Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade a good car?

Yes — 5/5 from users and 8.83/10 from CarGurus experts. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is presented as a redesigned three-row SUV that aims to give you family-friendly space without the plain look of a minivan. The update is described as a full rethink, and the result is framed as a meaningful improvement over the outgoing version. That makes it a strong fit if you want a comfortable, roomy SUV with a more upscale feel.

Trade-offs: fuel economy trails top rivals, and the XRT trim gives up some luxury touches. Even so, the Palisade’s broad powertrain lineup and comfortable ride help it stand out for everyday family use.

With 35.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

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

The 2026 Palisade is described as a well-rounded family SUV with a strong emphasis on comfort, refinement, and thoughtful packaging. Its standard V6 is portrayed as quiet and smooth, and the ride quality is tuned for everyday livability rather than harshness. Hyundai also backs the model with a five-year/60,000-mile new-car warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which adds confidence for used buyers.

The performance notes also emphasize that the engine and transmission work together smoothly in normal driving, which is the kind of behavior that tends to matter most over time. If you buy used, your main long-term ownership risk is less about the basic drivetrain concept and more about choosing a well-kept example with a clean history and consistent maintenance.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage family hauler. Focus on overall condition, signs of heavy interior use, and whether the equipment level matches the trim you’re paying for. If you’re shopping a used example with advanced driver-assistance features, make sure everything works as intended during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SE has a much smaller 4.2-inch digital display, while other models get a 12.3-inch cluster. The interior is described as refined and relaxing, but the top-spec Calligraphy brings the highest-quality materials, and the XRT Pro trades away some of that upscale finish.
• 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. FWD is standard, AWD is optional on most trims, and the Palisade is tuned for smooth, sufficient everyday performance rather than quick acceleration.
• 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, Calligraphy adds evasive steering assist, and Highway Driving Assist II is reserved for Calligraphy.
• Infotainment: Most models get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with onboard navigation. SEL Premium, XRT Pro, Limited, and Calligraphy models get a Surround View Monitor.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models are rated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. AWD versions drop by 1 mpg across the board, and the previous version posted slightly better highway and combined numbers.

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:

• Base trim: The SE is the most stripped-down version, with the smaller 4.2-inch digital display and fewer upscale touches than the higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SEL Premium is the best value if you want a stronger mix of equipment and convenience, including added safety hardware and the Surround View Monitor.
• Premium/top trim: The Calligraphy is the most luxurious choice, with the best materials, the upgraded Highway Driving Assist II system, evasive steering assist, and available dashcams.
• Off-road trim: The XRT Pro is the one to watch if you want the most rugged setup, but it gives up some luxury features that matter more in daily driving.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, but the higher trims add meaningful extras, so you should compare equipment carefully before choosing.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,394 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 95.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $46,252.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade safe?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade hadn’t received safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at press time.

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

The Palisade comes with 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’s Highway Driving Assist I is standard on all but the top Calligraphy, which gets Highway Driving Assist II with lane-change assistance.

There are a few trim-level gaps to keep in mind: SEL Premium adds side parking sensors, and Calligraphy adds evasive steering assist. In testing, the system’s cyclist detection was not perfect, so you should still treat the driver-assist tech as a backup rather than a substitute for attention.

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:

• 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 95.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Hyundai redesigned the Palisade for 2026, giving you a more upscale, more refined version of the SUV.

Consider the 2025 if:

• The outgoing model still offers strong space and practicality for family buyers.

The bottom line: If you want the most polished version of the Palisade, the 2026 is the better default choice. If your priority is saving money, the 2025 can still make sense when you find a compelling deal, especially since it remains a strong family SUV in its own right.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.