2026 Hyundai Palisade

South Korea's largest automaker introduced its first pickup truck, the Santa Cruz, in the 2022 model year welcoming a new breed of shopper into Hyundai dealerships. In the 2026 model year, its largest five-door crossover, the flagship Palisade, undergoes a next-generation effort while simultaneously introducing its most capable off-road trim level for those who seek pleasure off the beaten pavement path in the form of XRT Pro.  

The first-generation Palisade debuted in the 2020 model year with a single V-6 engine and three rows of seating standard and soon vaulted into a top seller. For the last two calendar years, sales topped 100,000 units in the U.S. The Hyundai brand boasts multiple models topping 100,000 units of sales each year Stateside.  

The second-generation Palisade welcomes the first ever XRT Pro trim level into the Hyundai lineup, offering a step up from the current XRT. The adventure-ready XRT Pro ups the ante with an additional inch of ground clearance of 8.4-inches (7.4 inches within other trims) and all-terrain 18-inch tires. In addition, XRT Pro offers mud, sand and snow 'terrain' modes not offered within other trims joining four other 'pavement intended' driving modes.  

Seven Palisade trims (SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, SEL Premium, XRT Pro, Limited and Calligraphy) offer the option of front-wheel drive or on-demand all-wheel drive save for the new XRT Pro arriving solely with a lightweight HTRAC all-wheel-drive platform. This on-demand design requires no assistance from the driver and operates primarily in front-wheel drive mode, but kicks into AWD when sensing slippage by monitoring multiple vehicle inputs 100 times per second. For those residing within the upper Midwest confines, the $2,000 upcharge for all-wheel drive reflects a small price to pay for a vehicle often times hauling a goodly number of family members.  

Each trim comes with a large array of standard equipment with few factory options speeding up the dealership buying process. The higher one travels up the trim ladder, the greater the number of standard features.  

Also arriving later in the 2026 model year, the first gas-electric hybrid powertrain ever offered in Palisade (a hybrid-electric vehicle, or HEV) combining a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 64-kilowatt, 300-volt lithium-ion battery pack and electric/traction motor.  

Overall length creeps close to a recently tested Mazda CX-90 three-row crossover at 200.4 inches. The XRT Pro measures one inch longer than standard trim Palisades thanks in part to red front and rear recovery/tow hooks. The XRT Pro also includes an integrated hitch hidden behind a panel within the rear bumper, a feature also on board Limited and Calligraphy trims, useful when testing the generous 5,000-pound towing capacity.  

Compared to the outgoing Generation One design, the new Gen Two offers two-and-a-half inches additional length, two-and-a-half more inches of wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) a half inch of height and measures a scooch wider. With added bulk, interior volume grows from 173.3 cubic feet to 181 cubic feet. The added inches, through incremental, create a welcome environ for this mid-size crossover, with Palisade now skewing towards the larger end of the competitive spectrum.  

The naturally-aspirated (non-turbocharged) 2026 3.5-liter V-6 internal combustion engine generates 287 horses and connects up with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission requiring regular, 87-octate fuel when filling the sizeable 19-gallon tank. Expect average at best fuel economy feedback. Front-wheel drive trims average 19 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway. Subtract one mile per gallon both categories when opting for Midwest-Friendly all-wheel drive. The new hybrid engine promises better fuel numbers.  

The automatic transmission also works with steering wheel paddle shifters which allow drivers to direct the eight gears manually via finger tips without the need of a foot clutch. The V-6 provided pleasant oomph during our drive for this family-friendly transport and comes standard with 'Idle Stop and Go' a system that temporarily quiets the engine with a temporary shut down at prolonged stops, such as when encountering a traffic light. The engine springs back to attention once the right foot lifts from the pedal. The system deactivates, if desired, from a push button on the far-left dashboard.  

Hyundai vehicles enjoy added flair within its creative headlight designs and this second-generation Palisade takes its illumination artistry to a unique next level. Each end of the large front grille offers five rectangular, brick-like daytime running lights illuminants stacked one atop the other flanking a large center nose with horizontal chrome streams. Inboard of these bricks, LED projector lights providing the majority of illumination. These large DRLs double as highly visible, ambler turn signal lights. The circular Hyundai logo stamps upon the hood's center front. At night, a pin light extends across the front just below the hood.  

Curved wheel wells visually work with a boxier shadow crease above creating a unique side profile visual. To the rear, Palisade utilizes the same LED bricklike structures as taillight designates flanking the standard power liftgate. Last year, three inline square-shaped light structures took precedent.  

The XRT Pro includes thick, black, strap-like exterior door handles. Lower trims choose body-colored hues. All include built-in welcome lights.  

Starting price for a front-drive SE checks in at $39,435. The top-line all-wheel-drive Calligraphy trim starts about 20 Grand higher. Our tester, the all-wheel drive 'Electronic Gray' XRT Pro arrived with a $49,370 starting price. With no factory options added, the bottom line reached $51,110 after factoring a $245 hit for dealer floor mats and $1,495 destination charge.  

Three interior color choices include black, brown and a gray/navy twinge. Multiple Type C USB plug ports benefitting portable electronics scatter throughout all three rows providing higher power (100 watts) for quicker Smartphone charging than Generation One.  

