The Hyundai Palisade has been a runaway hit for the South Korean brand ever since its introduction in 2020. For the 2026 model year, it enters a new generation with bold new looks and an overall bigger size. So is this Palisade even better than the old one?
Performance
Engine – For the first time, the 2026 Hyundai palisade is available with two powertrain options. The standard engine is a new 3.5L V6 while the optional engine is a 2.5L turbocharged hybrid. In this review, I drove the V6.
The new naturally aspirated V6 in the Palisade has less displacement than before and a little bit less power. It now produces 287 hp & 260 lb-ft (214 kW & 352 Nm). On top of that, this new Palisade is heavier by about 225 kg (496 lbs). That means this new one is a bit slower to accelerate than the previous version. On city streets, that’s not a problem because it doesn’t feel as though the new engine is straining. But when accelerating onto a highway, overtaking on a highway, or going up a steep hill, don’t be surprised to see the tachometer needle hit 4,000 or even 5,000 rpms. The maximum towing capacity remains at 5,000 lbs just like before.
Fuel Economy – making things worse is that this new smaller engine returns worse fuel economy than before. It’s rated for 13.4 L/100km (17.5 MPG) in a city and 10 L/100km (23.5 MPG) on a highway. If you opt for the XRT Pro trim, the fuel economy further drops to 14.3 L/100km (16.4 MPG) in a city and 10.6 L/100km (22.2 MPG) on a highway. This is perhaps due to the less aerodynamic body of the XRT trim and the all-terrain tires. During my time with both Palisades, I averaged 13.8 L/100km (17 MPG). This was mostly city driving but a few highway-only drives as well.
Transmission – Paired with the V6 is an 8-speed automatic transmission. This 8-speed changes gears very smoothly which is the top priority in a family SUV such as this. However, it is slow to react to driver inputs. Whether you push the throttle to the bottom or use the paddle shifters in Sport mode, it takes a good second for the transmission to react. Best to just leave it in “D” and plan those overtake moves in advance.
Braking – The brakes on these SUVs are nothing special or extraordinary. They are normal brakes, which help with reduced costs, and they have enough stopping power to bring the big SUVs to a stop. The brake pedal feels firm and is easy to modulate for smooth stops.
Handling – The Hyundai Palisade was not made to have the same driving dynamics as the Mazda CX-90 or Acura MDX. Having said that, it feels planted and composed around corners. The steering firms up as the speed builds but it’s light enough at slow speeds for easy parking. There is some body roll through corners but it’s not overly dramatic.
Both of these SUVs also have self leveling suspension. Don’t get fooled though, they do not have air suspension or any sort of external hydraulic system. The rear shocks have two reservoirs with different valves that allows for the fluid to move between them depending on how much cargo is in the SUV. They do not react immediately and instead require the SUV to drive for a bit so that the movement of the shock redirects the fluid from one reservoir to another. From the few articles on the web explaining this system and from owners on forums, this system doesn’t raise the back end by that much but it does help in preventing the back end from bottoming out when the SUV is loaded and driving over big bumps.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – One area where the 2026 Hyundai Palisade really shines is with the quality of the ride. It is incredibly smooth over rough roads. It may not have air suspension or adaptive dampers but the ride it delivers is almost like those in luxury SUVs. Even with the addition of the all-terrain tires on the XRT trim, it too delivered an exceptional ride like the Calligraphy trim.
Further aiding to the comfort while driving are the front seats. For my body type, they provided ample padding and support on those long commutes to and from work. Additionally, the Calligraphy trim adds an Ergo Motion function. It’s not quite a massaging seat but rather it prevents your back or butt from becoming numb on longer journeys.
Interior Space – The new Palisade is slightly larger than before which means a bit more occupant space. In the front, I had no issues for my above average height of 6’4”. There was loads of headroom and legroom. In the second row, space is a bit less than the front but it’s still more than enough for my height behind my tall driving position. The 2nd row is available with bench seats or captain’s chairs but that depends on the trim. In the Calligraphy, the captain’s chairs are power operated and can recline (along with the front seats too) but in the XRT Pro trim, they’re manually adjustable and do not have the recline function. Getting into the 3rd row is easy but it takes a bit longer in the top spec trim due to the power operated 2nd row seats. They take a while to slide and tilt forwards. Whereas in the XRT, a push of a button will spring them forward. Once you’re in the 3rd row, headroom is Ok but not the best in class. As for legroom, it depends on how generous the person in the 2nd row is. If they move their seat all the way back, your knees will be right against the back of the 2nd row seat. For someone as tall as me, it’s a bit tight back there but for shorter individuals, it should be fine for shorter journeys. Additionally in the Calligraphy trim, the 3rd row seats can tilt and slide, albeit only a bit.
