Experiencing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade enters its second generation for 2026. One of the big highlights of this midsize 3-row SUV’s redesign is the introduction of an available hybrid powertrain, but that’s not coming until a little later this year. While we wait for that, we had a chance to drive the Palisade powered by a good old-fashioned V6.

Familiar Territory

Driving the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is familiar in the right ways. Confident V6 power, serene ride quality, and comfortable seats characterized the outgoing Palisade, and those traits remain. The new V6 is a 3.5-liter mill, which is a little smaller than the engine in the first-generation Palisade. However, its output and fuel economy are similar. Some torquey turbocharged engines in this class have some more get-up-and-go, but there’s something reassuring about a naturally aspirated V6 that we appreciate.

Hyundai improved another Palisade trait with its upscale interior. This cabin reminds us of the all-new electric 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is a good thing. It has the same dual panoramic screen setup. The onboard navigation system feels dated, but standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are to the rescue for music and navigation duties.

The controls in the Palisade are thoughtfully laid out to be simple to use and ergonomically friendly. There’s a screen that takes care of HVAC duties, and while we still prefer buttons and switches, it’s easy to control, partially thanks to a little spot on which to rest your wrist while poking at the screen. We never cared for the button gearshift layout of the old Palisade, and we’re grateful the new model switched to Hyundai’s column-mounted shifter that turns like a key to put the car in drive or reverse. It makes for a clean and uncluttered console and center stack area.

Bigger and Better

Anyone who owns a Hyundai Palisade from the model’s first generation that came out in 2020 will likely notice that the redesigned 2026 model has gotten a little bigger in every dimension. We’re pleased to report that this translates to more space in the interior. We climbed into every seat and enjoyed more legroom in the second- and third-row seats, especially thanks to the available power sliding and reclining third row, an uncommon feature in this class. The third row is more accommodating for adults than before, but these seats are still best reserved for kids.

The bigger size also means more cargo space. We slid the power third-row seats back as far as they could go and were impressed that there was still decent cargo space behind those seats. While still not the roomiest in this class, the extra space is welcome for families who will use the third row regularly. An already family-friendly SUV has gotten even family-friendlier.

Going Pro

Another big highlight of the all-new 2026 Palisade is the introduction of the XRT Pro trim. We’ve previously seen the XRT moniker on Hyundai models, including on the outgoing Palisade. It’s Hyundai’s name for a rugged appearance package, but generally doesn’t denote aggressive off-road chops. The XRT Pro remedies that by giving this family SUV some mechanical upgrades to make it a respectable off-roader.

In addition to all-wheel drive (AWD) and the expected appearance package with the extra ground clearance and red recovery hooks that imply ruggedness, the Palisade XRT Pro is equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes, and all-terrain tires.

We tested the Palisade XRT Pro on an off-road course and can confirm that its capability exceeds the needs of just about anyone who will own one. From deep snow to reaching a remote campsite, this midsize SUV can realistically go just about anywhere you ask it to. Its capability is up there with the Honda Pilot TrailSport and Chevy Traverse Z71.

Conclusion

All this to say, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade takes a 3-row family SUV that was already easy to recommend and makes it a little better in almost every way. We’re eager to drive the hybrid, which promises 34 combined mpg. Still, if you’d rather stick with a non-hybrid V6 and want the latest tech, upscale appointments, good interior space, and class-leading warranty coverage, you can’t lose with the new 2026 Palisade.

See 2026 Hyundai Palisade inventory available