The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is a part of the second-generation for this automobile, and it marks the primary time this three-row SUV will get an electrified powertrain. We’ve seen hybrids from Hyundai Motor America for the reason that 2011 mannequin yr, and actually, the Tucson, Elantra, Santa Fe and Sonata have all had hybrid choices. So, the large query is: Was it well worth the wait?
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
In brief: Sure.
Let’s dig into this new powertrain and why it’s so good.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid system
Hyundai is looking the hybrid powertrain within the new Palisade a next-generation system. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter, inline-4 turbocharged engine and paired with two electrical motors. It has a main drive motor that’s built-in into the transmission for propulsion after which a secondary motor that begins the engine and regenerates the battery. Beforehand, Hyundai has solely utilized a one-motor system.
The top result’s higher effectivity in addition to extra energy.
Mixed output for the hybrid powertrain is 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This can be a lot extra energy than we see from the three.5-liter V-6 within the gas-only mannequin that delivers 287 horsepower.
Along with extra energy, mixed gas economic system is estimated to be greater than 30 mpg. Although our temporary day-long drive is hardly a real instance of precise gas economic system, I can say we had been averaging 31.6 mpg. So, our preliminary check, no less than, reveals this must be pretty correct.
However is it actually that clean?
One of many first issues I seen once I bought behind the wheel was the sleek supply of energy–each as we got here out of a cease mild and after we had been merging on the freeway. This isn’t going to be throw-you-back-in-the-seat quick. It received’t make yr abdomen do flip flops. However it’s good clean energy that will get the job carried out with out lag.
I additionally didn’t discover a clunky transition between hybrid and fuel operation.
I’ve all the time thought the Hyundai hybrids had been superb, however this powertrain undoubtedly helps Hyundai stage up, and I’d put this next-gen system on par with Honda and Toyota hybrids.
Costlier, however get a refund in 2 years?
As you’ll anticipate, the pricing for the hybrid is extra. The bottom value of the common Palisade is $39,435, excluding vacation spot, and also you’ll have to pay no less than $44,160 to get right into a hybrid. Nevertheless, it’s value noting the bottom trim for the internal-combustion engine (ICE) automobile is the SE, and the bottom trim for the Hybrid is the SEL.
As execs identified in the course of the Palisade Hybrid preview, the value premium is definitely a lot much less whenever you examine comparably geared up fashions. Melvyn Bautista, the product planning supervisor for the Palisade Hybrid, particularly said there’s a $2,220 value distinction whenever you examine apples to apples by way of trim and tools from ICE to Hybrid. Nevertheless, whenever you take a look at the sticker sheet, gas prices for the hybrid are about $2,000 much less. Meaning, in concept, you need to make your a refund in about two years.
Pricing and Trim Ranges
Pricing for hybrid trim ranges, with out the $1,600 vacation spot charges, is:
- SEL: $44,160
- SEL Premium: $47,520
- Restricted: $51,990
- Calligraphy: $56,780
These are front-wheel-drive fashions. All-wheel drive will add $2,000.
ICE vs Hybrid variations
By way of appears to be like, there actually aren’t many seen variations. You’ll see a discreet hybrid badge on the again of the HEV fashions, however that’s it by way of design variations.
However outdoors of the powertrain, there are two massive belongings you’ll see on the hybrid that aren’t on the fuel variations. The primary is “Keep Mode,” which is able to permit you to keep in park in EV mode for 30 to 40 minutes so long as your battery is charged as much as 80%. Together with that, you’ll see obtainable loosen up and recline seats within the first and second rows. We’ve seen these in Hyundai EVs, however that is the primary time we’re seeing it in hybrid mannequin.
Design
Although the design, particularly the headlight therapy, may be thought of polarizing, we like the general styling of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid–that features each the inside and exterior. We respect the minimalist sprint and middle stack, however we totally respect the buttons and dials for incessantly touched gadgets–just like the HVAC and audio controls.
We additionally respect the tech you may get on the Palisade. From the usual wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the obtainable blind view monitor that reveals your blind spots within the behind-the-wheel gauges, there’s a number of intuitive and simple to make use of high-tech options.
Since we had been within the Calligraphy trim, we solely had entry to the very best of the very best, however the inside supplies and accents on that mannequin felt and seemed very excessive finish. The suede headliner was notably bougie, and I couldn’t assist considering I’d need that materials as one thing I’d placed on my clothes.
Lastly, the Third-row on the highest trims is very well carried out. With heated energy slide and recline seats, you possibly can really modify the consolation stage for these passengers. However outdoors of that, we favored the general consolation of the seats, and the massive rear home windows hold passengers from feeling claustrophobic.
Wants some work
There have been only some issues we didn’t like. First up, in the event you’re going to maintain your telephone within the wi-fi charger for greater than a half hour, it might overheat. We tried it with our case on and off, and it had the identical end result: a message stating that charging had stopped resulting from our telephone overheating. Subsequent, we predict the bottle holders on the door a bit awkward. They’re too slender to carry a 17-ounch Yeti-brand container, so if in case you have espresso and water bottles for each front-seat passengers, you’ll be overloaded with drinks.
Lastly, and this solely applies to petite drivers, with the loosen up and recline seats, there’s slightly additional materials on the entrance of the motive force’s seat. Because of this it pushes your knees slightly nearer to the underbelly of the sprint. I discovered myself hitting my knees when coming into the automobile and when shifting between fuel and brake pedals.
Our take
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is a wonderful electrified mannequin. It has the correct quantity of energy and loads of effectivity. Getting 30+ mpg in a 3-row automobile is nothing to sneeze at. Contemplating the facilities you get for the value tag (all-in at lower than $60,000 with heated third-row seats!), we think about this a no brainer. It drives properly and has a lot of the options you can probably need on a household automobile.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is on sale now.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Footage
Click on under for enlarged pictures
2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Overview, Costs, and Specs
