2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

You could’ve called the Hyundai Palisade the rookie of the year when it first arrived on the scene in 2020. It was as good as or better than well-established veterans in the competitive class of midsize 3-row SUVs, and it’s been one of our favorites in its class ever since. Now, the Palisade is getting even better for 2026 as it enters its second generation. The first-ever Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is part of the redesign, and a non-hybrid version (reviewed separately) will still be available. The new Palisade stays true to form with a spacious and upscale 3-row interior, class-leading warranty coverage, and luxurious upper trims but adds a modern new look, updated technology, and what Hyundai calls a “reimagined third row.”

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is all-new for 2026 as part of the Palisade’s second-generation debut. The first-gen Palisade first came out in 2020, and this is the first time it’s offering a hybrid powertrain. The new Palisade has a fresh look that’s sure to turn heads with a unique light signature and body lines that are boxy yet distinct. The already-roomy interior gets a little bigger, and it’s fully redesigned. One of the highlights of the new interior is the dual panoramic displays comprising a digital gauge cluster and a feature-rich infotainment display.

We estimate that the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid will start at about $48,000 for the base Blue SEL Premium trim. This would be a big jump in starting price over the non-hybrid Palisade, but that version has the more affordable SE and SEL trims slotted below its non-Blue SEL Premium trim (“Blue” means “hybrid” in Hyundai-speak). For the Limited and Calligraphy trims, expect to pay around $3,000 extra for the hybrid powertrain over their V6-powered counterparts.

We’re eager to climb into the cabin of the all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. Interior space and seat comfort are strong suits of the outgoing model, and the new model should be even better in those important criteria. We never cared for the gearshift buttons in the Palisade, and the new model replaces those with a steering column shifter that turns like an old-fashioned key for shifting into drive and reverse. We also like the dual 12.3-inch displays when we’ve tested them in other Hyundai models, so we welcome their addition to the Palisade.

Hyundai says the new Palisade has a “reimagined third row.” In addition to a little extra space in the way-back seats, it has bigger windows back there, letting in more natural light, which should help to make it feel a little less cramped while improving visibility for the driver. Interestingly, the Palisade Hybrid’s second row has less leg room than the non-hybrid by about an inch and a half, but the cargo space and third-row leg room are the same. Something to keep in mind if you want maximum interior space.

A few new interior options we look forward to testing include Relaxation seats (recliners with leg supports), 100-watt fast-charging USB-C ports, and a Bose 14-speaker surround audio system. Since Blue SEL Premium is the base trim in the Palisade Hybrid, a few upscale standard features include H-Tex leatherette seats, second-row captain’s chairs (a bench is optional), heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, rear sun shades, and a surround-view camera.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid gets a bold look in line with the non-hybrid model. Stacked LED blocks make up the front and rear light signatures while pronounced wheel arches give the body a little muscle. A rugged-looking XRT Pro model is part of the Palisade’s redesign, but it’s not available with the hybrid powertrain.

Hybrid powertrain
This is the first time the wonderful Hyundai Palisade has ever offered a hybrid option. On paper, it makes more power and torque than the V6 in the non-hybrid Palisade, and it can tow up to 4,000 pounds. We can’t wait to test it.

Dual 12.3-inch displays
These big, high-tech, and user-friendly displays serve as the digital gauge cluster and infotainment display. We love them in every Hyundai model we’ve tested.

Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
These essential smartphone connectivity features make it effortless to bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in the car without taking your phone out of your purse or pocket. It’s always good to see them come standard.

Relaxation seating
Available Relaxation seating brings recliners to the second-row and front passenger seats of the Palisade Hybrid. Power reclining seats with leg supports used to be reserved for expensive luxury vehicles, but now they’re available in a Hyundai family SUV.

100-watt capable USB-C ports
Pretty much every new car has USB-C ports, but the ones in the Palisade Hybrid are capable of charging at speeds of up to 100 watts. That means faster charging for your devices, and it can even keep a laptop powered up through demanding tasks like gaming and video streaming.

Hyundai Digital Key 2.0
Can’t find your keys? No problem. With the new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, you can use your phone as a key. Your smartphone or smartwatch can lock, unlock, and start this SUV, and you can even share digital keys with family and friends.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid’s power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors and a 6-speed automatic transmission, which produces a net output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. For reference, the V6 in the non-hybrid Palisade produces 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade Hybrid has a max tow rating of 4,000 pounds.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid will continue the Hyundai tradition of class-leading warranty coverage. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, matched only by the Kia Telluride in this class.