Hyundai Palisade 2026 Review: Bigger, Quieter, and Surprisingly Luxurious

Overview

The Hyundai Palisade 2026 is a complete rethink of Hyundai’s three-row family SUV: brawnier styling, new powertrains (V6 and a more efficient hybrid), upgraded tech, and a focus on ride quality and refinement. This review is based on a full hands-on walkthrough and driving impressions from the transcript you provided.

---

Design: muscular, a little overstyled in front

Hyundai moved the Palisade toward a boxier, more muscular aesthetic for 2026. The overall stance is more purposeful — pronounced wheel arches, flat A-pillars and a squared-off rear give it a strong road presence. From the rear three-quarter it reads very premium; the tucked rear wiper and clean tail design elevate the look. Up front, a very large illuminated running-light / turn-signal element is attention-grabbing — striking but a fraction overcooked for some tastes.

Small packaging details show careful execution: the grille integrates a front camera (split horizontal slat), and higher trims use larger wheels and tasteful chrome or black accents to differentiate levels.

---

Interior: luxury touches, family-first practicality

In top Calligraphy trim the cabin feels far upmarket. Soft leather, neat stitchwork with “Calligraphy” on the headrests, and quiet, well-matched materials give the Palisade a near-luxury ambience. Hyundai’s designers added small, useful touches that families will love:

• reclining front and second-row seats with a near-flat “lie down” position for parked rest.
• plentiful storage: an extra tray above the glovebox, deep center console, and thoughtful door cupholders (upper and lower).
• a built-in dashcam system and blind-spot camera that shows the side view in the cluster when you signal.
• integrated rear sunshades and ceiling-mounted climate controls for the second row.

Third-row access is power-assisted and impressively comfortable for a family SUV — the powered seats fold and move to open the aisle, although the motorised action is slower than a manual fold. The third row itself is best for children, but it features heated seats and USB ports for comfort.

The gauge cluster is attractive but not very configurable; you can’t display a full-screen map or music info simultaneously, which feels like a missed opportunity given the large central screen. The climate controls get their own dedicated touch panel (separate from infotainment) with satisfying haptic feedback and clear shortcuts — a practical solution that avoids burying HVAC settings in menus.

---

Engines, efficiency and powertrain feel

Palisade buyers can choose between a traditional V6 and a new hybrid four-cylinder. The hybrid brings about 330 hp and noticeably better fuel economy (low-30s mpg combined), while the V6 is around 287 hp with combined economy in the low-20s mpg. The transcript’s test car was a Calligraphy V6 and delivered smooth, hushed refinement — though heavy throttle inputs show the engine working and can feel a touch strained compared with the hybrid’s eager delivery.

If you prioritise responsiveness and economy, the hybrid is the smart pick. If you prefer the familiar character of a V6 and slightly lower upfront cost on some trims, the V6 remains competent and impressively refined for a family haul.

---

Ride, steering and refinement

What impressed most in testing was how smooth and quiet the Palisade rides. Hyundai focused on insulation and suspension tuning; the result is a composed cabin with low wind and tyre noise at cruise. Steering remains light and confidence-inspiring rather than sporty — appropriate for a three-row family SUV.

The seats recline deeply for resting while parked, and the overall ride quality leans toward Lexus-like comfort at this price point. Road and engine noise are unusually low for the class, and body control is solid for daily driving and highway cruising.

---

Technology and useful quirks

Hyundai packed the 2026 Palisade with practical tech that actually gets used:

• Built-in dashcam with manual and impact-trigger recording.
• Blind-spot cameras that display live feed in the instrument cluster when the turn signal is on.
• Rear view mirror camera toggle for a camera view behind the vehicle — exceptionally helpful with a full load.
• UVC sanitiser in the center console (a quirky touch intended to disinfect small items).
• Multiple USB-C ports and a household 120V outlet in the second row for real-world usefulness.

These features show Hyundai’s attention to everyday family scenarios rather than just headline tech.

---

Practicality and cargo

Cargo volume is generous behind the third row, and the Palisade’s underfloor storage adds useful hidden space for small valuables or cables. The power tailgate has adjustable heights, and an “all-fold” button in the cargo area collapses seats automatically — a rare convenience that’s genuinely handy when you need the full load floor quickly.

The seat-fold interface in the cargo area is feature-rich but a touch complex; multiple buttons for row, left/right and function can feel fiddly until you learn the panel. Still, the all-at-once fold button is a winner for speed and simplicity.

---

Safety and comfort for families

Hyundai’s latest safety suite includes advanced driver assists, and the Palisade adds thoughtful occupant-focused measures: door-mounted blind-spot warnings that prevent a child’s door from opening into traffic, plentiful airbags, and robust structural design. Climate and comfort features like cooled rear seats (on top trims) and ceiling-mounted vents make long journeys pleasant for passengers of all ages.

---

What we like — and what to watch

Positives

• Very quiet, smooth ride and near-luxury interior in top trims.
• Smart, family-friendly features (dashcam, blind-spot camera, power outlets).
• Hybrid option adds both power and economy.
• Practical storage and “all-fold” cargo convenience.

Minor issues

• Front styling and massive running-light/turn-signal feel overdone to some.
• V6 can feel briefly taxed under heavy acceleration — the hybrid addresses this.
• Power third-row access is slow compared with the quicker manual systems on some rivals.
• Cluster screen is less configurable than expected.

---

Verdict

The Hyundai Palisade 2026 is a major step up: more refined, more thoughtful, and closer to luxury than most family SUVs at its price. If you want a calm, comfortable three-row with modern family conveniences and the option of hybrid efficiency, the Palisade is one of the best choices in its class.

Bottom line: the Hyundai Palisade 2026 review shows a model that’s smoother, quieter, and smarter than before — a strong buy for families who value comfort and sensible features over driving theatrics.