2026 Hyundai Palisade Review: Redesigned Luxury & Off-Road Capability

Exterior Redesign and Premium Touches

• 🌟 The 2026 Hyundai Palisade features a completely redesigned exterior with a bolder look, notably a rear end with Range Rover-like aesthetics.
• 💡 Distinctive touches include a spoiler over the rear window, a hidden tow hitch integrated into the bumper, and rear windows that seamlessly meet the body panels.
• 🚦 The front features oversized turn signals that double as running lights and a trendy front light bar across the grille.

Powertrain Options: Hybrid and V6

• 🚀 A significant update is the introduction of an optional hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, offering around 330 horsepower and targeting up to 34 MPG.
• ⛽ The hybrid powertrain boasts an impressive estimated driving range of 620 miles.
• ⚙️ A 3.5L V6 gas engine is still available, offering around 290 horsepower, though the hybrid is recommended for its superior power and fuel economy.

Luxurious Interior and Tech Features

• 🛋️ The top-trim Calligraphy model offers a surprisingly luxurious interior with redesigned elements and familiar Hyundai styling cues.
• 💺 Features include relaxation seats that recline significantly and offer a massage function, enhancing comfort.
• 📱 The center console includes a sanitizing tray with UVC lights for devices and a hidden storage compartment above the glove box.
• 💨 Climate controls are managed via a user-friendly touchscreen, with a driver-only climate control option for efficiency.
• 🚗 The gauge cluster displays a blind spot camera feed when turn signals are activated, a highly praised safety feature.
• 📸 An integrated dash cam system with front and rear cameras can record even when the vehicle is off, detecting motion or impacts.
• 🔋 The Palisade Hybrid offers a "Stay Mode" allowing climate control to run with the engine off, useful for keeping pets cool.
• 🅿️ Parking cameras are easily accessible via a dedicated button on the center control stack.
• 🎛️ All three rows of seats are power-operated and adjustable via the infotainment system, including heating and cooling for the rear seats.
• 🎶 The infotainment system includes Hyundai's quirky "Sounds of Nature" audio feature for relaxing ambient sounds.
• 📹 A digital rearview mirror functions as a camera, providing a clear view behind the vehicle regardless of passenger or cargo obstruction.

Rear Seat and Third Row Amenities

• 💺 Second-row passengers enjoy relaxation seats with winged headrests and lighted seat belt buckles.
• ⚠️ A door-mounted blind spot monitor warns of approaching vehicles and can temporarily lock the door to prevent accidents.
• 🔌 100-watt capable USB-C ports are available in all three rows for fast device charging.
• 🧑‍🍼 Third-row access is simplified with a button that folds the second-row seat, and passengers benefit from power-adjustable seats and heated third-row seats.
• 📦 The cargo area offers decent space behind the third row, with underfloor storage and power-folding seats for maximum configurability.

XRT Pro Off-Road Trim

• ⛰️ The new XRT Pro trim enhances off-road capability with bright red recovery hooks, more aggressive wheels with all-terrain tires, and increased ground clearance (8.4 inches).
• 📐 The front and rear fascias are revised to improve approach and departure angles.
• ⚡ It features an electronic rear limited-slip differential to manage torque distribution on slippery surfaces.
• 📊 An off-road telemetry display in the infotainment system shows pitch, roll, and a front-facing camera view for trail navigation.
• 📛 Cosmetic upgrades include prominent XRT Pro badging and black exterior trim.
• ⚠️ The XRT Pro is exclusively available with the gas V6 engine due to its higher towing capacity.