What engine and hybrid system does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid use?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid pairs a turbocharged 2.5 liter four cylinder engine with two integrated electric motors and a six speed automatic transmission, delivering about 15 percent more horsepower and 30 percent more torque than the Palisade’s 3.5 liter V6.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid available with all wheel drive?

Yes, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid comes standard with front wheel drive, and all wheel drive is available. All wheel drive models also offer selectable Terrain modes for Mud, Sand and Snow.

What fuel economy and range can you expect from the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid?

In testing, an all wheel drive Calligraphy trim Palisade Hybrid returned 30.2 miles per gallon combined compared to its 29 mpg combined rating, for an estimated range of more than 528 miles per tank. The most efficient front wheel drive SEL Hybrid is rated at 34 mpg combined and a total range of about 619 miles.

How much passenger and cargo space does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offer?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offers three rows of seating with available second row captain’s chairs and a power reclining third row, along with 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

What features come on the different 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid trims?

Palisade Hybrid trims include SEL, SEL Premium, Limited and Calligraphy. Even the SEL includes a 12.3 inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB C ports, wireless charging, heated front seats and tri zone climate control. SEL Premium adds ventilated front seats and heated and ventilated second row captain’s chairs, the Limited brings power third row reclining seats with heat, and the Calligraphy adds a head up display and an integrated dash cam with a 64 GB SD card.

How much does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid cost?

A front wheel drive SEL 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid starts at $45,760 including a $1,600 destination charge. All wheel drive adds about $2,000, and a fully loaded Calligraphy with all wheel drive and every available feature comes in at just over $60,000.

Fast Facts | 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

⚡ Hybrid Output: Turbo 2.5L plus dual motors for stronger low-end pull
🚗 Transmission: Smooth six-speed auto with clean, unobtrusive shifts
🌱 Efficiency: 29–34 mpg combined depending on trim and drive type
🛣️ Range: 528–619 miles per tank in real-world conditions
💺 Seating: Captain’s chairs with Relaxation mode and power third row
📱 Cabin Tech: 12.3-inch screen, wireless CarPlay, tri-zone climate
🔒 Safety: SmartSense with Highway Driving Assist and lane change support

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Hyundai is on a bit of an electrification tear lately. It offers EV, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid versions of most of its vehicles, and Hyundai Motor Group plans to bring eighteen more hybrids to the market by 2030.

2026 marks the second generation of the Palisade, and it's the first time the popular three-row gets the hybrid treatment, and it's a peach. Let’s dive into this all-new midsize SUV and see what makes it so darn good.

A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Hybrid Review front view

A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Hybrid Review side view

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It’s a Looker

The Palisade hybrid is available in SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. That’s fewer trims than the gas-powered Palisade, but the feature list is the same across both models. In other words, if the traditional SEL Premium has the features you want, the hybrid version will have them too. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is also available.

For this model year, it gained over two inches in both length and wheelbase, which translates to a roomy interior. The front is dominated by a large, horizontally slatted grille with corresponding horizontal breaks in the large LED headlight assembly. That design motif continues in the rear LED taillights as well. Add on its overall boxy silhouette, and you’ve got a flagship SUV with a commanding presence, especially when coupled with the Robust Emerald Pearl paint.

My Calligraphy tester didn’t have the cool green paint job, but the light gray interior made up for it. I especially liked the navy blue upper dash that brought a bit of warmth into the cabin. A gorgeous brown is also available, but without the contrasting upper dash, it seems like color overkill. If you want a plain black interior, Hyundai will sell you that as well.

A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Hybrid rear view

A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Hybrid Review cargo view

Turbo + Electrons = More Power

While the standard Palisade gets a 3.5-liter V6 engine, the hybrid makes use of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. However, with the two integrated motors, the system puts out 15 percent more horsepower and 30 percent more torque than the V6. And yeah, it’s noticeable. The hybrid scoots off the line with a fair amount of aplomb — it’s still a heavy three-row SUV, so don’t expect blistering acceleration — and power delivery is smooth and easy. A six-speed automatic transmission gets power to the pavement, and it does its job in the background. I hardly noticed it shifting either up or down a gear.

My tester was equipped with all-wheel drive, plus Terrain mode with options for Mud, Sand, and Snow. Unfortunately, my drive was on the paved roads of the hill country in Texas, but it’s nice to know the car can optimize the system for those specific parameters.

