This is the most beautiful Hyundai ever. But there are things to think about.
Climbing into the 2026 Hyundai Palisade I feel like I’ve entered someone’s posh living room. The interior reminds me of the chic yet relaxed Cloud sofa (IYKYK). I feel inspired to sit back in my seat and sip my coffee, then place it on the elegant console between the seats when I need to put it down.
The wide front dash is more like a Danish credenza with curved edges sloping toward the doors. The wide multimedia screen is nestled under its top, almost hidden from view—certainly hidden from glare. Leather, textured wood and metal frame the dash and the view, which is, of course, your destination. Any view, from a deep blue ocean to a cold, wintry soccer field, will look better from these seats and framed by this cabin.
This is the nicest car Hyundai has ever built.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade has More Space, More Finely Redesigned
Between the front seats the 2026 Hyundai Palisade features a floating center console. It’s a beautiful place to put your coffee or water bottle, to plug in your phone or to rest your phone on the wireless phone charger. The console is also lined in the wood trim that accents the front dash, the only other place you’ll see it.
Under the floating console is a wide tray for a handbag and a 12V outlet if there’s a need for more power. I really loved this feature, even though its not big enough for my large tote bag; it’ll fit the average handbag nicely.
The light in the cabin is just right thanks to the large windows, dual pane sunroof and high roofline. Our test model, outfitted in creamy light gray Nappa leather, reflected gorgeous light on every seat. This design idea extended beyond the front seat to the second and 3rd rows, too.
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We Have to Talk About This Exterior Design
This is a big deal: Rather than creating an iterative look based on the outgoing model, Hyundai completely re-thought the look and function of the 2026 Palisade—and for the sake of buyers, I hope they stick with it for a long time. I have a feeling they will; it’s that good.
The new look starts with a large, flat front grille that takes a minimalist approach: horizontal slats define the grille that joins the stacked daytime running lights that frame the front end; a light bar joins them at the top of the grille.
Like a light sconce, the Palisade’s stacked DLRs are created from etched metal so they glow; instead of looking at string lights or bulbs, you’re presented with a frosted vessel that illuminates without blinding you. The DLRs frame the headlights and high beam bulbs to better focus their light.
The rear tail lights take on a similar look with stacked red lights and a large stack of pixel-style lights that flash when the car locks or unlocks. The reverse lights are low linear lines of white light under the lower bumper and a single line of red light illuminates along the upper spoiler at night or when the brake is applied. To keep the rear end design minimal, the windshield wiper is tucked underneath the rear spoiler.
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Go Ahead, Rearrange the Furniture
“There’s not a bad seat in this car,” my friend and drive partner Jana said. Sitting in the second row, I had to agree: The seatbelt receptacles are lighted so you can find them in the dark; there’s a pull-out drawer under the center console so you have a place to store your things. A large glass roof extends over the 2nd and 3rd row so everyone gets a lot of light. Most in the trim lineup have sun shades for the rear windows.
There is a center row bench option in the SE and SEL models; the rest come with center row captains chairs. Best of all, though, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is 2.7” longer than the original model and that extra space translates to rear seat legroom. I measured 35” between the center seat and the driver’s seat set for me (I’m 5’8”). I could push the center seat further forward, and in the Limited and Calligraphy models, it’ll fully recline—Hyundai calls them Relaxation Seats, and this feature is found on the front seats, too.
Even the 3rd row can recline and move forward or back, allowing for more leg room, more cargo space or more relaxing. All the seats are adjustable so you can configure them how they best for for you.
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Rear Seat Amenities Greet Every Rear Seat Passenger
In addition to the storage drawer in the rear of the center console, second row passengers will find a household outlet on the console and USB ports in the seat backs for the front seats—a typical Hyundai detail. There are bottle pockets in the doors but no cupholders, though I found the drawer to be a good place to pop a water bottle when I needed someplace to put it.
Above, on the ceiling, is a climate control panel with buttons for temperature and fan speed, as well as heated seats (vented seats are included on the Calligraphy edition). Jana pointed out that the climate panel may be out of reach for smaller passengers, but no worries: Anyone can use “hey Hyundai” voice assistance and ask for whatever you need if you can’t reach the controls.
There are four air vents in the ceiling—two for the center row and two for the 3rd row, and 3rd row passengers will find buttons for the heated seats (again, in the Calligraphy edition), USB ports and cup holders. There are speakers for the new Bose sound system throughout the car so everyone has a front row seat to the music.
What isn’t included is an entertainment system; you’ll have to bring your own, but that’s easy enough. Most of us do, anyway.
