Hyundai Palisade (2026) Review

The first Palisade succeeded because it treated the third row as seating rather than storage, and the second generation extends the lead. It is longer, the rear doors open wider, and the back bench slides and reclines enough that a grown adult can sit there for two hours without complaint, with proper vents, cupholders and charging points to go with it. Interior quality on the upper trims is startling for the money, with quilted leather, real damped switchgear and a wide curved display, and the Calligraphy specification includes items that are options on cars costing twenty thousand more.

The 3.5 litre V6 makes 287 horsepower and is smooth and quiet without being economical, while the new hybrid is the sensible pick for anyone doing school runs. Towing is adequate rather than serious. The compromises are ordinary Hyundai ones. Fuel economy from the V6 sits in the low twenties, residual values trail the Telluride and the Japanese benchmarks, and reliability records are good rather than immaculate. As a device for moving seven people comfortably, very little at the price does it better.