2026 Hyundai Palisade Goes Greener, Grittier With New Hybrid, Off-Road Models
Competes with: Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander
Looks like: The new model borrows some of the redesigned Santa Fe’s new right angles and upright look
Powertrains: 287-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission (gas); 329-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, six-speed automatic transmission (hybrid); front- or all-wheel drive
Release date: Gas-powered version will go on sale in early summer; hybrid will follow in early fall
Hyundai is widening the appeal of its likable (and Cars.com award-winning) three-row Palisade SUV for the 2026 model year by adding new hybrid and off-road versions to the lineup due to debut at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. In addition, it grows in size and wears more angular, upright styling, bringing it more in line with the Santa Fe SUV’s new look. The new Palisade also gets a host of new safety, tech and comfort features.
Related: More 2025 New York Auto Show Coverage
Blockier Styling
For 2026, the already large Palisade grows in size thanks to a 2.7-inch increase in wheelbase and 2.5-inch increase in overall length. Hyundai has not yet released a spec sheet, so we’re not sure how the additional length affects the cabin’s dimensions, but the brand did say the added space should make ingress and egress easier and that the new Palisade’s third row is more spacious than the outgoing model’s.
The 2026 Palisade also looks bigger thanks to its more angular styling, which adds sharper corners for an overall boxier silhouette compared with the previous model; the new look is reminiscent of the makeover that Hyundai gave its smaller Santa Fe SUV for 2024.
Design highlights include a dramatically redesigned face with a vertical LED daytime running light graphic, a horizontal center positioning light signature, active airflow shutters in the front bumper and more upright A-pillars. In addition, the front overhang has been shortened by 1.6 inches, making for a more blunt, choppier-looking nose. In profile, Hyundai says the larger panoramic side windows add some light to the third row and improve visibility.
New V-6 and Hybrid Powertrains
The 2026 Palisade offers two new powertrain options. Gas-only models will use a 287-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 260 pounds-feet of torque, down a bit from the previous 3.8-liter V-6’s 291 hp and 262 pounds-feet. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Hyundai estimates that the new powertrain should retain the current Palisade’s 5,000-pound towing capacity. The company has not yet released fuel-economy ratings, but they’re likely better than the outgoing model’s EPA-estimated 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 19/24/21 mpg with AWD.
The new hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; it works with a pair of electric motors mounted in the six-speed automatic transmission’s case that add up to 67 hp for a total combined output of 329 hp and 339 pounds-feet of torque. Again, official fuel-economy data is not out yet, but Hyundai estimates the Palisade Hybrid will get 30-plus mpg on the highway and be able to tow an estimated 4,000 pounds.
The Palisade’s AWD system also gets some upgrades for 2026. It now includes a Tow mode that Hyundai says optimizes the powertrain’s performance and efficiency by holding lower gears longer and reducing shift frequency while towing heavier loads. The system also gets additional terrain modes for 2026; Mud, Sand and Snow settings join the existing Normal, Sport and Smart modes.
What Is the 2026 Palisade’s XRT Pro Off-Road Trim?
The new XRT Pro trim, which Hyundai says adds even more off-road capability than the current Palisade XRT variant, wears a unique, more muscular-looking front end as well as other design cues, such as orange recovery hooks, exclusive 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels wearing all-terrain 255/60R18 tires, trim-specific badges, and dark exterior accents on the grille, window surrounds and cladding.
In addition, the XRT Pro has 8.4 inches of ground clearance, 1 inch more than the regular version, plus improved approach, departure and breakover angles for increased off-roadability. It also gets some mechanical upgrades, making it more capable than the previous XRT trim. Highlights include standard AWD, a trim-exclusive electronic rear limited-slip differential, a downhill brake control system with Tow mode, a factory tow hitch and a 360-degree camera system with forward ground view. The 2026 Palisade is the first Hyundai to feature the new off-road trim.
Updated Cabin and Tech
Inside, the Palisade’s cabin design and layout looks familiar, with some subtle tweaks. For 2026, the dashboard has a more fluid horizontal design, and the center console and armrest were redesigned with more flexible storage space and better ergonomic comfort in mind, Hyundai said. Adding to the new convenience features list is an available Relaxation seating package for front- and second-row passengers that provides additional degrees of recline and deployable upper-leg supports.
On the tech front, the 2026 Palisade’s screen setup should look familiar, too; a pair of 12.3-inch displays again make up a panoramic digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen setup. The system features added functionality this year with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Other new tech includes wireless over-the-air update capability and a new in-car payment system that, according to Hyundai, makes it easy to securely pay for services using the vehicle’s touchscreen at gas stations and parking garages, for example.
What New Safety Features Are on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of safety and driver-assistance features returns for 2026 and again includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot intervention, safe-exit assist, a driver attention warning, high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, rear-cross traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking and remote parking.
Newly available safety features include a built-in dual-camera event data recorder, third-row seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, a full-display digital center rearview mirror with a liftgate-mounted wide-angle camera, and full-length side curtain airbags that include coverage for the third-row seat.
When Will the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Go on Sale?
Gas-powered versions of the 2026 Palisade will go on sale in early summer 2025; hybrid models will follow in early fall. It will be built in South Korea.
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