2026 Hyundai Palisade Uncovered – Features, Specs & What’s New

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is gearing up to dominate the three-row SUV market with a bold new design, updated tech, and refined powertrains. Hyundai is doubling down on premium comfort, advanced safety, and standout style to rival luxury brands without luxury prices. Here’s an in-depth look at everything new and noteworthy about the 2026 Palisade.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Uncovered

Design Refresh Brings Bolder Look

Hyundai gives the Palisade a noticeable exterior redesign in 2026, with a wider grille that stretches into slimmer LED headlights for a modern, confident front fascia. Sculpted lines across the body and a more squared-off rear profile help it look tougher, leaning into the growing demand for rugged luxury.

The Calligraphy trim stands out with unique 20-inch wheels, satin chrome accents, and a more upscale grille mesh pattern, making it the most premium Palisade yet. Hyundai’s new XRT variant, introduced previously, returns with blacked-out trim and off-road styling cues to appeal to adventure seekers.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Inside, the 2026 Palisade continues to push upscale boundaries. Hyundai now offers a new panoramic curved display that seamlessly integrates the digital gauge cluster and center infotainment screen into a single, flowing unit. It’s intuitive, high-resolution, and supports multi-tasking between navigation, entertainment, and climate controls.

Premium trims add ventilated front and rear seats, Nappa leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and a new multi-function second-row center console. Three-zone climate control is now standard across all trims. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, finally removing the need for cables in even base models.

Powertrain and Performance

The 3.8-liter V6 engine returns for 2026, producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai may introduce a hybrid powertrain later in the year, though details are pending. The current V6 offers strong towing capacity—up to 5,000 pounds—and a smooth, quiet ride.

Fuel efficiency remains competitive for the segment, with front-wheel drive models expected to return around 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The optional HTRAC all-wheel drive system continues to provide excellent traction in rain and snow.

Advanced Safety Upgrades

Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite gets key updates for 2026. Forward Collision Avoidance Assist now supports junction turning, while Highway Driving Assist 2 adds enhanced lane change support and adaptive cruise learning behavior.

Also included are Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance, Driver Attention Warning, and Safe Exit Assist. A new Surround View Monitor with 3D rendering adds confidence in tight spaces.

Trim Breakdown and Features

SE & SEL Trims
These offer solid value with essential safety, infotainment, and comfort features. SEL adds upgraded upholstery, roof rails, and power-adjustable seats.

XRT Trim
Focused on rugged looks, with exclusive dark exterior elements, all-terrain tires, and side steps.

Limited & Calligraphy Trims
These bring in near-luxury experience with leather-wrapped surfaces, advanced driver assistance, Harman Kardon audio, and a head-up display in the Calligraphy.

What’s New for 2026?

• Redesigned front and rear styling for a more aggressive, modern stance

• Panoramic curved screen replacing separate digital clusters

• Updated safety systems with better highway and city driving support

• More standard features in base trims (climate, connectivity, infotainment)

• Expected hybrid model to join lineup later in 2026

2026 Hyundai Palisade vs Competitors

The Palisade continues to outpace many rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot in standard features and design quality. While it’s not as sporty as the Mazda CX-90 or as luxurious as the Audi Q7, its blend of pricing, premium comfort, and tech makes it a top value pick in the three-row SUV category.

FAQ

Will the 2026 Palisade have a hybrid option?

A hybrid variant is expected but has not been officially detailed. Hyundai is likely to reveal specs closer to mid-2026.

How much will the 2026 Palisade cost?

Pricing hasn’t been released yet, but expect a starting price around $39,000 and fully loaded Calligraphy trims approaching $54,000.

What trims are available for the 2026 Palisade?

Trims include SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy.

Is the 2026 Palisade good for families?

Yes, with three rows of seating, advanced safety tech, and generous cargo space, it remains one of the most family-friendly SUVs on the market.

When can I buy the 2026 Palisade?

It’s expected to arrive at dealerships in early 2026, with pre-orders likely opening a few months prior.

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