Hyundai’s popular three-row mid-size SUV gets a ground-up redesign to kick off its second generation, gaining all-new styling, a larger backseat, an off-road-oriented XRT Pro trim and its first hybrid powertrain. The 2026 Palisade debuted at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year.
The Palisade has been one of our favorite SUVs — it nabbed the top spot in our 2024 3-Row SUV Challenge and was also crowned our Best Family Car of 2025 — and the new one looks to be another winner. The new XRT Pro trim is in keeping with current SUV trends; adventure-focused touches like a 1-inch higher ride height, all-terrain tires, hill descent control and orange tow hooks are genuine off-road upgrades, though we suspect many owners will choose the XRT Pro primarily as a fashion statement.
The 2025 Palisade’s sole engine is a 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 that delivers ho-hum fuel economy, so the new hybrid powertrain will likely be the 2026 Palisade’s biggest asset. It’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that pairs with two electric motors for a total output of 329 hp and at least 30 mpg on the highway, according to Hyundai. In addition to the hybrid powertrain, a 287-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine will be available.
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