Cosseted by the 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai loves to tease us. If not by offering a well-equipped model for a competitive price, they sometimes load up a popular model, pushing it into a whole different sphere. Sometimes they do both.

The midsize three-row Hyundai Palisade is a prime example of doing both. This model, technically mainstream, incorporates numerous luxury elements, which sets it apart in a highly competitive market. Its strongest competitor may be the Toyota Grand Highlander, but in this segment the Palisade makes a towering claim as the grandest of them all.

Hyundai Palisade: 2026 Edition

Hyundai launched its flagship Palisade in the U.S. for the 2020 model year. From the start, it set a new benchmark for the segment. The current iteration is the second-generation model, released in summer 2025 for the 2026 model year.

For 2026, the Palisade comes with standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. This model seats seven or eight and offers gas and hybrid powertrain choices.

Prices are as follows. The first price is front-wheel drive; the second price is all-wheel drive. Add $1,600 for the delivery charge:

Gasoline

SE ($39,435 / $41,435)
SEL ($41,940 / $43,940)
SEL Convenience ($43,370 / $45,370)
SEL Premium ($45,300 / $47,300)

XRT PRO (AWD only – $49,870)
Limited ($49,770 / $51,770)
Calligraphy ($54,560 / $56,560)

Hybrid

Hybrid SEL ($44,160 / $46,160)
Hybrid SEL Premium ($47,520 / $49,520)
Hybrid Limited ($51,990 / $53,990)
Hybrid Calligraphy ($56,780 / $58,780)

Luxury at Hand

There is no avoiding a pleasant truth about the Hyundai Palisade: it looks and feels the part of a luxury vehicle. Its stunning exterior design dominated by front LED lighting immediately sets the tone. Elegant body sculpting, handsome character lines, and artisan wheel choices combine with metallic cladding to advance the look.

Inside, the cabin is especially beautiful, particularly with the top trims such as the Calligraphy. Our test model featured a dashboard wrapped in leather, with leather touches nearly everywhere else. The door frames, the storage compartment and, of course, the seats.

Superior Seats

The front seats are the palace chairs. Here, they heat and cool, adjust countless ways, and offer lumbar support. Beyond that, though, is a massaging feature. It may automatically activate after an hour of driving or you can turn it on manually.

In any case, the so-called “Ergo Motion Seats” utilize air pockets that supply lumbar, pelvic, and even full-body massages. Hyundai says the system uses air bladders to simulate motions for the lower back, pelvis, and the sides. We say, bring it on…it is an especially welcome feature for long drives.

Captain’s Chairs

The rest of the cabin is just as welcoming. In seven-seater models, the middle bench seat is replaced by a pair of captain’s chairs. We say go with this choice if you do not need seating for eight. It should be noted that the captain’s chairs in the Calligraphy slowly move and incline forward with a press of the button, thereby offering ease of access to the third row.

Other features of note with the Palisade include customizable ambient lighting. Rear window shades. A power tilt and telescopic steering column. Zoned climate control.

Powertrain Choices

For our test model, Hyundai sent us the Palisade Hybrid. New for this model year, the vehicle is powered by 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It comes with a pair of electric motors and standard all-wheel drive. Power routes to the wheels utilizing a 6-speed automatic transmission.
On the other hand, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 comes standard. It works with an 8-speed automatic to send power to the front or to all four wheels.

The power difference is surprising, even striking. The standard V6 makes 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the hybrid system offers maximum combined power of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. These numbers are realized under full throttle.
Depending on trim and configuration, the V6 averages between 19 and 21 mpg. Conversely, the hybrid delivers between 31 and 34 mpg combined or 29 mpg with all-wheel drive. So, the hybrid is the clear winner here with its optimum power, fuel efficiency, and overall cleanliness.

On the Road

The Palisade Hybrid is a delightful, even powerful road maven. It does everything NOT to suggest hybrid, as this SUV goes beyond a quiet start to a full-throated bellow under optimum throttle. Yes, if you need to get on a highway fast or move past slow moving traffic with authority, consider it done.

That may be one of the surprises of this vehicle – typically, a hybrid is optimized for efficiency above all else. Somehow, Hyundai added drivability, ride comfort, and performance into the equation.

