The three-row midsize Hyundai Palisade SUV is entirely remodeled for 2026, sporting a more refined platform enabling extra room for passengers and cargo, attention-getting design, loads of feature upgrades, a newly available hybrid powertrain, and a new XRT Pro model designed to tackle challenging terrain.
Base pricing for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade starts at $39,435 plus destination charge. Hybrid pricing starts at $44,160 plus destination charge.
Palisade’s new engine options include a 3.5-liter V6 producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and the hybrid powertrain combining a turbo four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a total output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft. Gas-only models are available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the hybrid has standard AWD. The V6 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid’s partner is a six-speed automatic.
I drove the new Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro model. Its standard equipment list reads like a dream for someone who spends time (voluntarily or otherwise) driving amid mud, rocks, deep potholes, jagged trails and the like. The list includes standard HTRAC all-wheel drive, eLSD, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, increased approach, departure and breakover angles, all-terrain 255/60R18 tires, blind spot view monitor, and real-time pitch and roll, compass and elevation displays.
I wouldn’t dream of taking the beautiful shiny new Palisade I had into off-road territory fraught with potential for harm. Its week with me was spent in more mundane environments, namely places where streets are found. Which, realistically, is where most Palisade XRT Pro buyers will be going anyway.
The Palisade XRT Pro comes with better-than-leather H-Tex leatherette upholstery, and captain’s chairs in the middle row for a seven-passenger maximum capacity.
Palisade’s spacious interior has a luxurious ambience, and even the third row is accommodating, for a third row in a midsize SUV.
Designers brilliantly included some physical controls for the infotainment and climate control systems instead of going all haptic-crazy on us. A 12.3-inch display, navigation, and an excellent 14-speaker Bose premium audio system are standard on the XRT Pro. SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless phone charger are also on board.
The new Palisade’s ride quality lives up to the high standards of its interior setting, delivering a continually smooth, serene experience. Seat comfort couldn’t be better.
Driving the Palisade is an enjoyable activity, thanks to the powertrain’s sophistication. Performance of the gas-powered model is somewhat subdued but not a problem. Drivers seeking more powerful acceleration can look to the hybrid version, which not only boosts performance but also gets better fuel economy. For comparison, here are the numbers:
V6 with front-wheel drive: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined
V6 with all-wheel drive: 18/24/20 mpg
XRT Pro AWD: 16/22/19 mpg
Hybrid with front-wheel drive: 33/35/34 mpg
Hybrid AWD: 29/30/29 mpg
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro
Base Price: $49,870
Price as Driven: $51,715
