Latest News
2026 Honda Ridgeline Review2026 Hyundai Palisade Review
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade blends with V6 powertrains, generous tech, and premium touches to deliver a refined, family-friendly experience.
Overview
The newest generation of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade blends a boxier design with advanced tech and good comfort into one family-focused SUV. With three rows of seating, V6 power, and upscale features, it has versatility and style for drivers who want both.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.75/10
Powertrain
Score
8.75/10
Interior
Score
8.5/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
8.5/10
2026 Hyundai Palisade Powertrain 8.5/10
The 2026 Palisade kicks off the second generation of the SUV, but it also sticks with a proven 3.8L V6 producing 291 horsepower (hp) and 262 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive is available. Ride quality leans toward comfort, soaking up most bumps with ease. Don’t expect sporty handling, though. This Palisade is predictable, which isn’t a bad thing.
Fuel economy is estimated at 19 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 26 MPG on the highway – pretty standard for the mid-size crossover segment. That’s the same fuel economy it had when we were ranking 2024 SUVs by gas mileage, too. Towing maxes out 5,000 lbs — making the Palisade capable of bringing a small camper or boat along for some adventures.
Hyundai has also released a Palisade Hybrid for 2026. It combines a 2.5L turbo four-cylinder with electric motors to deliver 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is the big win here with up to 33 MPG city / 35 MPG highway on FWD models. But take note that its towing capacity drops to 4,000 lbs.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Interior 8.75/10
The 2026 Palisade can certainly feel (and get to the level of) upscale. Materials range from durable cloth in base trims to quilted leather in higher trims. Three rows of seating accommodate seven or eight passengers, with generous second-row legroom and an adult-friendly third-row that boasts 32.1 inches of legroom.
Cargo space measures about 18 cu-ft behind the third row and expands to roughly 86 cu-ft with seats folded. That’s solid, but rivals like the Honda Pilot (87 cu-ft) and Toyota Grand Highlander (a massive 97.5 cu-ft) give families more room for gear and belongings.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Technology 8.75/10
The interior is also nicely equipped with thoughtful amenities like power-folding third-row seats, multiple USB connections, and power-slide reclining rear seats. Up front is a 12.3-inch infotainment display that’s easy enough to navigate. A Wi-Fi hotspot is handy for mobile users. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can also be connected throughout the cabin. On higher trims, a 14-speaker Bose audio system is available.
Safety and driver-assistance gear is also comprehensive with a rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision-avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control standard across the lineup. Parking collision avoidance, a blind-spot view monitor, and remote parking assist come into play after around that $45,000 price point.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Value 8.5/10
Pricing begins around $40,000 for the entry-level SE trim, but we’d recommend going up to at least the SEL. Then, you’ll get the auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless device charging, and rear side-window shades for backseat passengers. Plus, it’s got a lot more comfort with second-row captain’s chairs, heated front seats, and driver seats with eight-way power and two-way lumbar support.
Moving up to the SEL hybrid option automatically starts you at over $44,000. It gets you the basics and then some, including one-touch second-row sliding seats, the 12.3-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, hands-free Bluetooth, and the standard SmartSense safety suite. From strictly a budgetary perspective, we’d recommend staying there – unless another $3,000 or so is worth the leather-trimmed seats, dual panel sunroof, heated third-row seats, third-row power folding seats, and the 14-speaker Bose stereo system.
At the top, the Calligraphy adds ultimate comfort with an Ergo-Motion driver’s seat, front-row relaxation mode, second-row power adjustable seats, a digitally displayed rearview mirror, a Head-up Display, and a built-in dash cam. Definitely some cool features, but more like ‘nice-to-haves’ than necessities, especially at that price.
We also can’t overlook Hyundai’s great warranties. Between the five-year or 60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited warranty and the 10-year or 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited warranty, you’ve already got some extra assurances. It doesn’t end there, though. There’s also a seven-year/unlimited-mile Anti-perforation warranty and five years/unlimited miles of 24/7 roadside assistance.
Trims & Pricing
2026 Hyundai Palisade Final Score 8.75/10
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a solid choice for any families who want a three-row SUV with good space, updated technology, multiple engine options, and the option of luxury. It’s well-suited for daily use, road trips, and some light hauling without getting overwhelmed. The Palisade scores well most areas, but if maximum cargo capacity or hybrid fuel economy are your highest priorities, the Toyota Grand Highlander is a compelling alternative. We haven’t done a full review of the 2026 model yet, but our 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander review left us impressed.
