Hyundai Reveals 2026 Palisade With New Hybrid and XRT Variants

by Chris Teague

Published: April 16th, 2025

hyundai reveals 2026 palisade with new hybrid and xrt variants

The Hyundai Palisade debuted several years ago and quickly became one of the brand’s more popular models. It has remained a hot seller and a decent value over the years, and it’s getting a significant overhaul for the 2026 model year that brings big changes, including a new hybrid powertrain and styling updates.

The 2026 Palisade comes standard with a new 3.5-liter V6, making 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors is available for the first time, making a combined 258 horsepower. Hyundai is targeting a total driving range of up to 619 miles for the hybrid and said it will be able to tow up to 4,000 pounds.

Exterior design changes include new LED daytime running lights, a more upright A-pillar, and improved aerodynamics. The new SUV is longer overall and has an extended wheelbase that adds interior space and improves ride quality.

Inside, the Palisade received a new dash with a more upright shape, additional soft-touch materials, and revised comfort features for better ergonomics. The first two rows feature new Relaxation seats that offer more adjustability and support for longer drives. Eight-passenger seating is standard with a second-row bench seat, while captain’s chairs cut capacity to seven.

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See More Photos of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade

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Finally, Hyundai introduced a new XRT Pro trim for the 2026 Palisade. It features an electronic rear limited-slip differential, an extra inch of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road-oriented driving modes. It also gets exclusive 18-inch wheels and black exterior accents.

Hyundai will release pricing details closer to the vehicle’s launch. It will be built in South Korea and is planned to arrive on dealers’ lots this summer, with hybrid models launching in the fall.

[Images: Hyundai]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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5 of 27 comments

Olivehead on Apr 16, 2025

I just could never spend $50k on a Hyundai, though I've known a few folks who have. Maybe it's because my formative years were in the '80s, when Yugo was competing with Hyundai for the bargain basement market, $3995 vs. $4995. To each his own.

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- Bd2 on Apr 16, 2025
  
  Well Hyundai now has higher ATPs that Toyota while Kia commands 60% of households making over $100K, time to get with the times and come on over to your Hyundai Kia Genesis dealership where the affluent of society are buying their cars instead of a stinky low rent low ATP Toyota dealership.
  
  Like
- Bd2 on Apr 17, 2025
  
  ^ Ignore ANAL's gibberish.
  People are the product of their times. Those who grew up during the '60s and '70s were saying the same thing about Toyota, Datsun and Honda.
  
  3
- Slavuta on Apr 17, 2025
  
  I see some of these have asking price 43-47K in my area... At least these are v6. highlanders are all 4cyl now and cost more on average. Or Pilot, still has V6.
  
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Stellantis Guy on Apr 16, 2025

"The new SUV is longer overall and has an extended wheelbase that adds interior space and improves ride quality."
• Finally people are listening to me.

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