Before Hyundai introduced the Palisade three-row SUV in 2020, the company offered American families two versions of its Santa Fe model. The Santa Fe Sport had two rows of seats, while the Santa Fe offered an extra set of rear seats. For the 2019 model year only, Hyundai called the three-row version the Santa Fe XL, and that was replaced by the Palisade in 2020.
With bold styling, eight-passenger seating, and generous cargo room, the Palisade was a highly competitive midsize three-row crossover, oozing quality, comfort, and thoughtful details. It also had all the latest technology, and in the top-end trim level, looked and felt more like a luxury SUV than a typical family hauler.
It also provided the peace-of-mind of Hyundai’s generous warranty coverage and Hyundai Assurance ownership benefits package. In short, as long as you liked the way the Palisade looked, particularly its bold grille, there weren’t many reasons to pass it up for one of its rivals, such as the Kia Telluride, the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, or the Ford Explorer.
RepairPal hasn’t issued a reliability rating for the Palisade, but CarComplaints.com has logged numerous owner gripes about the 2020 model, with a sharp decline in complaints in 2021 and almost none from 2022 on. A check of other sources suggests you should avoid the 2020 Palisade in favor of a later model year.
Hyundai Palisade Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Hyundai Palisade Generations
- Second generation (2026 - Present)
- First generation (2020 - 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Palisade years are the best?
Based on our research, a first-generation Palisade from 2022 to 2025 is the best bet. These models had few reliability issues, and their powertrains are more tested than the latest second-generation Palisade's. If you’re not a fan of the first-generation SUV’s front styling, a refresh in 2023 cleaned up the nose and eliminated the chubby-cheeked appearance. That year, Hyundai also upgraded the interior and the Palisade’s technology.
If fuel-economy is a concern, a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is the choice. With better than 30 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive trims, it offers a level of performance and efficiency that no other three-row SUV can match.
What are the worst Hyundai Palisade years?
As is frequently the case with all-new and redesigned models, we recommend against buying the earliest models, in this case those built in 2020 or 2021. In addition to numerous customer complaints, the imitation leather that used to cover the head restraints in the high-end models could emit an unpleasant odor that Hyundai traced to a manufacturing process problem. We experienced this ourselves in a test vehicle from that era.
Is a used Hyundai Palisade a good deal?
Considering the average transaction price of a new car in America is nearly $50,000, yes, a used Hyundai Palisade is a good deal. Better yet, there are plenty of them available, especially in metropolitan areas. Choose a certified used example from a Hyundai dealership, and the automaker provides extra peace of mind through warranty and roadside assistance protection.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- Impressive infotainment and safety tech
- Thoughtful interior design details
Cons
- First generation unavailable with a hybrid engine
- Early model years appear less reliable
- Polarizing front styling across generations
Hyundai Palisade Generations
Second generation (2026 - Present)
Hyundai redesigned the Palisade for the 2026 model year, leaving no stone unturned in its quest to improve upon the already successful first-generation model. The second-generation Palisade is 2.5 inches longer overall than its predecessor, with a wheelbase stretched by 2.7 inches, providing additional space for passengers and cargo. The redesign brought a more upright, squared-off profile with distinctive rectangular lighting elements flanking a massive grille, giving the Palisade a bold and unmistakable presence on the road.
Inside, Hyundai adopted a Midcentury Modern design philosophy, with flowing oval shapes and soft lines replacing sharp edges throughout the cabin. The result is a refined and relaxing interior that feels more premium than most competitors in the segment. All Palisade models can seat seven or eight passengers, depending on configuration, with captain's chairs or a bench seat available for the second row.
The 2026 Palisade receives a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While this represents a slight decrease from the first generation's 291 hp and 262 lb-ft, the new engine delivers a refined, smooth driving experience. Front-wheel drive is standard, with Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel-drive system available for $2,000 additional. Front-wheel-drive models achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive versions see a one-mpg reduction across the board, rated at 18/24/20 mpg. Towing capacity stands at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Cargo capacity measures 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row with seats slid forward (or 19.1 cubic feet without sliding the seats), expanding to 46.3 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and reaching a maximum of 86.7 cubic feet behind the front seats. While these figures trail segment leaders like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander, the Palisade compensates with superior material quality and thoughtful interior detailing.
The base Palisade SE includes 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety features are comprehensive, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (including pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane keep assist, lane following assist, and front and rear parking sensors.
The SEL trim adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leatherette upholstery, an eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and captain's chairs in the second row. The SEL Convenience builds on this with a panoramic sunroof, eight-way power passenger seat, and a hands-free power liftgate.
Moving to the SEL Premium brings heated and ventilated second-row seats, a surround-view camera system with blind-spot view monitor, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, and upgraded interior materials. The Limited adds a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, heated third-row seats, a 115V power outlet, and 20-inch wheels.
New for 2026, the Palisade XRT Pro serves as an off-road-focused variant, available exclusively with all-wheel drive. It features 8.4 inches of ground clearance (an inch more than other models), all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, front and rear recovery hooks, improved approach and departure angles, and specialized displays including pitch-and-roll readouts and a Ground View Monitoring front camera. However, the XRT Pro loses some luxury features found on other premium trims, trading them for rugged capability.
At the top of the range, the Palisade Calligraphy delivers luxury-grade features including Nappa leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, power-adjustable third-row seats, a camera-based rearview mirror, integrated front and rear dashcams (which record to internal memory cards), evasive steering assist, and Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist II with lane-change assistance. The Calligraphy's interior approaches near-luxury territory, standing apart from competitors with its attention to detail and premium materials.