Torque Vectoring Technology

The steering does not rise to the level of the Mazda CX-90 as it is light and accurate, with torque vectoring at play while cornering. We would appreciate improved handling characteristics such as precision centering control, but the overall impact is good.

On the ride quality front, the hybrid benefits from technology that minimizes vehicle pitch and shaking over bumps for a smoother ride. Given its sizeable footprint and high profile, mitigating such factors is important.

Certainly, a regenerative braking system is in place. Kinetic energy is harnessed from the brake system and sent to the batteries for replenishment. Happily, braking is not soft and spongy, but firm, thereby imbuing confidence.

Kudos to Hyundai for serving up a geared transmission. Most hybrids use a continuously variable transmission, which tempers the driving experience. The hybrid’s transmission is an improvement, even if there is some hesitation when transitioning from sedentary driving to a full throttle experience.

Standard Features

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade comes with a long list of standard features. These include:

Powertrain & Drivetrain

• 3.5L V6 producing 287 horsepower with hood insulator
• 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
• Shift-by-wire with Drive Mode Select
• Idle Stop and Go (ISG)
• Motor-driven power steering, column-mounted (C-MDPS)
• 5,000-pound towing capacity with Tow Mode
• 7-pin trailer pre-wiring
• Integrated tow hitch cover

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

• Independent front suspension; multi-link rear suspension
• Rear self-leveling suspension
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist
• Electronic parking brake with automatic hold
• Hillstart Assist Control

Wheels & Exterior Hardware

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Temporary spare tire
• Body-color outside mirrors and door handles
• Heated outside mirrors
• Shark-fin antenna

Lighting & Visibility

• Automatic on/off LED projection headlamps
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• High Beam Assist
• LED front positioning lamps
• LED rear combination lamps
• Rear spoiler with wide-type LED high-mounted stop lamp
• Flat-type wiper blades
• Rear window wiper and washer

Interior Seating & Configuration

• 2-3-3 seating configuration (eight-passenger)
• Cloth seating surfaces
• Six-way manual-adjust driver seat with height adjustment
• Six-way manual-adjust front passenger seat with height adjustment
• Second-row 60/40 split with fore/aft movement
• Third-row 60/40 fold-down seats (manual)
• Front seat seatback pockets
• Second-row adjustable armrest with cupholders

Climate & Comfort

• Three-zone automatic climate control with auto defog
• Front solar glass and rear privacy glass
• Windshield and first-row laminated acoustic glass

Interior Trim & Convenience

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with haptic feedback
• Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with audio, cruise, and phone controls
• Hydrographic interior trim
• Center console with storage compartment
• Rear lower sliding storage tray
• Storage tray above glove box
• Cargo underfloor storage
• Cargo net hooks

Displays, Infotainment & Connectivity

• 4.2-inch LCD instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch ccNc navigation system with NSCC and dynamic voice recognition
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM / HD Radio
• Alexa Assistant
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluelink+ connected car services
• Over-the-air software updates (CPU)
• In-Car Payment system
• Digital Features & Services package
• Selected Digital Mobility Features available (additional charges may apply)

Safety, Driver Assistance & Security

• Ten airbags
• Vehicle Stability Management with ESC and TCS
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Driver Attention Warning
• Forward Attention Warning (DMS camera)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist, Junction Turning, Junction
Crossing, and Direct Oncoming)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning
• Safe Exit Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse
• Highway Driving Assist
• Smart Cruise Control 2 with Emergency Stop
• Rear occupant alert (door logic)
• Rearview camera with rear camera washer
• Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters for first, second, and third-row outboard seats
• Immobilizer and alarm system

Keys, Access & Electrical

• Proximity key entry with push-button start
• Remote engine start (key fob)
• Power windows with front auto up/down
• Seven 100-watt USB-C ports (three first row, two second row, two third row)
• Two 12-volt power outlets (front and cargo)
• LED interior lamps
• Glovebox light
• Illuminated vanity mirrors with sunvisor extensions
• Dual shell horn

Cabin Communication & Convenience Tech

• Passenger Talk 2.0 with dual microphones integrated into the headliner

SEL 7P / 8P

In addition to or in place of SE equipment:

