Boxy looks are in vogue, and the new Hyundai Palisade takes advantage of that design direction, featuring squared shoulders, an upright stance, and a flat, endless hood that smoothly transitions into the lower grill like a waterfall. This 2026 model is all-new and carries larger dimensions thanks to a longer wheelbase. The Palisade continues to share its 7-8-passenger-capable platform with the Kia Telluride, but with obviously different sheetmetal and interior, giving the Mazda CX-90, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Grand Highlander something to sweat about.

Bold looks aside, it’s the interior that has taken a quantum leap. Hyundai has clearly drawn inspiration from modern interior design, with pale colours, uncluttered surfaces, and a minimalist look. The door panel design is particularly clever: they stitched the top leather panel to the plastic panel below, so it transitions smoothly, and since they’re the same colour, it creates the illusion of a single seamless swatch of leather.

It’s a masterclass in functionality and usable space, taking ergonomic cues from the Land Rover Defender. With the gear shifter relocated to the steering column, the center console is clutter-free, allowing for an elevated, center-mounted wireless charging pad that’s easy to access. There are ample cupholders and storage spaces above and below the console, and a high-definition touchscreen mounted in the dash with a low learning curve. However, it’s positioned at a distance from the driver, so you have to actively get off your seatback to reach the screen. While it was smart to relocate the gear lever to the lower steering column to free up precious center space, taller folks will inevitably knock their knees on it if they catch it at the wrong angle during ingress or egress. Hard plastic versus Kneecap always equals pain, and we recommend the first mod for taller Palisade owners: stick some styrofoam on the bottom of the stalk.

There’s a general calmness to the cabin, and you can tell this was a well-engineered product from a focused, down-to-earth team that understands Palisade customers’ needs. Rather than implement flashy but lazy features that try to be overly innovative, like the driver-focused dashcam in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, or the overly syntnetic cabin scents in the Lincoln Navigator, Hyundai focused their efforts on developing more comfortable, heated, 4-way powered third-row seats, an auto-levelling rear suspension for better comfort and trunk loading, and cabin packaging that allows for excellent visibility that rivals even that of the Subaru Forester thanks to tall windows and an expansive windscreen. Furthermore, the gigantic center cupholders can hold our 40oz water bottle, and drivers can adjust every seat from the touchscreen, including turning on heated seats and prepping the seating arrangement when picking up your cohort.

Which is not to say that Hyundai doesn’t know how to have fun. The steering wheel oddly resembles the Defender’s, but it is designed to resemble a robot vacuum cleaner, with its arms raised like Wall-E’s. The airbag cover also sports a cryptic four-dot logo, Morse code for the letter H, and the dots change colour when you select a new drive mode. Clever. There’s even a UV-C light sanitizing function inside the center console box. Temu sells a ton of these devices for cheap, but it’s convenient to have one integrated into your vehicle so you can throw your phone inside. It would have been especially handy during the pandemic. 

We can never find a proper seating position in any of the Hyundais we drive. The steering wheel does not telescope very close to the driver’s chest, and the column is mounted so low that my knees keep bumping into it. The headrest isn’t adjustable fore or aft, and it’s too hunched forward, making us sit uncomfortably. The seats offer a wide range of adjustability, and the leather is soft and supportive, but the wheel and pedal arrangement doesn’t suit my six-foot, slim build and makes me feel like I’m driving a school bus with such an acutely angled seatback. 

The Palisade is available with two powertrains: a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 that generates 287 hp, and the Hybrid we’re testing, which uses a 2.5-litre turbo-four mated to a 6-speed automatic, producing 329 hp. The hybrid unit works much like a Toyota or Lexus Hybrid, slipping into electric-only mode when cruising or under light loads, such as at speeds below 50 km/h. This allows you to navigate parking garages like a ninja, seamlessly transitioning to combustion propulsion when you press the gas pedal. Whereas Toyota hybrids are much more conservative and prefer to switch to engine power even for the mildest acceleration demands, the Palisade isn’t as reluctant, provided the battery has enough juice, and it tries to stay in EV mode for as long as possible. 

The Hybrid unit offers decent acceleration and usable power, but it’s more glacial and progressive than its non-hybrid counterpart, taking its time to reach triple-digit speeds but without breaking a sweat. The engine and 6-speed gearbox thrash and emit unflattering noises and whines that are noticeable even inside the cabin, suggesting the noise insulation isn’t as effective as that of the rival Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Like the Santa Fe, the Palisade’s brake pedal requires a firm press to engage, and it could use more initial bite to give the driver more confidence in the brakes. The same goes for the flinty ride, which is more absorbent than the Santa Fe, but isn’t as polished or as composed over rougher surfaces as the Honda Passport or Pilot. 

On a positive note, the Palisade Hybrid is fuel-efficient and offers significant range benefits. A full gas tank lasted us just over 800 km, and we averaged 12.4 L/100 km/h with an equal mix of city and highway driving – not as good as we predicted, but that’s typically the case when testing in winter conditions below freezing, which put extra strain on batteries with the extra heating requirements. 

The new Hyundai Palisade is a boldly designed yet smartly engineered product that makes family duties and multi-passenger hauling a breeze, thanks to a spacious cabin replete with smart, ergonomically designed features. It may not be the best-riding or most engaging SUV on the road, but we doubt its target audience will mind. Instead, this family hauler excels in what matters: ergonomics, cabin space, and functional amenities. If those are important to you in an eight-seat SUV, then the Palisade is a top contender. 

Specifications:

Model: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy Hybrid
Paint Type: Classy Blue
Base Price: $65,949
Price as Tested: $65,949
Wheelbase(mm): 2,970
Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,065 / 1,980 / 1,805
Curb weight (kg): 2,275
Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, hybrid
Horsepower: 329 combined hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque: 339 combined lb-ft @ 1,800-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 12.4
Tires: P265/45/R21