2026 Hyundai Palisade Review — Bigger, Bolder, and Still the Family Favorite

Still the benchmark for family hauling comfort and value.

2026 Hyundai Palisade front three-quarter exterior

Hyundai’s original Palisade was a smash hit with families, and it’s easy to see why. It delivered premium space, a quiet ride, and great value. For 2026, Hyundai didn’t rest on its laurels. They’ve given it a thorough redesign, making it bigger in every key dimension and adding the hybrid powertrain many were asking for. We spent considerable time with the new model, and it solidifies the Palisade’s position as the sensible, spacious, and now more efficient choice in the three-row crossover segment.

At a Glance: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Specs

2026 Hyundai Palisade 2026 Kia Telluride —— $38,935 ~$37,000 3.5L V6 / 2.5L Turbo Hybrid 3.8L V6 287 hp / 329 hp (hybrid) 291 hp 260 lb-ft / 339 lb-ft (hybrid) 262 lb-ft 8-spd auto / 6-spd auto (hybrid) 8-spd auto FWD / AWD available FWD / AWD available ~8.0 sec ~7.2 sec 21 mpg (V6) / 34 mpg (hybrid) 21 mpg Up to 8 Up to 8 86.7 cu ft 87.0 cu ft The specs tell the story. The Palisade’s hybrid powertrain is a game-changer for fuel economy, easily beating the V6-only Telluride. Its cavernous interior keeps pace with the Kia and handily beats the Mazda CX-90. The Toyota Grand Highlander offers more max cargo space, but the Palisade fights back with a more refined cabin and that unbeatable warranty.

Design and Exterior

Hyundai debuted the 2026 Palisade at the 2025 New York auto show with the tagline "Bigger, Better, Further." After seeing it in person, we can confirm that’s not marketing fluff. The new model sits on a longer wheelbase and is both longer and wider, giving it a more commanding road presence. The design has matured from handsome to genuinely distinctive.

The front end is where you’ll notice the biggest change. A wider, more angular grille sits between slim LED daytime running lights that sweep toward the fenders. It creates a light signature that’s uniquely Hyundai. On higher trims, the matrix LED headlights throw a sharp, clean beam down the road. From the side, a pronounced character line runs the length of the body, and the squared-off wheel arches give it a planted, muscular stance that rounder rivals like the Grand Highlander lack.

Wheel options range from 18-inch alloys to 20-inch units on the Calligraphy. The larger wheels fill the arches nicely without ruining the ride quality. Out back, a full-width LED taillight bar gives it a clean, modern look. A subtle roof spoiler adds a bit of visual interest without trying too hard. Hyundai managed to make a family hauler look upscale without resorting to flashy gimmicks.

Park it next to its platform-mate, the Telluride, and the Palisade reads as the more premium vehicle. Park it next to the stylish CX-90, and the Hyundai holds its own in curb appeal while promising more usable space inside.

Powertrain and Performance

You get two powertrain choices in the 2026 Palisade. The standard option is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 making 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It hooks up to an eight-speed automatic. It’s a smooth, proven combo carried over from the previous model with some calibration tweaks. Power delivery is linear and predictable. You won’t win stoplight races, but you’ll never feel underpowered merging onto the highway.

The main event for 2026 is the new hybrid. It pairs a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with two electric motors for a combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic sends that power to the wheels. That’s 42 more horses and 79 extra lb-ft versus the V6, and you feel it immediately. The hybrid has more urgency off the line and a strong wave of mid-range torque that makes passing effortless. It’s a traditional hybrid, not a plug-in, so there’s no EV-only range. But the electrification works quietly and efficiently in the background.

Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is available for both powertrains. It shuffles torque front-to-rear as needed, giving you confident traction in wet or snowy conditions without a big penalty in daily driving feel. Towing capacity is 5,000 lbs with the V6 and 4,000 lbs with the hybrid. That’s enough for a decent-sized boat or a couple of personal watercraft.

On the road, the Palisade drives exactly like a family crossover should. The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up bumps and rough pavement with a calm, composed ride that keeps passengers happy over long distances. There’s some body roll in corners, but it’s well-managed. The steering is light and easy in parking lots, and it firms up nicely at highway speeds. This isn’t a vehicle that encourages backroad hustling. The CX-90 is much more engaging to drive. But the Palisade does what most families need with quiet competence. The V6 hits 60 mph in about 8.0 seconds, which is adequate.

