2026 Hyundai Palisade: A 3-row SUV that can do more

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Hyundai Palisade. From the lux-level amenities to the price tag, this has been one of my must-test recommendations for families in search of a three-row SUV. None of that changes with the next-gen model. In fact, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade might just shoot to the top of my recommendation list. It’s larger in every dimension, which means there’s more passenger and cargo space. Plus, there’s a lot of interesting available tech. It’s not without its foibles, but the good stuff far outweighs the bad stuff.

Here’s why this all-new Palisade is a great three-row SUV – and a couple of not-so-good features.

It’s got a smooth new powertrain

Previously, the Palisade had a 3.8-liter V-6 engine, but now it gets a 3.5-liter V-6. What’s the difference? The new engine delivers 287 horsepower, which is 4 horsepower less than the outgoing engine. While we think this is an odd decision and looks bad on paper, I have to tell you, you won’t notice the lack. This engine has a smoother power delivery with decent acceleration and plenty of oomph for highway merges sand passing maneuver.

While you can definitely feel the heft of this vehicle, it is overall a very easy-to-drive SUV with excellent visibility out of all the windows. The highly adjustable driver’s seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel also help to accommodate a wide range of driver’s heights. While I can’t speak to the tall end of the spectrum, I can say petite drivers will do well in the driver’s seat.

Finally, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade gets wireless CarPlay, Auto

One of the bigger pain points from the previous generation was the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2026 Palisade has it. And a darn good infotainment system to go along with it. We didn’t notice any lag while using CarPlay or the infotainment system – as long as we had cell service.

The native infotainment system follows the design of current Hyundai products with clean, crisp graphics. It moves through the different menu options swiftly, and you don’t have too many tap, tap, tap operations to get to what you need. Plus, the 2026 Palisade has buttons for some menu items as well physical audio controls. Most of the HVAC controls have moved to “touch points” – not quite buttons but not quite screen icons – but there are dials for temperature controls.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade gets bougier

The previous generation Palisade had nice interior materials, but we found the 2026 Palisade to be next level. While you would expect that from the top-tier Calligraphy trim, the overall design itself contributes to the luxury feel. Take, for example, the dash design. It’s clean and simple and, to me, looks a bit Volvo-esque. The large screen treatment also adds an air of luxury, especially since it looks like it was designed into to the dash rather than slapped on as an afterthought.

On this Calligraphy trim, you’ll also see lux-level amenities such as heated third row seats, heated-and-cooled second-row seats, a full panel of climate controls in the second row, sun shades, and power-operating second- and third-row seats.

There are a lot of clever available features

Usually when we do a media drive, they give us the top-tier trim to drive so that we can test all the features and amenities. And the 2026 Palisade has a lot of ‘em. One of my favorite features has to be the power operating second and third-row seats. From the cargo area, you can one-touch to put ALL the seats in both rows down or up at once. You can also one-touch each row up and each seat up individually. It’s a brilliant option that I don’t think I’ve seen before. You’ll often get the all-down option, but not the all-up. And even more often you have to stand there and hold the button until the function completes.

Other features I really liked on this Calligraphy model include the rear camera mirror, power adjustable second- and third-row seats, easy access to the third row, and the ability to keep car seats in second-row seats while accessing the third row.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade can tow stuff

When we were entering our lunch stop during the media drive, we saw a Palisade parked off to the side hooked up to an Airstream camper. This is to highlight the fact that the new Palisade can tow up to 5,000 pounds. While this is the same capacity as the previous generation, Hyundai has added a couple features to make this easier. That includes a factory-installed tow hitch and integrated trailer brake as well as a dedicated Tow Mode on all-wheel-drive versions of the XRT Pro, Limited and Calligraphy trims.

The XRT Pro is competent off-road

When last I took the Palisade off-road, it was on glorified dirt roads and felt like a letdown. I could drive a Hyundai Sonata on those same dirt roads. This time around, with the new XRT Pro, Hyundai decided to up its off-road game and created a challenging course to show how capable this new dedicated off-road trim really is. This trim comes with front and rear red recovery hooks; a beefier lower front fascia; an extra inch of ground clearance (8.4 inches if you’re curious); a 360-degree camera an electronic limited slip differential; real-time pitch, roll and compass displays; and Sand, Mud and Snow modes. One thing it doesn’t have: skid plates.

I was really impressed with how it did going over moguls, climbing rocks and taking steep climbs. Having competed with Hyundai in the past during the Rebelle Rally, I feel like a lot of the features they included on this XRT Pro trim came from our real-world testing. And I think this XRT Pro model would be able to compete handily in the Bone Stock category for the X-Cross Class.

There will be a hybrid coming

During this media preview, we only had the opportunity to test the gas-only version of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. But by the end of the year, you’ll see the first hybrid version of this vehicle available. It will come equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain, delivering a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It’ll also give drivers up to 619 miles of driving range.

You’ll get a lot for your money

One of the things that has always impressed me about Hyundai vehicles is the value you get. Hyundai tends to pack a lot of features into its vehicles that a lot of automakers would make optional. There are seven trims for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, and the base SE starts at $40,430. It has standard seating for eight with a middle bench seat. But where you’ll start to see the features pop in is at the SEL Convenience, which gets a power moonroof, power front seats and the option to use your phone as a key. That will start at $44,365. If you add $2k and upgrade to the SEL Premium, you get the Blind View Monitor, heated-and-ventilated first and second rows, power folding mirrors, ambient lighting and parking collision avoidance.

The XRT Pro starts at $50,865, and if you want to go all in with all the features, you can opt for the Calligraphy trim at $55,555. While that’s a big number, consider that it brings you a massaging driver’s seat, rear camera mirror, integrated dash cam, power folding second and third row seats, a head-up display and heated third-row seats – among other things.

Three things I would change

While I generally loved the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, there are a few things I think can be tweaked. This will surprise no one, but the wireless charger doesn’t work well. Hyundai said it added a cooling fan under the charging pad, but it was not enough to keep my iPhone 16 from overheating – both with and without the case. I was also irked by the fact that the surround-view cameras shut off above 5 MPH. This was particularly problematic while off-roading in the XRT Pro. I really needed those cameras to stay on up to at least 20 MPH.

Finally, let’s talk about the third row. It is well appointed, and there is plenty of leg and headroom – for the outboard passengers. Hyundai made a big deal about seating up to eight people, but that third row will barely fit three of me – and I’m 5 feet tall and weigh about 95 pounds. This is truly an in-case-of-emergency seat.

Our take

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a really nice three-row SUV. It comes in several flavors with varying price points, and I think $45k for a posh-but-not-bougie trim with a lot of amenities is a steal. The new Palisade is quiet and well-appointed. It affords good visibility out all windows, and the fit and finish is a class above. While some people will give Hyundai guff for its lack of family identity, I appreciate the purpose-driven design that makes it an excellent consideration for families on the go.

If you are looking for a three-row SUV with plenty of passenger and cargo space, but don’t want to upgrade to a Suburban-size SUV, the new Palisade is a must-test vehicle.

Editor’s note: Driving impressions in this “First Drive” review are from an invitation-only automaker launch event that allowed special access to the vehicle and executives. Hyundai covered our accommodations, meals and transportation costs.