• Outside mirror turn signal indicators
• Smart power tailgate
• Bridge-type roof side rails (silver)
• H-Tex® trimmed seating surfaces with soft-touch door trim
• Eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Wireless charging pad
• Advanced Rear Occupant Alert (radar-based)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Second-row manual window curtains
• Eight-passenger seating option: second-row bench seat replaces captain’s chairs

SEL Convenience

In addition to or in place of SEL equipment:

• Power sunroof (conventional)
• Eight-way power passenger seat with lumbar support
• Digital Key 2.0 Premium (UWB capability)

SEL Premium 7P / 8P

In addition to or in place of SEL Convenience equipment:

• Driver’s seat four-way lumbar support
• Driver seat Integrated Memory System (includes mirrors)
• Auto-dimming outside mirrors with power folding
• First-row ventilated seats
• Second-row ventilated seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Homelink® garage door transmitter
• Surround View Monitor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Parking Distance Warning – Side
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse
• Ambient interior lighting
• DAB software-based lighting
• Eight-passenger seating option: second-row bench seat replaces captain’s chairs

XRT PRO

In addition to or in place of SEL Convenience equipment:

• HTRAC all-wheel drive
• Electronic limited-slip differential
• Terrain Mode Select (Snow, Mud, Sand)
• Downhill Brake Control
• Lifted suspension with increased ground clearance
• Factory-installed tow hitch
• Bose® premium audio system with 14 speakers
• 115-volt power outlet
• Surround View Monitor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Parking Distance Warning – Side
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse
• 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels
• Continental all-terrain tires
• Dark-tinted half-mirror LED daytime running lights
• Gloss black and dark chrome grille
• Black roof rails
• Black exterior door handles and mirrors
• Front and rear recovery hooks
• XRT PRO tailgate badge
• XRT-specific lower bumpers and exterior accents
• XRT-unique interior elements (console, trim, materials)
• Front ventilated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Ambient lighting and DAB software lighting

Limited

In addition to or in place of SEL Premium equipment:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Leather seating surfaces
• Dual-pane sunroof
• Factory-installed tow hitch
• Bose® premium audio system with 14 speakers
• 115-volt power outlet
• Acoustic glass for second row
• Heated third-row seats
• Power folding and sliding third-row seats
• Half-mirror LED daytime running lights
• Melange headliner and pillar trim
• Insert-film interior trim
• Gloss black lower moldings and bumper accents

Calligraphy

In addition to or in place of Limited equipment:

• Calligraphy-exclusive grille with chrome and gloss black accents
• Unique front and rear bumper accents
• Unique door garnishes and pillar finishes
• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Nappa leather seating surfaces
• Suede headliner and pillar trim
• Front relaxation seats (driver and passenger)
• Second-row captain’s chairs with relaxation mode
• Four-way power second-row seats
• Second-row wing-type headrests
• Ergo Motion driver’s seat
• Two-tone steering wheel (excludes black interior)
• 12-inch Head-Up Display
• Full-display digital inside rearview mirror
• Integrated front and rear dashcam
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 with evasive steering
• Highway Driving Assist 2
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Dynamic welcome lighting
• Auto up/down rear power windows
• Deluxe dual-lid center console
• UV-C sterilization lighting (center console)
• Aluminum door scuff plates and cargo sill plate
• Metal paint with pad-print interior trim

Hybrid Blue SEL 7P / 8P

In addition to or in place of gasoline SEL equipment:

• 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain producing 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• 4,000-pound towing capacity with Tow Mode
• Tire mobility kit in place of a compact spare tire

Hybrid Blue SEL Premium 7P / 8P

In addition to or in place of gasoline SEL Premium equipment:

Hybrid Limited

In addition to or in place of gasoline Limited equipment:

Hybrid Calligraphy

In addition to or in place of gasoline Calligraphy equipment:

All-Wheel Drive

In addition to or in place of front-wheel drive equipment:

• HTRAC all-wheel drive system
• Terrain modes (Snow, Mud, Sand)
• Downhill Brake Control

Parting Thoughts

Whether you are considering a gas or hybrid version, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a solid offering in a highly competitive market. Hyundai covers a wide range of trims, with the base model retailing around $40,000, which is the typical entry point in this segment. But it can cost as much as 50 percent more when the Calligraphy Hybrid is considered, placing this model near the top of the segment’s pricing range.

Competitive Set: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Grand Highlander, Toyota Highlander, and the Volkswagen Atlas.

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