Interior, Tech and Comfort

Climb inside the 2026 Palisade and you’re greeted by a pair of 12.3-inch screens stretching across the dash. The left one acts as your digital gauge cluster, the right is the central touchscreen. The setup looks modern and clean. Graphics are sharp, and the system responds quickly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard everywhere, and they’re wireless so you can leave your phone in your pocket or bag.

Below the screen, Hyundai wisely kept physical buttons for climate control and volume. We’re big fans of this. Too many rivals bury these functions in menus, forcing you to look away from the road. The Palisade lets you adjust the temp or change a song with a quick touch. A wireless charging pad sits in the center console, and USB-C ports are sprinkled through all three rows so everyone can keep their devices charged.

Material quality has taken a real step up. Higher trims get quilted leather, open-pore wood, and soft-touch surfaces on nearly everything you touch. Even the mid-level SEL feels solidly built, with tight panel gaps and a sense of quality that used to be reserved for luxury brands. Noise isolation is excellent. Highway cruising is hushed, with minimal wind and road noise. Hyundai clearly invested in acoustic glass and extra sound deadening, and it pays off on long drives.

Available tech includes a great Harman Kardon premium audio system, a Surround View Monitor for parking, and Hyundai’s Blind-Spot View Monitor. That last one puts a live camera feed of your blind spot in the instrument cluster when you use the turn signal. It sounds like a gimmick until you use it in heavy traffic. There’s also a Driver Talk intercom that lets front-row passengers speak to the third row through the rear speakers. It’s a simple, brilliant feature for parents tired of shouting.

Third Row and Cargo: The Family Test

A three-row SUV lives or dies by its third row. The Palisade makes a strong case. You get seating for up to eight with a second-row bench, or you can opt for captain’s chairs that drop capacity to seven but make the second row more comfortable and third-row access easier. With captain’s chairs, the second row offers 40.7 inches of legroom—plenty for adults to stretch out on long trips. A power-sliding feature lets you trade some second-row space to give the third row more legroom.

That third row measures 31.4 inches of legroom. That’s competitive for the class but not the best. Adults of average height will fit fine for short trips—a 30-minute drive to dinner or a two-hour ride to the grandparents’ place. Much longer than that, and taller folks will start fidgeting. The available power-folding, sliding, and reclining third row is a real luxury at this price point. Heated third-row seats are available, along with dedicated USB-C ports and larger windows that let in more light and cut down on the cave-like feeling you get in many third rows.

Cargo space is generous. You get 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row—enough for a stroller and some groceries. Fold the third row and that expands to 46.3 cubic feet. Drop the second row too and you get 86.7 cubic feet total. That trails the Toyota Grand Highlander’s 97.5 cubic feet but matches the Kia Telluride and easily beats the Mazda CX-90’s 75.2 cubic feet. Packing for a week at the beach? The Palisade has the room.

2026 Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is Better?

This is the head-to-head comparison shoppers keep asking about. They’re at the top of the class, but they take very different approaches.

Let’s start with price. The Palisade SEL starts at $41,035, while the CX-90 begins at $40,330. That’s a difference of about $700—basically a rounding error in this segment. The real pricing talk happens at the top, where both can crest $52,000. But a loaded Palisade Calligraphy usually undercuts a comparably equipped CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus.

Their engine philosophies are worlds apart. The Palisade uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. It’s smooth, refined, and time-tested. The CX-90 brings a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid assist. In Turbo S tune, the Mazda makes 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, dwarfing the Palisade V6’s 287 hp and 260 lb-ft. That advantage shows on the stopwatch: the CX-90 Turbo S hits 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds, while the Palisade V6 needs around 8.0. Even the base CX-90 Turbo is quicker.

Fuel economy also leans Mazda’s way for the conventional powertrains. The CX-90 gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. The Palisade V6 manages 21 mpg combined in front-drive form. If fuel efficiency with a traditional engine is your top priority, the CX-90 wins. But the Palisade hybrid changes everything—it gets up to 34 mpg combined in front-drive form. So the comparison really depends on which Palisade you’re looking at.

