Since their respective debuts in 2018, the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride platform twins have become easy choices on the American market. They’re three-row SUVs with tasteful interiors, impressive driver-assistance technology, and comfortable rides. But they’re also coming up on seven years since that debut, which means it’s time for a change.
For Hyundai, that change comes in the form of the 2026 Palisade: the next era for the SUV, with its first hybrid powertrain, bigger dimensions, and a new off-road trim.
Spacer
The new Palisade is boxy, big, and elegant. It trades the old Palisade’s more 2010s-style rounded design for a cleaner, more minimalist side profile and interior. (The grille is the busiest part of the vehicle; it’s full of rectangles, lights, and heavier black accents. I think it looks the least busy and most stately with a dark exterior paint color.) Inside the 2026 Palisade, there’s a long, panoramic driver-instrument cluster and infotainment display; a bunch of capacitive buttons; and a steering wheel that trades the Hyundai “H” for four dots, which stand for “H” in Morse code.
But the biggest change for the new Palisade is the addition of the hybrid powertrain, which is exactly what this genre of vehicle needs. Hyundai estimates the internal-combustion powertrain — a 3.5-liter V6 — will have 287 horsepower, 260 lb.-ft. of torque and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the goal for the 2.5-liter, turbocharged hybrid powertrain is 329 horsepower, 339 pound-feet, a 4,000-pound towing capacity, and more than 600 miles of range.
That last number is the most important. Hybrids are a great solution for people who don’t want to go fully electric in modern America; where I live in central Texas, it can be hard to come by fast, reliable charging stations on road trips. The first time I did a road trip in a loaner Kia Sorento and experienced its cushy hybrid with a 600-mile range, peace washed over me. I felt like I could drive forever, because I almost could (before I needed to stop for gas, that is).
In addition to the hybrid powertrain, the 2026 Palisade gets a new trim option: the XRT Pro, which gets an electronic rear limited-slip differential; a higher ground clearance by an inch; 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires; all-wheel drive; mud, sand, and snow driving modes; functional orange recovery hooks on the front and rear; a tow hitch; and more.
The upgrades don’t sound like they’ll make the Palisade XRT Pro into a hardcore trail-tackler, but they do look and feel the part, and that’s all most buyers need. Americans love feeling off-road capable but staying on the pavement.
Other cool features on the 2026 Palisade include a suite of driver-assistance features, as well as a wireless charging pad with a fan. The charging fan is my favorite part of the whole car, since I’ve never owned a phone that can sit on a vehicle’s wireless charger without overheating. Maybe that’s because I’m an iPhone user.
Anyway, the 2026 Palisade’s looks and performance upgrades aren’t surprising. The SUV was already good, but even good vehicles are due for an overhaul once enough time passes.
In the Palisade’s case, this overhaul looks and feels like a solid one.
Story images: Hyundai
Top graphic image: Matt Hardigree
Grille is too busy – I really liked the mid-cycle refresh for it. Otherwise I like the look, and a hybrid is very welcome.
Also, what’s the difference between 2026’s XRT Pro is ’25’s XRT? Basically nothing, just trim creep ????