Behind all rows of seats, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade has 540 L (19 cu-ft) of cargo space which is a slight improvement over the outgoing model. With the 3rd row seats folded, cargo capacity increases to 1,310 L (46.3 cu-ft). In the Calligraphy trim, there are buttons to the side that allow you to choose which seats to raise or lower across the 3rd or 2nd rows. With the 2nd & 3rd rows folded, the 2026 Palisade has 2,455 L (86.7 cu-ft) of cargo space. Under the trunk floor, there is a little bit of storage space and both trims receive spare wheels behind the bumper.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Another major improvement for the 2026 Palisade is the cabin noise, or rather, lack of cabin noise. Wind noise is non-existent, tire noise is a whisper and the engine is remarkably quiet under normal driving conditions. At higher rpms, noise from it is more noticeable. Additionally, the auto start/stop system is very smooth. It does not jerk the car when it turns the engine on. At times, it’s so quiet in the cabin it almost feels like the Palisade is an electric SUV.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2026 Hyundai Palisade starts at $53,699 CAD for the Preferred Trend trim. In the United States, the lowest trim of the Palisade is the SE trim which starts at $39,435 USD. Here in Canada, AWD is standard while in the USA, it is optional on all but the XRT Pro trim.
Speaking of which, the XRT Pro starts at $57,799 CAD ($49,870 USD) and the Calligraphy trim will cost you $62,499 CAD ($54,560 USD).
Gadgets – Here in Canada, the entry-level 2026 Hyundai Palisade has quite a few convenience features such as a wireless phone charging pad, heated front & 2nd row seats, a heated steering wheel, and 20-inch wheels among others.
But if you want your Palisade brimming with gadgets, then the Calligraphy trim is for you. As I mentioned earlier, this trim has power operated seats across all three rows with the 1st and 2nd having a relaxation mode where the seats recline for a relaxed seating position. The front two rows also have heating and ventilating with the 3rd row having heated outboard seats. There’s also a head-up display, dual sunroofs, a rear camera mirror, surround view cameras, soft Nappa upholstery, a UV cleaner for your smartphone, BOSE audio system with 14 speakers, and a built-in front & rear dashcam.
Interior Design – The cabin of the new palisade looks upscale and premium. That is, depending on which trim you choose. The XRT Pro has more plastics than the Calligraphy which doesn’t provide the same premium feeling. Whereas in the top spec trim, leather lines the dashboard, center console, and door panels. There’s also a fabric material that extends from the center to the far right side of the dashboard which is illuminated by the ambient lighting system at night.
As for the functionality, the Palisade uses mostly physical buttons. Some commonly used infotainment functions, such as navigation, radio, settings, and so on, are physical controls just under the touchscreen. There are also two large dials for climate temperature but the rest of the climate controls are displayed on a small touchscreen. Overall, the Palisade has a good blend of physical and touchscreen controls that should be followed by more manufacturers.
Exterior Design – “Striking” would be a good word to describe the exterior of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The overall shape is boxier than before but it still has a few subtle curves. It’s not a Cybertruck after all. The front daytime running lights and rear taillights look like they belong in the Blade Runner universe. The back is also reminiscent, a little bit, of a Range Rover and I love the look of the spoiler mounted brake light. As for the XRT, it gains red tow hooks, it has slightly more ground clearance, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, and a slightly different grille without any active aero shutters. This trim was made to look more rugged but mechanically, it’s not different from the other trims.
Safety – The standard 2026 Hyundai Palisade is available with just about every safety & driver aid that can be equipped on this SUV. Moving up to the XRT Pro trim adds reverse parking collision avoidance, side parking distance warning, and blind view monitor. Moving up to the Calligraphy adds blind spot collision avoidance, highway driving assist 2, and remote park assist. This allows you to move the car forwards or backwards into a tight parking spot without anyone in the car. Simply use the remote start function and then press & hold on either the forward or backwards buttons on the key fob to make the car move. It will automatically stop if it detects an object or if the key fob is too far away from the car.
Warranty – The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is covered by a 5 year / 100,000 km new vehicle and powertrain warranty. In the United States, the basic warranty is 5 years / 60,000 miles and the powertrain warranty is 10 years / 100,000 miles. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, The new Hyundai Palisade is better than before but it has a couple of downfalls. First, it is more expensive than before but that’s par for the course as most new cars are more expensive than they were 2 or 3 years ago. Second, the new V6 is less powerful than before and the Palisade is heavier than before so you’ll have to press harder on that throttle pedal which will consume more fuel. Thankfully, there’s a new hybrid option, the SUV is quieter, more comfortable, bigger, and full of tech.
Thank you to Hyundai Canada for providing the Palisade. www.HyundaiCanada.com
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Gallery
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro Gallery
