Just a few years ago, Hyundai introduced the Palisade as its flagship SUV. The largest model in the Korean brand's lineup, the Palisade receives a complete redesign for the 2026 model year, featuring elegant new styling, more interior space, and an array of upgraded features and technology. These updates and more make the 2026 Palisade an excellent choice for comfortably transporting the whole family in luxury surroundings.
Photo: Perry Stern
There will be no mistaking the next-generation Hyundai Palisade, as its exterior design significantly differs from the previous version. The interior also features a complete refresh with sleek lines and a new dashboard that includes an integrated curved display screen. A variety of new features is available, and for the first time, Hyundai will offer the Palisade with an efficient hybrid powertrain. Hyundai also introduces the new Palisade XRT Pro for those looking to explore off the beaten path.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade (non-hybrid) is available in seven trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, SEL Premium, XRT Pro, Limited, and Calligraphy. Prices range from around $40,000 to $57,000, including the destination charge. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all trims except the XRT Pro, which is only available with all-wheel drive (AWD). For other trims, AWD adds $2,000 to the price.
Read our full preview of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade for more background and details.
For this 2026 Palisade review, Hyundai provided a test vehicle equipped with Calligraphy AWD trim and no additional options. The test vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $57,555, including the $1,495 destination charge to ship the SUV to your local dealership from the Ulsan, South Korea, assembly plant.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade boasts a new, upscale look, characterized by a broad new grille and stylish LED daytime running lights. The headlights remain hidden behind dark glass covers, which, along with the flush grille lines and sculpted hood, create a modern and clean appearance. LED taillights wrap around the corners, echoing the style at the front. For those seeking a more rugged version of the Palisade, the XRT Pro stands out with red tow hooks, a distinctive bumper and grille, increased ground clearance, and all-terrain tires.
The upscale design continues inside, where the cabin gets an entirely new look with an updated steering wheel, dashboard, and center console. Climbing inside and settling into the comfortable driver's seat, it was immediately apparent that soft curves are everywhere. Door handles, vents, controls, and even the entire dashboard lack sharp corners, creating an almost calming effect. Soft-touch surfaces and high-quality materials create a premium ambiance.
An all-new curved display is the focal point, but unlike many other screens of this type, Hyundai integrates it into the dashboard. Not only is this design more appealing, but the placement also helps reduce glare on the screen. The setup includes two 12.3-inch displays—one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for the infotainment system.
With the gear selector now located on the steering column, there is more space on the center console for a conveniently placed wireless smartphone charger, cupholders, and powerful 100-watt USB-C phone chargers. The large storage bin located under the center armrest provides ample space, and you can sterilize its contents using UV-C ultraviolet light.
The 2026 Palisade is longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, resulting in a more spacious interior with improved legroom across all three rows. Not only are the seats stylish and comfortable, but Hyundai also offers Power Relaxation Seating for front and second-row passengers, featuring a deep recline and a deployable upper-leg footrest.
There's no need to call "shotgun" when getting into the new Palisade, as sitting in the second row is just as comfortable as sitting up front. In addition to the power recline function, second-row captain's seats are available with heating and ventilation. While the Palisade comes standard with tri-zone climate control, I was surprised that there are no controls in the second row; operating the rear climate controls is done through the main dashboard interface.
My Calligraphy test vehicle came standard with power-operated rear seats that can be moved with a single button press to slide and fold the seat out of the way for access to the third row. The power slide is a nice feature, but it operates very slowly, and I found myself getting quite impatient while waiting for it to clear the way.
The third row has more space than the outgoing Palisade, but it remains tight, especially for three passengers. However, with power reclining seats and the ability for second-row passengers to slide forward for more legroom, the rear seats are not as cramped as they could be. Cupholders, USB ports, and available seat heaters further enhance the experience.
Cargo space also increases compared to the previous version, and even with all three rows in use, there is more than enough room for a few suitcases or multiple bags of groceries. Top-tier trims like my Calligraphy test vehicle feature switches to power-fold the second- or third-row seats, enhancing the Palisade's practicality.
