The Hyundai Palisade is a Bargain Range Rover
Appealing to full size SUV buyers from Range Rover aficionados to Ford Expedition cross-shoppers is the new Hyundai Palisade full size upscale SUV. Practical with three rows of seats, many would-be large SUV buyers will want to consider this 7 to 8 passenger vehicle. Built in South Korea, this Asian-import shows just how far "chaebol" Hyundai Motor Group has come, the driving force behind both the Palisade and its platform-mate the Kia Telluride (which is not made in Telluride, Colroado). These two vehicles have been such a smash hit, in fact, that Hyundai and Kia have been raising the price every year since they debuted in 2020 at about $33,000, and they're still selling like hotcakes. The Palisade thrashes assumptions about Korean cars, tossing the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Sephia into the rightful dustbin of automotive history.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade arrives as a fully redesigned three-row midsize SUV, positioning itself as a more upscale, technology-rich flagship for Hyundai’s family lineup. The 2nd generation stretches the formula that made the 1st Gen Palisade popular—space, comfort, and value—adding sharper styling, more advanced safety and infotainment, and the introduction of a hybrid variant with impressive range. With seating for up to eight and a focus on both refinement and practicality, it is aimed squarely at families who want a near-luxury experience without a luxury badge. (Hyundai USA)
Hyundai’s global design team describes the all-new Palisade as having a “distinctive presence” built around a robust, premium stance, and the 2026 model clearly leans into that philosophy. The exterior proportions emphasize a tall, upright profile with a strong shoulder line and confident, squared-off surfaces, while the overall shape is meant to project solidity rather than sleekness. The result is an SUV that looks substantial on the road, with a visual language consistent with Hyundai’s other recent utility vehicles but tailored to a flagship role.
The redesign is more than a facelift, as dimensions and aero work together to change how the Palisade feels on the road. The 2026 model grows about 2.5 inches in overall length and rides on a wheelbase stretched roughly 2.7 inches, improving stability and access to the third row. A bold, wide grille incorporates active aero elements, while vertical LED lighting signatures and a distinctive D-pillar treatment give the SUV a more modern, architectural look. Despite its larger presence, attention to airflow helps deliver a drag coefficient around 0.31, notable for a boxy three-row vehicle.
Under the hood of the standard 2026 Palisade sits a new 3.5-liter GDI V6, replacing the previous 3.8-liter six. Output comes in at 287 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or available HTRAC all-wheel drive, depending on trim. The slight decrease in displacement and peak power compared with the outgoing engine is offset by efficiency and drivability gains, with the updated V6 tuned to deliver smooth torque and quiet cruising that befits the Palisade’s more premium mission. (Hyundai USA)
For the first time, the Palisade line also includes a dedicated hybrid model, aimed at drivers who prioritize efficiency without sacrificing power. The 2026 Palisade Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 329 horsepower, making it the most powerful configuration in the lineup. Hyundai highlights the hybrid’s potential for over 600 miles of total driving range on a full tank, positioning it as an appealing option for long-distance travel and daily commuting alike. (Hyundai USA)
Inside, the new Palisade leans hard into upscale design cues, with an emphasis on open horizontal lines, slim vents, and carefully chosen materials across all three rows. An available seven- or eight-passenger layout allows families to prioritize either maximum seating or second-row captain’s chairs for easier access and comfort. The image gallery underscores a cabin that blends soft-touch surfaces, metallic accents, and ambient lighting with thoughtful storage solutions, reinforcing the idea that this is a family SUV designed to feel premium even when loaded with people and gear. (Hyundai USA)
Technology is a central pillar of the 2026 redesign. The Palisade adopts a pair of 12.3-inch displays that sit within a clean, more vertical dashboard, integrating a digital instrument cluster with a central touchscreen that manages navigation, audio, climate, and vehicle settings. Reports on the new model highlight a noticeable step up in standard equipment, including expanded driver-assistance systems and convenience features, making the Palisade feel thoroughly modern even in its lower trims.
Hyundai organizes the 2026 Palisade into a wide range of trims, from value-focused SE and SEL models to richly equipped Calligraphy versions and more adventurous variants. Among the latter, the new XRT Pro trim stands out with HTRAC all-wheel drive, extra ground clearance, terrain modes, an electronic limited-slip differential, and functional trail-ready touches such as recovery hooks. This gives the three-row SUV credible light off-road capability, appealing to drivers who want a family hauler that can also handle rougher roads and outdoor weekends. (Hyundai USA)
Early driving impressions of the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy suggest that the redesign pushes the SUV very close to true luxury territory in terms of comfort and ride quality. Reviewers note that the new V6 feels slightly strained by the added weight compared with the previous generation, but the chassis tuning, sound insulation, and seat comfort help offset that tradeoff. The consensus is that the Palisade delivers a calm, composed driving experience that prioritizes quietness and smoothness over outright speed, aligning well with its role as a long-distance family vehicle.
Pricing reflects the added content and sophistication, with the 2026 Palisade starting just above $40,000 for the base V6 SE and climbing into the mid-$50,000 range for higher Calligraphy trims, while hybrid variants command a modest premium. Analysts point out that the longer wheelbase, upgraded cabin, added safety tech, and optional hybrid powertrain help justify the increase over the previous model year, and some observers argue that the Palisade could easily command even more given its feature set. In a crowded field of three-row crossovers, the redesigned 2026 Palisade looks poised to compete on value, comfort, and technology all at once.
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