Pricing for the 2026 Palisade starts at $38,935 for the SE with front-wheel drive, before a $1,495 destination charge. The SEL starts at $41,440, SEL Convenience at $42,870, SEL Premium at $44,800, Limited at $49,270, XRT Pro at $49,370 (AWD only), and the range-topping Calligraphy at $54,060. All prices are before destination charges, and adding all-wheel drive increases the price by $2,000 across the lineup.
For the first time, Hyundai introduced a hybrid powertrain option for the Palisade. The 2026 Palisade Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (258 hp, 260 lb-ft) with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, delivering a combined system output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This makes the hybrid more powerful than the standard V6 model while achieving significantly better fuel efficiency.
The Palisade Hybrid's fuel economy varies by trim level and drivetrain. Front-wheel-drive SEL and SEL Premium models achieve 33 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. The heavier Limited and Calligraphy trims with front-wheel drive return 31 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Opting for all-wheel drive drops efficiency to 29 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined across all trim levels. Hyundai estimates the hybrid can travel over 600 miles on a single tank of fuel.
The Palisade Hybrid is available in SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, but not in the off-road XRT Pro configuration. Pricing starts at $45,760 for the SEL with front-wheel drive, though this base trim was not yet available at the time of this writing, with the SEL Premium serving as the entry point at $49,120. The Limited starts at $53,590 and the Calligraphy at $58,380, all before destination charges. As with the standard Palisade, all-wheel drive adds $2,000 to any trim level.
Unique to the hybrid is "Stay Mode," which allows drivers to run the climate control and infotainment system with the gasoline engine off, provided the vehicle is in Park and the hybrid battery has more than 35% charge. The system can even be programmed to ensure the battery reaches 80% before arriving at a destination.
First generation (2020 - 2025)
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was the automaker’s first truly competitive entry in the family-size, three-row SUV segment. It matched its rivals’ power, size, and functionality and offered the latest convenience, infotainment, and driving assistance technologies. Hyundai Palisade trim levels comprised SE, SEL, and Limited, each equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, with specs of 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with Hyundai’s Htrac all-wheel drive (AWD) system an available option.
The Palisade SE trim level included 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, a second-row bench seat, and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This version of the SUV also had numerous safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam/auto-dimming headlights, and an advanced rear occupant alert, which helps to detect the movements of back-seat passengers.
Upgrading to the Palisade SEL brought standard features such as an active blind-spot collision warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, enhanced exterior and interior lighting, heated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, and remote engine starting. Options for the SEL included 20-inch wheels, leather, second-row captain’s chairs, and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.
In 2020, the Hyundai Palisade Limited was the top trim level. A set of 20-inch wheels set it apart, and the Limited came with a dual-panel sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, improved comfort features, and premium Nappa leather seats.
The Limited trim also added top-shelf technology, including a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a head-up display, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and camera-based features, including a surround-view monitor. Highway Driving Assist was also standard on the Palisade Limited, pairing the adaptive cruise control system with lane-centering assist to offer semi-autonomous driver assistance capability on the highway.
In 2021, the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy trim level debuted. This upscale version of the SUV incorporated many of the 2020 Limited model’s standard features, while increasing the sense of luxury with quilted door panel inserts, a microfiber suede headliner, and more. That year, Hyundai also added a complimentary maintenance program covering three years or 36,000 miles of scheduled services.
Hyundai made few changes to the 2022 Palisade; the Palisade SE received more standard safety features and that was about it. However, the 2023 Palisade received a comprehensive refresh, including new front styling, a revised dashboard with new displays, new comfort features such as a massaging driver’s seat and heated third-row seat cushions, and comprehensive technology updates.
For example, the 2023 Palisade was the first Hyundai to offer access to an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. Hyundai also expanded the Bluelink connected services, offered a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and swapped the USB-A ports for USB-C. Additional highlights included a camera-based digital rearview mirror, digital key compatibility with iPhone and Android smartphones, and remote autonomous parking capability.
During the 2023 model year, Hyundai introduced a new Palisade XRT trim level, giving the SUV a more rugged appearance without extra off-roading capability. The next year, the 2024 Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition joined it, offering a blacked-out appearance combined with that trim level’s luxury features. That same year, the SEL trim level added three-zone automatic climate control.
In 2025, the Palisade SEL Premium trim level arrived, replacing the old Premium option package for the SEL model and adding extras such as a heated steering wheel, a surround-view monitor, and a blind-spot monitor. Hyundai also enhanced the standard equipment list for the Palisade XRT.
Regarding reliability, the 2020 and 2021 Palisade models receive the most owner complaints. They range from the odd smell of the imitation leather head restraints to a few reports of automatic transmission troubles, so keep your eyes and nose open for both on a test drive. The 2022 models are better in this regard, but we think choosing a 2023 or newer Palisade is wisest in light of that' year’s upgrades.
As of May 2025, the MSRPs for new vehicles started at $37,200 for the entry-level SE trim and pricing topped out at $54,500 for Calligraphy Night versions.
It’s easy to find low-mileage examples of the Hyundai Palisade from any model year. When searching for versions with less than 30,000 miles on the odometer, you’ll find they range from as low as $26,500 for an older model year in a base trim level to more than $50,000 for a loaded, low-mileage, nearly new Calligraphy Night Edition. No matter which one you select, get a vehicle history report before you sign on the dotted line.