Interior space is where the Palisade pulls ahead. Front-row legroom is 44.2 inches versus the Mazda’s 41.7. The second row tells a similar story: 40.7 inches versus 39.4. Those differences sound small on a spec sheet, but in person, the Palisade feels noticeably roomer. The third row is tighter in the CX-90, and getting to it is harder because of the Mazda’s sportier roofline.

Safety credentials are close. Both earned five-star overall ratings from NHTSA and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designations. The Palisade’s TSP+ applies to models built after November 2025. Both come loaded with active safety tech. Neither has a clear edge here.

Warranty is a different story, and it’s the Palisade’s trump card. Hyundai offers a five-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle warranty and a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Mazda’s powertrain warranty matches Hyundai’s bumper-to-bumper coverage but stops at five years and 60,000 miles. For families who keep their cars for the long haul, that difference is huge.

Finally, there’s how they drive. The CX-90 is the sportier one. Its rear-biased all-wheel drive, well-weighted steering, and firm suspension make it more engaging. The Palisade is a plush family cruiser. Its softer suspension absorbs broken pavement better, its cabin is quieter at speed, and its lighter steering makes parking easier. Neither approach is wrong. They just serve different buyers.

<div style="background:linear-gradient(135deg,#f0f9ff,#e0f2fe); border-left:4px solid #2563eb; border-radius:12px; padding:24px 28px; margin:32px 0"> <p style="font-size:12px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.14em; text-transform:uppercase; color:#1e40af; margin:0 0 10px">Which one is better?</p> <p><strong>Buy the Palisade if</strong> you want maximum space, a plush ride, the longest powertrain warranty in the class, and a relaxed family-friendly drive.</p> <p><strong>Buy the CX-90 if</strong> you want a sportier, more powerful driving experience, a more premium-feeling cabin, and better fuel economy in everyday driving.</p> <p><strong>Our pick</strong> for most US families is the 2026 Palisade — it nails the brief on space, value, technology, and long-term peace of mind.</p> </div>

Safety and Warranty

The 2026 Palisade earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for models built after November 2025. That top IIHS rating requires strong performance across all crash tests, including the tougher new side-impact test that has tripped up some competitors.

Every Palisade comes with Hyundai SmartSense, a full suite of active safety tech. This includes forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning, lane departure warning, rear occupant alert, and high beam assist. Upper trims add a Surround View Monitor and the Blind-Spot View Monitor, which shows a live camera feed of your blind spot when you signal. It feels like a gimmick at first, but after using it in traffic, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Hyundai’s warranty is the strongest in the segment. The new-vehicle limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty stretches to ten years or 100,000 miles. Anti-perforation coverage runs seven years with no mileage limit, and roadside assistance is free for five years. For families who plan to keep their vehicle past the typical five-year ownership cycle, that powertrain warranty offers real, long-term peace of mind that competitors from Mazda, Toyota, and even Kia can’t match.

Fuel Economy and Real-World Running Costs

The V6 Palisade gets EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway, and 21 combined with front-wheel drive. Choose all-wheel drive and those numbers drop to 18, 24, and 20 combined. These figures are competitive among V6 three-row SUVs—the Telluride posts the same numbers—but they trail the CX-90 and the turbocharged Grand Highlander.

The hybrid changes the math completely. In front-drive form, the Palisade Hybrid achieves 33 mpg city, 35 highway, and 34 combined. All-wheel drive lowers those to 29, 30, and 29 respectively, but even the AWD hybrid is much more efficient than any V6 competitor. The hybrid adds about $3,000 to $4,000 to the price of a comparable V6 trim. At current gas prices, most owners will make that back in three to four years of average driving. For families putting on 15,000 or more miles a year, the hybrid is the smarter financial move from the start.

Pricing and Trims

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade starts at $38,935 for the SE trim. Most buyers will step up to the SEL at $41,035, which adds the kind of features families expect—leather seating, a power liftgate, better infotainment. From there, you move up through the SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. The top-spec Calligraphy can easily crest $50,000 when you add options.

