel familiar and effortless.

2.5-liter Turbo Hybrid: This is where Hyundai makes its boldest move. The hybrid system blends a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. That’s more power than the V6, with significantly better fuel economy—targeting 30+ mpg on the highway. Towing drops slightly to 4,000 pounds, but for many families, the efficiency trade-off will be worth it.

On the road, the Palisade is set for comfort over sport handling. It steers light but precisely, with suspension that absorbs bumps smoothly. Its optional H-TRAC all-wheel drive system provides reassurance in snow, rain, and shallow off-road conditions.

Safety: A Family Fortress on Wheels

Hyundai understands its customers—safety is not a feature, it’s a deal-breaker. The 2026 Palisade doubles down with:

10 airbags covering all three rows

Seatbelt pre-tensioners and rear-row load limiters, an unusual feature in this segment

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with detection of pedestrians and cyclists

Blind-Spot View Monitor displaying live camera images on your dash when merging lanes

Highway Driving Assist with semi-autonomous steering and lane-centering on the highway

Integrated front and rear dashcams with real-time video records in the event of accidents

It’s not simply peace of mind—it’s about Hyundai establishing new standards for standard safety in family SUVs.

Capabilities: Space, Strength, and a Dash of Adventure

The Palisade has never been anything but a family-first SUV, and the 2026 model doubles down on versatility:

Eight-passenger seating with increased legroom due to an extended wheelbase

Roomy cargo capacity, with fold-flat seats providing ample space for camping equipment, sports gear, or bulk grocery hauls

Towing up to 5,000 pounds with the V6—large enough for small campers, trailers, or boats

XRT PRO trim, with rugged styling, skid plates, and adventurous flourishes for shoppers seeking a bit of adventure on their driveway style

It’s not a rock-crawler, but as an accommodating all-around vehicle that can satisfy family responsibilities, weekend getaways, and infrequent towing, the Palisade finds a sweet spot.

Pricing and Availability

Hyundai has pushed the Palisade into more premium ground.

Base SE trim begins slightly more than $40,000.

Upper trims such as Calligraphy and XRT PRO approach the $55,000–$60,000 mark when every option is selected.

Hybrid variants come at a premium and reach the market a few months behind the gasoline V6.

Timeline for availability in the U.S.:

Gasoline V6 models: Summer 2025

Hybrid models: Fall 2025

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Roomy, upscale interior that beats mainstream competitors on feel

Two robust powertrain options, including a fuel-efficient hybrid

Great safety features, such as innovative rear-row seatbelt pre-tensioners

Integrated dashcams—intelligent, progressive feature

Robust towing ability for a family SUV

Cons:

Pricing starts higher than it did before

Hybrid is to the party late and more expensive

Boxier new styling won’t suit everyone

Isn’t an actual off-road SUV even with rugged trim option

Final Verdict

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is not a refresh—it’s a statement. Hyundai is announcing that it deserves to be right at the top of the three-row SUV discussion.

With aggressive styling, an authentically premium interior, a new hybrid model, and segment-leading safety, the Palisade provides families with something they don’t often get: functionality smothered in luxury without the luxury badge tag.

If you’re shopping for a full-size SUV in 2026, the Palisade is no longer the dark horse—it’s the front-runner.