Photo: Perry Stern
Hyundai consistently offers infotainment systems that are among the best on the market, and the new Palisade is no exception. Although the display is new for 2026, the underlying functionality remains, offering intuitive operation and a logical menu system that makes it easy to find features. A major highlight for 2026 is the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Palisade's infotainment system's excellent functionality is enhanced by physical buttons for quick navigation, which provide shortcuts to the Home screen, navigation, and media. There are also knobs for volume and tuning, which are very welcome. Enhancing ease of use is a separate climate control panel with clear and straightforward operation.
One of the most unique features of the new Palisade is its integrated dashcam, which records footage from both the front and rear of the vehicle. The dashcam provides continuous recording and can even capture incidents around the vehicle while it is parked. Recorded videos can be viewed via the infotainment display or downloaded from a Micro SD card. All recordings are stored locally.
The 2026 Palisade also comes standard with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which includes an expanded list of features for the new model year. In addition to common features such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning, all Palisades include a driver monitoring system, Safe Exit Assist, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control (ACC) that can slow the vehicle when it detects a curve ahead.
My top-tier Calligraphy came with standard Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Hyundai's most advanced semi-autonomous driving system. Behind the wheel of the Palisade on Highway 101 north of Napa, California, I activated the ACC with the speed set to 65 mph.
The HDA system provides steering input to keep the Palisade centered in the lane, maintains speed and distance to the vehicle ahead, assists with lane changes, and can come to a complete stop if necessary due to traffic conditions. While it seems HDA 2 could easily take over driving tasks, this is not a hands-free system and will shut off if it doesn't detect steering input from the driver.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade features an updated 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Except for the AWD XRT Pro, all trims come standard with FWD and offer the option to add AWD. When properly equipped, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds and is available with a factory-installed hitch receiver.
Hyundai is also offering the Palisade with its first hybrid powertrain. The Palisade Hybrid will arrive later in the year, and we will review that model separately.
While the Palisade has less power than some of its competitors, it doesn't feel underpowered. Acceleration is smooth and strong, and the large SUV has no trouble moving quickly from a stoplight, crossing a busy intersection, or passing a slower vehicle on a two-lane back road.
No matter where you're driving it, the Palisade is remarkably quiet. There's almost no wind or road noise at highway speeds or on rough roads. This is mainly thanks to the new sound-absorbing carpet and thicker acoustic glass in the windshield and front windows.
Handling is about what you'd expect from a not-so-small three-row SUV. The Palisade's steering offers good feedback, and the brakes are easy to modulate for smooth performance. As my route took me toward the coast, the Palisade handled the winding roads with confidence as long as I kept the speed in check.
I had the chance to swap my Palisade Calligraphy for the new XRT Pro, which I tested on a custom off-road course. I’m not sure how many Palisade owners are likely to venture off-road, but if they do, the XRT Pro offers capable performance, complemented by its rugged appearance. With an electronic rear limited-slip differential, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, and Continental CrossContact All-Terrain tires, the XRT Pro handled climbs and descents on loose surfaces and some pretty deep moguls without any problems.
As of this writing, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasn’t released fuel-economy ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. However, Hyundai projects the updated SUV will get 21 mpg combined with FWD and 20 mpg with AWD. During my time with the Palisade, which included both highway and city driving, the trip computer indicated an average fuel economy of 18.5 mpg. The company estimates that the upcoming Palisade Hybrid will achieve a combined fuel economy of 34 mpg.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Hyundai Palisade was already a top choice among three-row SUVs, and for 2026, updates have made the big SUV even better. With its increased interior space and a cabin that seamlessly combines technology and luxury styling, the Palisade is ideal for families seeking to travel in comfort and style.
Competitors like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Ascent each have their strengths. Still, the Palisade's sleek new design, impressive new features, and enhanced off-road capabilities, particularly with the XRT Pro, make it one of the leading options in this competitive SUV segment.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving nearly every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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