Hyundai officially debuted the 2026 Palisade at the New York International Auto Show this week, confirming it for American consumers. The big SUV, which we’ve already seen in photos, ports over with the same bold styling and spacious interior as its global-market siblings, as well as an available hybrid powertrain and much more capable XRT Pro model for all-terrain fun. While it doesn’t sound like the US will get a front bench seat – darn – the rest of the package looks even more appealing than today’s already excellent SUV.
Sleek Style For Hyundai’s People Mover
We loved the global-market Palisade’s striated lighting and squared-off roofline when we saw it for the first time, and US customers will get largely the same visual experience. The big Hyundai SUV has great proportions, with a 1.6-inch shorter front overhang despite 2.5 inches of added length overall. The wheelbase has also been stretched 2.7 inches, providing passengers with more room and making access to the interior easier thanks to larger door openings. The Calligraphy trim level presented in New York features an attractive piece of brightwork extending rearward from the windshield header and wrapping around the roof, ending up on a chunky slab of D-pillar trim for a very premium, substantial appearance – almost like the unrelated Genesis X Gran Equator concept.
Slim headlights reside just inward of the stripey signature running lamps, and the grille openings live on the same horizontal plane as the lighting elements. Chamfered fender flares and angular rocker sculpting tie the new SUV in with its predecessor, but otherwise, the Palisade’s upright bodysides have a sleek, clean appearance. Around the back are taillights that ape the appearance of the daytime running lamps, as well as a squared-off hatch and minimalist rear bumper that calls the full-size Range Rover to mind. The look is more cohesive and appealing than today’s Palisade, with a modern, luxurious, and distinctly Korean personality.
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The Future Has Arrived
With the Hyundai Ioniq 9 appearing to fill the role of electric family SUV in the company lineup, the Palisade will soldier on with internal combustion engines. However, there are still some updates worth noting. The 3.8-liter Lambda engine is gone, taking its 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque with it. Taking its place is a 3.5-liter V6, and although it puts out less (287 hp and 260 lb-ft), it’s mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission with a two-chamber torque converter, which should help it feel more responsive and give it improved efficiency.
The other big news under the hood is a newly available hybrid powertrain, which joins Hyundai’s excellent turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors in the six-speed automatic transmission, for a combined power output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai says the powertrain will be good for at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway, with a fuel tank range in excess of 600 miles. The hybrid powertrain can’t tow as much as the gasser – 4,000 pounds versus 5,000 – but it otherwise seems like the obvious pick of the engine litter.
Peace And Quiet, Hyundai-Style
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade improves on its predecessor in the interior department, too. The horizontal, sculpted dash panel is gorgeous, and the automaker promises it’ll be rendered in premium, soft-touch materials. Given our experience in the one-size-smaller Santa Fe, we believe it. The cabin is larger than before, and every trim level comes standard with acoustic laminated windshield and front door glass, which should make it even more peaceful than the already very composed 2025 Palisade. Hyundai didn’t cop to specific interior measurements, but given the added length and wheelbase, we presume the new SUV will improve on the old one, which offered 155.3 cubic feet of passenger room and up to 86.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats folded or 18.0 with them in place.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade will also offer improved technology via its twin 12.3-inch curved displays for the gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment. The latest version of the company’s software is on-board, as well as a pair of 100-watt USB-C power points in all three rows. The 15-watt wireless charging pad in the center console incorporates a device-cooling fan, and a Bose 14-speaker sound system should make great use of the quiet cabin.
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Wide Lineup Of Choices
The Palisade will come in a variety of trims, including the luxurious Calligraphy and the capable XRT Pro, and it should arrive early this summer. The car will be built in Ulsan, South Korea, and pricing has yet to be annoucned, but we should get that info soon. We’ll be sure to keep you updated.
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