The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is a part of the second-generation for this car, 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 12 months, and in reality, the Tucson, Elantra, Santa Fe and Sonata have all had hybrid choices. So, the massive query is: Was it definitely 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 asking 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. It is 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 gasoline economic system is estimated to be greater than 30 mpg. Although our transient day-long drive is hardly a real instance of precise gasoline economic system, I can say we had been averaging 31.6 mpg. So, our preliminary check, not less than, reveals this needs to be pretty correct.
However is it actually that clean?
One of many first issues I observed once I obtained behind the wheel was the sleek supply of energy–each as we got here out of a cease mild and once we had been merging on the freeway. This isn’t going to be throw-you-back-in-the-seat quick. It gained’t make 12 months 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 gasoline operation.
I’ve at all times thought the Hyundai hybrids had been fantastic, 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 reimbursement in 2 years?
As you’d anticipate, the pricing for the hybrid is extra. The bottom worth of the common Palisade is $39,435, excluding vacation spot, and also you’ll must pay not less than $44,160 to get right into a hybrid. Nevertheless, it’s price noting the bottom trim for the internal-combustion engine (ICE) car is the SE, and the bottom trim for the Hybrid is the SEL.
As execs identified throughout the Palisade Hybrid preview, the worth premium is definitely a lot much less if you evaluate comparably outfitted fashions. Melvyn Bautista, the product planning supervisor for the Palisade Hybrid, particularly said there’s a $2,220 worth distinction if you evaluate apples to apples when it comes to trim and gear from ICE to Hybrid. Nevertheless, if you take a look at the sticker sheet, gasoline prices for the hybrid are about $2,000 much less. Which means, in concept, it’s best to make your a reimbursement 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
When it comes to seems to be, 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 when it comes to design variations.
However exterior of the powertrain, there are two large belongings you’ll see on the hybrid that aren’t on the gasoline variations. The primary is “Keep Mode,” which is able to mean you can 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 out there chill out 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 remedy, might be thought-about polarizing, we like the general styling of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid–that features each the inside and exterior. We admire the minimalist sprint and middle stack, however we totally admire the buttons and dials for ceaselessly touched gadgets–just like the HVAC and audio controls.
We additionally admire the tech you will get on the Palisade. From the usual wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the out there blind view monitor that reveals your blind spots within the behind-the-wheel gauges, there’s quite a lot of intuitive and straightforward 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 might 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 may actually modify the consolation stage for these passengers. However exterior of that, we favored the general consolation of the seats, and the big rear home windows maintain passengers from feeling claustrophobic.
Wants some work
There have been only some issues we didn’t like. First up, in case you’re going to maintain your cellphone 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 attributable to our cellphone 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 when 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 chill out and recline seats, there’s somewhat additional materials on the entrance of the driving force’s seat. Which means that it pushes your knees somewhat nearer to the underbelly of the sprint. I discovered myself hitting my knees when coming into the car and when shifting between gasoline and brake pedals.
Our take
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is a superb electrified mannequin. It has the correct quantity of energy and loads of effectivity. Getting 30+ mpg in a 3-row car is nothing to sneeze at. Contemplating the facilities you get for the worth 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 many of the options you would probably need on a household car.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is on sale now.
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2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Photos
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2025 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Assessment, Costs, and Specs
