Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in four trim levels: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim level maintained a stylish and commanding presence, with the base SEL trim featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile was enhanced by body-color, heated side mirrors, with higher trims adding power-folding and auto-dimming features. The rear of the Palisade was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and stacks of LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a well-crafted interior design that exuded a sense of luxury and thoughtful engineering.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. It featured a tall and narrow design, prioritizing utility and interior space. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, but offered practical storage solutions. The RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area lacked padding for the door armrests.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of sluggish hybrids with its impressive performance. It featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, along with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, ensured the Palisade Hybrid was responsive and efficient. The hybrid system eliminated the old platform's starter motor and auxiliary belts, relying on a more capable electric motor. The Palisade Hybrid offered a quiet and smooth ride, with noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass keeping the cabin peaceful. The steering was sharp, though the pedal feel was somewhat soft.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt introduced a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. It featured a motor from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivering 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration was quick, with a 0-60 mph time in the low seven-second range. One-pedal driving was available, and the ride was firm but not overly stiff. The Bolt's tall, narrow stance contributed to its agility on curvy roads, while the absence of an internal combustion engine made road noise more noticeable. The Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles on a full charge, with faster charging capabilities.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others. Second-row legroom was slightly compromised due to the battery's position, but the third row provided adequate space. The Palisade Hybrid featured a comfortable cabin with three-zone climate control, six USB-C power outlets, and seating for seven or eight, depending on the trim. It also offered numerous storage solutions, including a center console with a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf ahead of the front-passenger seat.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided a more upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and the release latches were easily accessible. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It featured a Passenger Talk intercom system and a 15-watt wireless charging pad. The Limited and Calligraphy trims added a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. It required Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system helped find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. It also offered vehicle-to-load charging for backup power.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on the SEL Premium and up, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. At the time of writing, crash test results were not available from the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.