Text by Tom Appel
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Color: Cast Iron Brown
Country of manufacture: South Korea
Seating capacity: 6
Miles driven: 107
Real-world fuel economy: 22.5 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 329-horsepower, 2.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Hybrid Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 29/30/29 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular
Base price: $58,780 (not including $1600 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Floor mats ($245)
Price as tested: $60,625
Audio-System Brand
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy, refined, now offered with hybrid powertrain
The good: Quiet cabin, excellent ride quality, modern design
The not so good: Pricey in top trim levels
Review
While compact crossovers remain American consumer’s favorite vehicle type, there is a shift in the action when it comes to midsize crossovers. Rather suddenly—nothing actually happens all that quickly in the auto world—buyers of new midsize crossovers have taken a liking to 3-row examples of the breed.
This trend is so compelling that Ford has dropped the 2-row Edge from its lineup, and Toyota is dropping the Highlander, leaving the immensely popular 3-row Grand Highlander in its place. (The Highlander returns for 2027 as an electric vehicle. You can learn all about that transformation here.)
Midsize Crossover Sales
For proof that the 3-row crossover is on a hot streak, check out these sales figures for calendar-year 2025:
Ford Explorer (222,706)- Chevrolet Traverse (148,278)
- Toyota Grand Highlander (136,801)
- Kia Telluride (128,281)
- Honda Pilot (124,209)
- Hyundai Palisade (123,929)
- Nissan Pathfinder (101,598)
Together, these 6 nameplates comprise more than 6 percent of the U.S. market. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also sells in significant volume, but Stellantis does not break out 2-row and 3-row take rates, but we do know that the model racked up an impressive 210,082 combined sales last year.
New Hybrid Option
While the Palisade sits low on the “top 7” list, it’s almost certain to see significant shopper interest for 2026. Redesign for the new model year, the popular Hyundai not only looks and feels new, it is also available for the first time with a hybrid drivetrain.
Of the vehicles listed above, the Grand Highlander is the only other model offered as a hybrid for 2026. Note that the 2027 Telluride, rolling into dealerships right now, will offer a hybrid option.
As Hyundai has announced vague plans to produce additional Palisades for U.S. consumption in 2026, and that most of the additional vehicles will be hybrids, we anticipate significant sales growth for the family-friendly crossover.
Palisade Hybrid Trim Levels
For 2026, is offered in a mind-blowing 7 conventional trim levels, plus 5 additional hybrid models. Here’s the hybrid lineup:
- Blue SEL: $45,760
- Blue SEL Premium: $49,120
- SEL Premium: $51,120
- Limited $53,590
- Calligraphy $58,380
Note: The non-hybrid Palisade lineup starts with the entry-level $41,035 SE. As the hybrid Palisade series starts with the midlevel SEL trim level, the price of entry for a hybrid Palisade—almost $5000–is not insignificant.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of the 2026 Palisade Hybrid in top-tier Calligraphy trim. All told, our AWD Cast Iron Brown test car came to $60,625, including destination.
Here we’d like to share with you or five favorite features of the redesigned Palisade. Read on…
Five Cool Things About the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
It’s a little bigger
For 2026, the Palisade grows a little big in almost every dimensions Wheelbase increases almost 3 inches, while overall length is up almost 4 inches depending on trim level. As a result of this expansion, headroom is up slightly in every seating row, as is legroom. While we never found the Palisade wanting for passenger space, we welcome the added room.
It’s very nice inside
In Calligraphy trim, the Palisade plays credibly against premium brand vehicles, including the Lexus TX. We like simple shapes and general elegance of the cabin, which is remarkably hushed on the highway. We were impressed by the quality of materials used to line the Palisade cabin, and the workmanship in apparently top notch.
The controls, too, are generally simple to operate, and we’d like to thank Palisade product planners for not forcing the climate switchgear onto the touchscreen.
It’s very nice outside
We realize that design is subjective, but we find the redesigned Palisade both modern looking and refreshingly free of unnecessary flourishes. We’re baffled as to why Hyundai chose to call this color Cast Iron Brown—which feels inappropriately rustic for a vehicle this modern, but we appreciate the hue itself, which is a pleasant alternative to all the white, gray, and silver vehicles clogging the Interstates.
It’s a great hybrid
As noted above, while the Palisade’s beefy 3.5-liter V6 returns for 2026, it is augmented this year by an all-new hybrid powertrain. For the Palisade Hybrid, Hyundai pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a pair of electric motors and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 329 horsepower, a nice bump over the standard V6, which is rated at 287. All-wheel drive is a $2000 option on every Palisade Hybrid trim level.
The great news is that the hybrid setup delivers plenty of smooth power from a stop or once underway, and never reveals itself to be a hybrid. Unfortunately, our time in the Palisade Hybrid coincided one of the most severe cold snaps in recent Chicago history. Cold, as you may know compromises the operation of a hybrid (or EV) battery.
Still, we averaged just shy of 23 mpg, better than the 20 mpg we observed while testing a previous-generation V6 Palisade.
Note that the “Blue” models (Blue SEL and Blue SEL Premium) trade some performance for improved fuel economy. Indeed, the Blue Palisade Hybrids return an EPA estimated combined fuel-economy 3 mpg higher than the non-Blue examples.
It’s likely to be more widely available
If you’ve gone Palisade shopping in past, you likely took note of a limited supply of certain trim levels and particular colors. If, as we’ve heard reported, Hyundai increases Palisade allocations to the U.S., finding the exact vehicle you want should be less of a hassle. That said we’re predicting an early run on the Palisade Hybrid, so you may want to shop early, to plan on being patient. We recommend waiting if you need to, this to insure you get the exact vehicle you had hoped to own.
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2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Pictures
