2026 Hyundai Palisade First Look

Hyundai's biggest three-row crossover SUV adds a hybrid option and shows off a new look.

Andrew Ganz | 

Apr 17, 2025 | 3 min read

Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade, which made its North American debut at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, features more aerodynamic styling and a more luxurious interior than its predecessor. It also boasts a new, more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain.

Here's what you need to know about this redesigned SUV.

Hyundai

Design Changes for the 2026 Palisade

The Palisade's front end features tall, angular LED lighting paired with a blocky, upright profile. Despite its design, the SUV is one of the more aerodynamic models in its class, according to Hyundai.

The new Palisade rides on a wheelbase that's 2.7 inches longer than before, and its overall length grows by about 2.5 inches, making it just under 199 inches long. That's still short enough to fit in the average home garage. Top trims are equipped with wheels up to 21 inches, filling out the SUV's prominent wheel wells.

Inside, the cabin features a low dash fitted with a pair of curved 12.3-inch screens. Some models will be available with Hyundai's new Relaxation seats, which add upper leg supports for front and second-row occupants, plus additional recline settings to enhance comfort on long drives. The Palisade can seat up to eight people, though second-row captain's chairs remain an option. All three rows can be equipped with power adjustment, too.

Depending on the trim level, the Palisade's cabin can be upholstered in cloth, synthetic leather, real leather, or soft nappa leather.

Hyundai

The 2026 Palisade Has a Hybrid Option

A new 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 287 horsepower, sent to either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, Hyundai estimates that this powertrain can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That's the same maximum rating given to the outgoing model.

The bigger news is that, for the first time, the Palisade is available as a hybrid. This version pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a pair of electric motors built into the six-speed automatic transmission. Combined, Hyundai estimates that the system puts out 329 horsepower and should see a fuel-economy rating of at least 30 mpg on the highway. Paired with its fuel tank, the hybrid Palisade will be able to go more than 600 miles with a full tank of fuel, according to Hyundai.

The automaker additionally introduced the XRT Pro trim, which builds on the existing XRT trim. This new Palisade model has a higher-riding suspension that affords up to 8.4 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires wrapped around dark-finish 18-inch alloy wheels, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. It's also outfitted with red front and rear tow points.

Hyundai

Tons of Tech for the New Palisade

The 2026 Palisade can come equipped with multiple cameras, including a pair of dash cams that automatically record the vehicle while driving and can sense movement nearby when the vehicle is parked.

There are also multiple USB-C ports, some of which can output 100 watts of power. A 15-watt wireless device charging pad with a built-in cooling fan is on offer, as well. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen has standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, which can send sound to an optional 14-speaker Bose audio system.

Gas-only versions of the Palisade are slated to leave the automaker's assembly plant in South Korea by early summer, while the hybrid will follow later in 2025.

Andrew Ganz

Andrew has been hooked on cars since his mother coaxed him into naps by driving him around in her rattly old diesel Mercedes-Benz. Perhaps it was the diesel fumes that lulled him to sleep. Either way, he has since parlayed his automotive enthusiasm into a decades-long career as a journalist writing for such well-known sites as Auto Express, Autoblog, Car and Driver, Leftlane News, Motor1, Motor Authority, and The Car Connection, not to mention numerous classic-car publications. When he's not researching cars, he's probably working on one — though he has yet to own a diesel Mercedes. Off to the classifieds he goes.