How Kids Car Seats Fit in the 2026 Hyundai Palisade
With all that leg room it’s easy to see: Kids car seats are an easy fit. In fact, the rear doors are really wide—they are wider to better access the 3rd row—which will make installing car seats easy. And there are four full sets of LATCHes—two in the center row and two in the 3rd row so car seats can easily be installed in both rows.
All models also include pre-tensioning seat belts in all rows, meaning the seatbelts tighten up if the car stops suddenly. This is a nice feature for wiggly kids but it’s important to be sure car seat-sized kids are seated at the proper height so a tightening seat belt doesn’t tighten against a child’s neck.
This, along with adjustable 3rd row seats, slide and tilt center row seats, air vents in the ceiling and a nice amount of cargo space behind the 3rd row makes this one of the better 3rd rows for car seats on the market.
The Caveat to Consider: Power Seats Are Not Right For Everyone
Hyundai went the distance to ensure that the center row seats are easy to accommodate 3rd row access … not far enough. Center row seats have been designed to slide and tilt with a child car seat LATCH installed to allow 3rd row access. Just push a button the lower side of the seat or on the seat shoulder and the seat slides forward, lifts and tilts.
The problem is that it’ll do this when there’s a passenger in the seat; there is not a weight limit to the function (which other carmakers have instituted; it’s usually around 30 or 40 pounds)
So I did what any rabbler-rousing third-grader would do: I sat in the seat and pushed the button. The seat pushed forward crushing my knees into the back of the front seat, stopping after there was quite a lot of pressure on my knees. Trying it again later I found I had to physically stop the seat by pushing the button again.
Only the Calligraphy model has this power function; the rest of the lineup features a mechanical/power combination that releases the seat and allows it to spring and slide forward. I tried the third grader test on this seat and found that it won’t release or spring forward when there’s weight in the seat—as it should.
Because of this I have a hard time recommending the Calligraphy edition of the 2026 Palisade; the Limited edition, which has nearly all the same features as Calligraphy, has a much safer seating configuration.
Convinced? The Hybrid May Be Worth Waiting For
In a few short months Hyundai will roll out the very first hybrid edition and while I haven’t driven it or seen pricing, I can already tell it’s being done right and will be worth the wait and cost. It’ll bring the HP up to 329 and MPG up to about 34 from the current 21. Other more powerful hybrids in the Hyundai lineup have a price jump of about $4,700 but also deliver more premium features to help justify the cost.
If the top trims are on your wish list, wait for the more powerful more efficient hybrid.
What The Hyundai Palisade Costs
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is available in seven trims and all can be optioned with all wheel drive for an additional $2,000. Here’s how they break down:
SE with V6 engine, signature lighting, smart sense safety suite 100W USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 12” screen with navigation, seatbelt pre-tensioners in all rows, Bluelink, Hyundai Pay and digital features, starts at $38,935
SEL adds smart tailgate, leatherette seating, 2nd row captains chairs, 12” driver display, wireless phone charger heated front seats, 2nd row window shades, roof rails starts at $41,440
SEL Convenience adds power moonroof, Digital key 2
SEL Premium adds surround view monitor, front and 2nd row heated and vented seats, ambient lighting, park avoidance assistance and warning starts at $44,800
XRT Pro adds all terrain tires, electronic limited slip differential, 8.4” ground clearance front and rear recovery hooks, pitch and roll compass, factory installed two hitch, Bose premium audio, ground view monitoring up to 6MPH, starts at $49,370
Limited adds 20” wheels, gloss black moldings, illuminated “hidden lighting” daytime running lights, dual pane moonroof, leather seating, heated 3rd row power adjustable seats, Bose premium audio 115v power outlet starts at $49,270
Calligraphy adds a unique grille, 21” wheels, Nappa leather, ergo-motion driver’s seat, front and 2nd row relaxation seats, integrated dash cam, digital rear view mirror, highway drive assist with remote smart park assist, 2nd row power seats, center console with UV sterilizer, head up display starts at $54,060
ADW adds $2,000 though standard on XRT
Destination $1,495
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade can tow up to 5,000 lbs. and some models include a built-in tow hitch that’s covered by a nice clean panel so you can hide it away.
The Nicest Hyundai Ever Just Rolled Into My Dreams
If there’s anything that Hyundai wants to do for you, it’s to be everything you want and need in a car, from nicely equipped to off-road ready to Cloud sofa-like luxury. That’s what drove the design of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade: aspirational features, future-forward tech and interior design that feels designed more than assembled. This family-focused SUV, with its soft edges and curved surfaces, with leather, with so many interior and exterior color options and intuitive, non-invasive tech. is thoughtful at almost every turn. There are a couple of stumbles, but nothing that can’t be figured out.
For a 3-row SUV this modern and beautiful, and at this price, it’s worth putting in the effort. The only real question? Whether or not you should wait for the hybrid.
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