Changing transmission duties takes place from an electronic stalk found on the right-side of the manually-adjusting tilt-and-telescoping steering column. A twist of the end cap shifts the transmission and moves a backlit blue indicator from R (Reverse), to N (Neutral) and finally D (Drive). The design includes a DNR structure with D (or Drive) at the top of the trio. More than once, I found myself twisting towards the top to find reverse, only to realize to go backward, one must twist downward. Park, or 'P' selects by pushing in the endcap.  

Other Hyundai models offer this design throughout its sedans, pickups and other crossovers, but Palisade introduces an additional twist, the electronic start/stop circular button locates at the stalk's inboard end also with blue highlights. This layout cuts down motion time when summoning 'Park' then pushing the circular tab at the stalk's end via a right thumb to turn the engine off.  

 It's a location that sometimes gets blocked though by the three-spoke steering wheel itself if spun far to the right or left. The crowded steering column includes two additional stalks, a windshield wiper stalk monitoring both front and rear wipers found above the transmission stalk and one left-side stalk handling front headlights. The rear wiper swoops down from the top edge, remaining hidden from sight by a wide spoiler, an update from last year when the wiper arm resided at the bottom of the rear window.  

The steering column location of the transmission shift opens up the area between front buckets for a single, flat wireless Smartphone charger (standard in all trims sans the base SE) along with dual inline cupholders. An arm rest doubling as a storage bin opens from the front while hinged at the rear. 

The right-side glove box includes a nice damper design slowing the lowering process and includes an inside light.  

Our XRT Pro included a pair of second-row captain's chairs standard creating a seven-rider maximum. These seats arrive standard within SEL trims and above and offer greater support and comfort then the 60/40 split bench which can be ordered as an option in SEL and SEL Premium trims. During the past decade, these second-row Captain's Chairs have grown in popularity and availability. New this model year, B-Pillar grab handles helping ease access for many riders.  

All seven 3.5-liter V-6 trims include a sizeable, 12.3-inch in-dash touchscreen with built-in onboard Navigation functions. This digital screen, slightly tilted towards the driver, builds into the actual dashboard with no framing extension upward while supporting a smooth upside brim and flat dashboard top. It seamlessly combines with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to the left nearer to the three-spoke steering wheel forming a long, flat, rectangular screen space with digital graphics dancing along when starting the engine. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth technology arrive standard welcoming all the stored Smartphone Apps and files to play through the center touchscreen.  

This upper portion completely separates from HVAC functions lower down the center dash below a pair of stretched oval-ish air vents and a row of tactile functions interacting with the screen including a welcome far left volume/on/off knob and far right station selection knob. In between, eight short-cut buttons on the ready easing screen interplay. Secondary adjustments locate on the three-spoke steering wheel's right 3 o'clock position controlling volume and play selection both with unique tactile feels. The 9 o'clock left position includes buttons working in tandem with the digital IP and multi-speed, radar-enhanced 'Smart' cruise control.  

The HVAC function includes larger sized twist button for selecting dual front temperatures and an assortment of push-sensitive icons adjusting fan speed and direction all backlit in white. This setup creates a simple and intuitive means of quickly updating temperature settings without hunting through the touch screen.  

Standard in Calligraphy, Limited, SEL Premium and XRT Pro, a welcome and useful Blind View Monitor, projecting live action color feeds from tiny side-mounted cameras through the digital instrument panel when activating left and right turn signals. It's a simple, easy to digest safety perk providing real-time feedback of hard-to-detail activity.  

Both second and third rows include HVAC vents. Maneuvering into the third row eases with second-row Captain's Chairs that easily hop up then slide forward once a button atop the backrest gets pushed creating an aisle wide enough for even a 60-something to torque through. Once in back those of adult dimensions will find minimal leg room and the usual sparce headroom. Three pre-teens may fit, but sardining three adults is too much of an ask. If not in use, these split seatbacks manually fold flat onto seat cushions with useful straps built into the backrests for an easy pull to a prone position when adjusting from an open hatch.  

As with every Hyundai-badged product sold in the states, Palisade includes one of the industry's most generous powertrain warranties as far as timelines are concerned. The 10-year/100,000-mile warranty provides purchasers with extended peace of mind at no additional charge; a notable value-added consideration when comparing rival three-row crossovers.  

Although still a newbie into the marketplace the 2026 Palisades already accumulated a number of accolades and nominations, including one from the Prestigious, Chicago-based Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) who voted Palisade "Family Favorite Vehicle" at their Fall 2025 Festival/Rally. As of this writing, it's also a finalist for the very prestigious North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, an honor bestowed every January.  

This second-generation effort builds upon an already solid Generation One debut. With competitive pricing, a vast array of safety features and solid engine warranty, it's a great place to start or continue shopping if in the market for a versatile three-row stallion.  

Hyundai Motor North America is one part of the Hyundai Motor Group also consisting of the Genesis luxury auto brand and Kia Motors.  

2026 Hyundai Palisade
Price as tested: $51,110 
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6  
Horsepower: 287 
Torque: 260 lb.-ft.  
Wheelbase: 116.9 inches 
Overall Length: 200.4 inches 
Overall Width: 78.0 inches 
Overall Height: 69.5 inches 
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city/ 24 mpg highway 
Curb weight: 4,784 pounds 
Assembly: Ulsan, South Korea