The hybrid powertrain adds roughly $3,000 to $4,000 to each trim’s price. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you drive and how long you keep your cars. High-mileage families will recoup the cost in a few years and keep saving after that.

Against the competition, the Palisade slots in neatly. The Kia Telluride starts a few thousand dollars lower, making it the budget pick if you don’t need the Palisade’s fancier interior or extra tech. The Toyota Grand Highlander starts at a similar price but offers more max cargo space. The CX-90 is priced in the same ballpark but is a different kind of vehicle. We think the Palisade’s sweet spot is the SEL with the hybrid—it gives you the space, tech, and efficiency most families want without jumping to luxury-brand prices.

Who Should Buy the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

Buy it.

BUY IT IF: – You need a genuinely spacious three-row crossover with a usable third row, generous cargo capacity, and room for the whole family plus luggage. – You value long-term ownership confidence — Hyundai’s ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is unmatched in the segment. – You want a comfortable, quiet, tech-rich family hauler that does not punish you on long road trips.

SKIP IT IF: – You prioritize driving engagement and want a three-row SUV that feels sporty from behind the wheel — the CX-90 is the better driver’s car. – You need maximum cargo volume above all else — the Toyota Grand Highlander offers nearly 98 cubic feet to the Palisade’s 86.7. – Your budget is firmly under $38,000 — the Kia Telluride undercuts the Palisade at the entry level.

Verdict: Our Final Take

We rate the 2026 Hyundai Palisade a 4.5 out of 5. It earns that by excelling at what matters most to families: space, ride comfort, technology, safety, and long-term value. The hybrid was the missing piece, giving buyers an efficient option without giving up capability. The cabin is a highlight—quiet, well-made, and full of smart touches like the Driver Talk intercom and USB-C ports in every row.

Where it falls just short of perfection is in driving character and max cargo space. Enthusiast drivers will prefer the CX-90, and families needing every last cubic foot will lean toward the Grand Highlander. But very few three-row buyers are shopping for driving thrills, and 86.7 cubic feet of cargo room is plenty for real-world family duty.

For most American families shopping in this segment, the 2026 Palisade is the right call. It’s comfortable, capable, efficient with the hybrid, backed by the best warranty around, and priced fairly. It does nearly everything well and nothing poorly. That’s a tough combination to beat.

FAQs

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade hybrid worth the premium over the V6?

For most families, absolutely. The hybrid costs about $3,000 to $4,000 more than the equivalent V6 but gets up to 34 mpg combined versus 21 mpg. That saves you hundreds each year in fuel. You also get more horsepower and torque, so you’re getting better performance and better efficiency for that price bump. If you drive a lot, you’ll make back the premium in three to four years.

How does the 2026 Palisade compare to the Mazda CX-90?

The CX-90 is quicker, gets better fuel economy with its base engine, and is more fun to drive. The Palisade fights back with a roomier interior, especially in the second and third rows, a plusher ride, and a much longer powertrain warranty—ten years or 100,000 miles versus Mazda’s five years or 60,000. For most families, the Palisade’s space and warranty advantages are worth more than the CX-90’s performance edge.

What is the cargo space in the 2026 Palisade?

You get 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down. That’s on par with the Kia Telluride and way more than the Mazda CX-90. It does trail the Toyota Grand Highlander’s max of 97.5 cubic feet, though.

Does the 2026 Palisade come with all-wheel drive?

Front-wheel drive is standard on every trim. Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is an option for both the V6 and hybrid. It adds sure-footed traction in rain, snow, and light off-road situations without a big hit to fuel economy or ride quality.

What warranty does the 2026 Palisade come with?

Hyundai backs the Palisade with a five-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty, a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a seven-year unlimited-mileage anti-perforation warranty, and five years of free roadside assistance. That powertrain coverage is the longest in the three-row SUV class and one of the best in the business.

Is the third row in the 2026 Palisade really usable for adults?

It depends on the adult. With 31.4 inches of legroom, average-height adults can sit comfortably for trips under two hours or so. Taller passengers will find it a squeeze, and long highway drives will get uncomfortable. The available power-reclining and heated third row helps, but this is still a mid-size crossover, not a full-size SUV. For kids and teens, it’s perfectly fine.