2026 Hyundai Palisade Road Test and Review

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

The all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a three-row SUV with seating for up to eight. It’s now available with gas or hybrid powertrains, although the hybrid is arriving later this year. The Palisade received a significant interior and exterior makeover that includes relaxation seats, a dual-camera dash cam, and the first-ever XRT Pro trim.

It’s ideal for family road trips or light off-road adventures, with an abundance of features competitive with higher-end rivals. The Palisade prioritizes comfort and technology. Whether you're navigating city streets or exploring off the beaten path, it’s a great companion to busy family life.

Striking Exterior Design

The new look of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade includes a striking front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights and a horizontal center light, framing a bold grille with active airflow shutters. The rear has equally striking lighting with vertical tail lights that give the Palisade a distinctive look, especially at night.

It’s 2.5 inches longer overall with a 2.7-inch longer wheelbase that enhances its bold profile. A choice of 10 colors include everything from a somber Abyss Black Pearl to an eye-catching Earthy Brass Matte that we loved. The Palisade’s exterior is sophisticated and upscale.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Luxurious Interior Comfort

The Palisade’s interior is an absolute refuge from the world with rich materials and an airy, open design and plenty of soft-touch materials. We drove the top Calligraphy trim, which has a genuine luxury vibe. It’s roomy, even in the third row, which offers a unique power-sliding function. Slide it back for more passenger room or forward for more cargo space. Relaxation seats with extended recline and leg supports and heated and ventilated second-row seats ensure the whole family is comfy.

The center console includes a deep storage compartment, open lower storage tray, and a Qi wireless charging pad. A Bose 14-speaker audio system fills the space with sound, and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen provides easy access to navigation and a wide range of features. The Palisade’s interior blends practicality with a near-luxury look and feel, perfect for extended family adventures.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Smooth Power Delivery

The 2026 Palisade’s 3.5-liter V6 gas engine delivers 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers good power suited to a family SUV making highway merges effortless. However, under hard acceleration, the transmission occasionally hunts for gears, slightly disrupting an otherwise seamless experience.

Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, the Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. It’s ready for family adventures with the comfort and features to make long drives relaxing for passengers and enough power to make it easy on the driver.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Confident Ride Dynamics

The Palisade’s ride and handling are significantly improved, offering a smooth, composed experience for passengers. On twisting roads, it shows off precise steering with minimal body roll, making you forget that it’s a big three-row SUV. The suspension system delivers a well-mannered ride that makes it easy to relax. Whether cruising highways or navigating urban streets, the Palisade is a great family cruiser.

Available all-wheel drive and a choice of drive modes enhances its versatility to handle whatever life throws your way. The Palisade is a well-rounded family vehicle that prioritizes comfort in a responsive and attractive SUV.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

XRT Pro Off-Road

The Palisade boasts the first-ever XRT Pro, which takes capability up a notch from old XRT trim. Its 8.4 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and electronic rear limited-slip differential provide confident traction on steep inclines and descents, which we tested at on off-road course. It performed well with downhill braking control to the brakes and throttle so you can focus on steering during steeper descents. This low-speed-only feature is especially helpful for new off-roaders.

While not built for extreme off-roading, the XRT Pro is still capable, proving itself across dirt moguls and up steep trails with lose dirt and rocks. Canyon Red recovery hooks in the front and back add visual punch while being functional. This trim is perfect for families seeking adventure without compromising on comfort.

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro ・ Photo by Hyundai

Versatile Cargo Space

The 2026 Palisade offers impressive cargo versatility. It features a roomy interior that adapts to family needs. There’s 18 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 86.4 cubic feet behind the first row. The power-sliding third row lets you expand cargo room when needed.

A maximum tow rating of up to 5,000 pounds adds even more versatility. There’s a low load floor and wide cargo opening for managing bulky items with a hands-free liftgate for easier loading. It’s a practical choice for families balancing daily travels and weekend adventures.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Advanced Tech Suite

The Palisade has a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There’s an available Bose 14-speaker audio system for immersive sound and a 12-inch head-up display. Multiple USB-C ports and a Qi wireless charger keep devices powered.

A dual-camera dash cam, a Hyundai first, records while driving or parked for added peace of mind. There are also over-the-air updates to ensure the system stays current. It’s a tech-rich cabin that keeps the whole family connected.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Comprehensive Safety Features

Ten standard airbags include side-curtains covering the third row along with new third-row seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite includes forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. The advanced rear occupant alert monitors for children, alerting drivers via Bluelink if movement is detected to help ensure no one is left behind.

The Calligraphy and XRT Pro trims add a surround view monitor and blind spot view monitor for better visibility. The rigid structure featuring advanced high strength steel boosts crash protection. These comprehensive safety features make the Palisade a top pick for families prioritizing safety and security.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy ・ Photo by Hyundai

Competitive Pricing Options

The 2026 Palisade gas lineup starts with the front-wheel-drive SE trim at $38,935 with the top-tier Calligraphy coming in at $54,060. All-wheel-drive trims range from $40,935 to $54,060, including the new XRT Pro at $49,370. The Palisade is a true value with more features than expected for its price no matter the trim.

The late-arriving hybrid also gets affordable pricing. It ranges from $43,660 to $56,280 with front-wheel drive or $45,660 to $58,280 with all-wheel drive. Once again, the Palisade proves itself quite competitive in the three-row SUV segment. It has the features and comfort to make family life easy at a price point you can afford.

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro ・ Photo by Hyundai