Curious why hybrids like the Palisade deliver huge range gains over gas-only SUVs? This explainer breaks down exactly where those savings come from: Hybrid Cars 101

Instead, I enjoyed the crisp turn-in and confident braking as I wound my way through the back roads near Austin. Some two-lane roads had a speed limit of 70 miles per hour, and the Palisade handled the curves at these higher speeds with grace. The steering weight was on the heavier side, which I enjoyed, and the suspension soaked up what few bumps and potholes I experienced along the way.

At the end of my day with the Palisade in Calligraphy trim with all-wheel drive, I saw a fuel economy of 30.2 miles per gallon combined, beating the 29 mpg combined my spec is supposed to get. In theory, that would put my range at over 528 miles per tank of fuel. The most efficient Palisade is in the base trim and front-wheel drive, rated for 34 mpg combined and a total range of 619 miles.

A dark gray 2026 Hyundai Hybrid Review interior view

Family-Friendly Features

Now, if you’re looking at a three-row SUV, I assume you’ve got family members who will utilize the second and third row. You can get a second row bench if you need to haul around seven passengers, but my tester had the captain’s chairs with the Relaxation mode built in. These have more legroom than much of the class and are supportive and comfortable. However, they move forward very slowly to provide access to the third row.

The third row has comparable legroom to what you’ll find in midsize three-row SUVs from Toyota, Ford, and Honda, but it would be a stretch to fit three across back there. However, the power recline is a nice touch, and you could squeeze a full-grown adult back there if the seats were scooted all the way back. The good news is that there are air vents, four cupholders, and two USB-C ports in the third row, so at least your wayback passengers have a modicum of comfort.

Behind the third row, there is 19.1 cubic feet of space, which is good for the class. However, once you start folding down seats to access the 46.3 and 86.7 cubic feet of space, the numbers aren’t quite as impressive.

Like any Hyundai, the Palisade is loaded with features, especially on the higher trims. However, even the base SEL comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports and wireless charging, heated front seats, and tri-zone climate control. Ventilated front seats and heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs kick in for the SEL Premium trim, and the Limited adds power third-row reclining seats with heat. The top Calligraphy trim adds a head-up display and an integrated dash cam with a locally-stored 64GB SD card.

Comparing the Palisade to other kid haulers on your list? Take a look at our roundup of top family hybrid SUVs: Best Hybrid SUVs for Families

All trims get the new Stay mode, meant to power things like the HVAC system and infotainment using the Palisade’s hybrid battery, not the 12-volt. Essentially, it can keep passengers in comfort without the engine idling. As someone who has left her stereo on while taking a quick snooze on a long road trip and drained her battery, I really love this feature.

Also standard is Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of driver aids, including blind-spot warning, forward-collision alert and assist, lane-keeping assist, parking sensors, Highway Driving Assist, and more. While I didn't get to test out all the safety features on my drive, the Highway Driving Assist, which combines lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, did a great job in the rush hour traffic outside of Austin. It kept the car centered in the lane, didn't panic when a big ol’ Texan truck cut me off, and performed lane changes smoothly and efficiently.

Not Your Everyday SUV

The Palisade hybrid’s most differentiating feature is that there aren’t too many midsize three-row hybrid SUVs out there. The Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid is comparable, but the standard Highlander hybrid is much smaller. Toyota offers the Sequoia in a hybrid powertrain, but that's geared more for the adventurous family looking to get off the beaten path. Mazda offers a plug-in hybrid, as does Volvo, and you can get some mild hybrid offerings from luxury automakers like Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz. Neither Honda nor Ford offers hybrid versions of their midsize three-row SUVs.

A front-wheel drive SEL Palisade hybrid starts at $45,760, including $1,600 for destination. Expect to pay a $2,000 premium for all-wheel drive. My top-dog Calligraphy with all-wheel drive and all the features you could possibly want comes in at just over $60,000. That’s inching into luxury-SUV territory — a bit of a tough pill to swallow.

For under $50,000, you can get a front-wheel drive SEL Premium, which I think hits the right balance of features and price. Sure, you’ll miss out on the power third row of the Limited trim and the integrated dash cam that comes with the Calligraphy, but neither of those could be considered dealbreakers. Further, the SEL Premium can return 34 mpg combined, and isn’t that the whole reason to buy a hybrid in the first place?

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