2026 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

Redesigned for 2026, the new Hyundai Palisade brings more than just fresh looks. For the first time, Hyundai is now offering a hybrid powertrain with its big three-row, family SUV. Capable of traveling over 600 miles on a single tank of fuel, the Palisade Hybrid solves one of the only downsides of the market’s best three-row SUV: fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid delivers more than just great MPG, though. It’s more powerful than the gas model, and in higher trim levels, the Palisade Hybrid feels more luxurious than its competition.

Verdict: Simply put, Hyundai currently sells the best mass-market three-row crossover SUV in the United States. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade looks good, drives well, and feels special–and it will keep you away from the gas station, too.

As the rest of the lineup has trended toward luxury, the Land Rover Defender has stayed true to the brand’s roots of tough off-roaders ideal for the military and farmers alike. That’s mainly because Land Rover put off updates for decades, but a redesigned Defender that’s more passenger car than farm implement arrived for 2020, bringing the nameplate back to the U.S. Changes for 2026 include subtle styling changes, a larger touchscreen, and new color and accessory options.

Verdict: The Defender offers an unmatched combination of off-road capability and everyday civility.