Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade a good car?

Yes — the 5/5 user rating and 8.83/10 expert rating point to a strong overall package. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

Hyundai describes this as a full rethink of the Palisade, and the result is a redesigned three-row SUV that aims to deliver family-friendly utility with a more upscale look. The expert review says it improves on the outgoing version in every meaningful way, with a comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and multiple powertrain options that broaden its appeal.

The main trade-offs are that fuel economy lags behind top rivals and the XRT trim gives up some luxury features. Even so, it fits well if you want a roomy, comfortable three-row SUV with a premium feel rather than a minivan alternative.

Good and great deals account for 30.1% of listings, which gives you a workable but selective shopping window.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Palisade is presented as a well-rounded family SUV with a refined driving experience, and the expert review emphasizes its quiet ride, strong isolation from bumps, and smooth, authoritative shifting. Hyundai also backs the model with a generous warranty package, including five years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain.

The performance notes also describe the standard V6 as quiet and refined, which supports the sense that the Palisade is built for easy daily use rather than constant strain. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the vehicle’s condition matches its mileage and that any higher-use family-hauler wear has been checked carefully.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-trim or heavily optioned example. Focus on signs of interior wear, tire and brake condition, and whether the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim level you’re paying for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE has a much smaller 4.2-inch display, while all other models get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims also add features such as a head-up display, surround-view camera system, and, on Calligraphy, integrated front and rear dashcams.
• Powertrain: The standard setup is a 3.5-liter V6 with 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The XRT Pro adds off-road-focused hardware, and a hybrid powertrain is planned with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane following assist, driver attention monitoring, forward attention warning, safe exit assist, and front and rear parking sensors. SEL Premium adds side parking sensors, while Calligraphy adds evasive steering assist.
• Infotainment: A 12.3-inch center touchscreen is standard, along with onboard navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Calligraphy also offers a 12-inch head-up display, and several trims add a surround-view monitor.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models are rated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while AWD versions drop by 1 mpg. The upcoming hybrid is targeted at 34 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Hyundai Palisade trim should I buy?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is offered in 6 trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, XRT Pro, Limited, Calligraphy.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, but it’s the most stripped-down version, with the smaller 4.2-inch instrument display instead of the larger digital cluster found on the rest of the lineup. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable giving up some of the nicer tech.
• SEL: This is the value-oriented step up if you want the core Palisade experience without jumping too far in price. It keeps the standard safety and infotainment features while moving you closer to the better-equipped trims.
• SEL Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment such as the larger digital cluster and side parking sensors. It’s the sweet spot if you want a more complete family SUV without paying luxury-trim money.
• XRT Pro: This is the choice if you want the off-road-oriented version. It adds all-terrain tires, more ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, a rear limited-slip differential, recovery hooks, and off-road display features, but it gives up some luxury touches.
• Limited: This is the upscale comfort pick, and it also gets the factory-installed tow hitch that helps unlock the Palisade’s 5,000-pound towing capacity. It’s a strong fit if you want more premium equipment and practical capability.
• Calligraphy: This is the top luxury trim, with the most advanced tech and safety content, including the upgraded Highway Driving Assist II system, evasive steering assist, and integrated dashcams. Choose it if you want the most fully loaded Palisade.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, but some features are reserved for higher trims, so it’s worth comparing equipment carefully before you buy.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop, but the best examples still deserve quick action.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,453 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $46,076.24, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The 2026 Palisade had not yet received NHTSA or IIHS ratings at press time, so there’s no crash-test lead to cite for this model year. What you do get is a comprehensive standard driver-assistance suite that includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane following assist, driver attention monitoring, forward attention warning, safe exit assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

Hyundai also builds in some trim-specific upgrades: SEL Premium adds side parking sensors, Calligraphy adds evasive steering assist, and Calligraphy gets Highway Driving Assist II with lane-change assistance instead of the base Highway Driving Assist I found on the rest of the lineup. The main caveat is that some advanced features are reserved for higher trims, so you should verify exactly what’s included on the used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2026 Hyundai Palisade or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Hyundai’s redesign brings a more upscale cabin, more space, and a broader mix of powertrain and tech options.

Consider the 2025 if:

• The outgoing model still offers strong space and practicality, and it can be a smart buy if the deal is especially good.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2026 if you want the more thoroughly updated Palisade with stronger styling, better tech, and a more polished overall package. If your priority is saving money, the 2025 remains worth a look when pricing is especially attractive, since it still delivers the core three-row utility that makes the Palisade appealing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.