Six years ago, Hyundai took a huge gamble when it debuted the Palisade, a midsize three-row crossover SUV. But the gamble paid off as the Palisade, along with its corporate cousin, the Kia Telluride, became a huge success, setting a new standard in the midsize SUV class. For 2026, Hyundai has redesigned the Palisade, leading into the question - can the new one be just as good as the original? Let's find out.
The new second-generation Palisade remains a three-row SUV with a maximum seating capacity of eight. And just like the original Palisade, this new one will turn heads with its fresh new design. With the heavy use of patterns and repeating shapes up front, to the boxier lines and cool, interesting details like the wide, silver D-pillar, the new Palisade makes for a modern presence in the automotive scene. When it comes to size, the new Palisade is about 2.5 inches longer than the original, with most of that extra length being in a longer wheelbase, translating into more interior room.
Step inside the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and you're greeted by an incredibly roomy cabin. There are no cheap seats in this new Palisade - the front seats are comfortable and supportive, while the second-row captain’s chairs (a three-person bench is available, too) feel just as well-bolstered as those up front and have plenty of space for adults. The Palisade is also available with power-adjustable third-row seats, so you can recline and even slide the seats back for maximum comfort.
The interior is cleverly designed. While the climate control panel is an intuitive mixture of physical knobs and digital buttons, most of the Palisade's controls are accessed by using the touchscreen. The interface is easy to understand, and everything is thoughtfully laid out in a logical manner, meaning you won't need to break out the owner's manual to figure things out. For those that like to bring their own tech on board, there are seven USB ports spread throughout the cabin along with a wireless charging pad up front. There is also wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Under the hood, there is a new 3.5-liter V-6, replacing the 3.8-liter V6 found in the previous Palisade. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque - both slight drops from the previous engine. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional for all trims except for the XRT Pro — it comes standard with AWD. A hybrid is also available, and it uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic and a hybrid system, making a total of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft. The Palisade Hybrid will be covered in a future review.
Like the previous Palisade, the new one is available in many trim levels to fit various lifestyles. The SE is the base but still comes with amenities like keyless entry and push button start, remote start and a tri-zone climate control system. It uses a bench seat in the second row. The SEL adds a hands-free liftgate, power driver's seat, synthetic leather, heated front seats and rear sunshades. It uses captain's chairs for the second row, although the bench seating is a no-cost option. The SEL Convenience gets a sunroof and power passenger seat. The SEL Premium starts to add more luxury, like a heated steering wheel, heated and vented front row seats, ambient cabin lighting and blind spot cameras. If you're into the outdoor-oriented lifestyle, the XRT Pro is the one to look at. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, an electronic limited slip differential, lifted suspension, recovery hooks, tow hitch, and additional drive modes. With the Limited, the Palisade is fitted with 20-inch wheels, real leather interior, a 14-speaker Bose audio system and heated and power folding third row seats. At the top of the Palisade trim ladder is the Calligraphy. This range-topping Palisade gets 21-inch wheels, suede headliner, premium leather interior, massaging driver's seat and a heads-up display. If you are familiar with Genesis-like luxury, then the Calligraphy will appear similar.
This week I am in a 2026 Palisade XRT Pro. It comes with an MSRP of $52,116. The Palisade SE starts at $41,035 while going all out for the Calligraphy will set you back $56,160.
On the road, the new V-6 powering this new Palisade doesn't deliver particularly exciting acceleration, although it is powerful enough for casual driving. Power is delivered linearly and is quite refined, building naturally as revs rise toward the 6,400 rpm redline, slipping up into the next gear. The Palisade isn't sporty, and that is reflected in how it handles, but the ride is comfortable and well-suited for family duty.
When it comes to cargo space, the Palisade makes itself very useful, and the slight increase in size shows. With all rows in use, there is 19.0 cubic feet of space behind the third row (up from 18). Drop the third row, and storage space jumps to 46 cubic feet, which then increases to an impressive 86 cubic feet when both second and third rows are folded flat. Need to tow? The Palisade continues to have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Back in 2019, the Hyundai Palisade made an immediate impression in the mid-size SUV segment by delivering a three-row SUV with style and practicality - at a reasonable price. Now in its encore performance, the Palisade builds upon the success of the previous model and adds a nicer interior, updated tech and an even more premium third-row experience. I think it's safe to say that if you liked the first-generation Palisade (and many did), you will not be disappointed with this new one.