2026 Hyundai Palisade Review: What If the Best Midsize Family SUV Is Also the Ugliest?

• Hyundai’s redesigned 2026 Palisade delivers unbeatable value and refinement despite questionable styling choices.

• The XRT Pro trim blends rugged details, great comfort, and excellent equipment for under $58,000.

• The V6 powertrain holds it back; limited hybrid availability could complete the package.

I’ll admit it right here: I’ve lost the fight. For years, I resisted the idea that Hyundai and Kia could produce vehicles worthy of praise beyond their value proposition. I started my career in an era when they were cheap, basic, and often plagued with reliability woes. I’ve spent most of my career—nearly 27 years—testing every Korean product that’s come to Canada, almost always finding something to critique. And yet, slowly over the last few years and somewhere between the Kia EV9 I leased in early 2025 and this 2026 Hyundai Palisade, I’ve finally surrendered. The battle is over. They’ve won.

That doesn’t mean I suddenly find their designs attractive. The new Palisade is, to put it kindly, not pretty. The front end is a curved slab of plastic so overstyled it makes me nervous about impact repair bills. One gentle nudge in a parking lot and you’re probably looking at a five-figure fix. But here’s the thing: none of it matters. Underneath its awkward exterior lies one of the most complete, comfortable, and capable three-row SUVs in its class.

The Best of its Bunch

The midsize SUV segment is packed with heavy hitters—Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-90, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Dodge Durango, and of course, the Kia Telluride. Yet, none of them do anything dramatically better than the Palisade, except maybe look nicer – such is the case for the Kia. The Hyundai simply nails all the fundamentals, and for families shopping in this category, that’s what counts.

My tester was the XRT Pro, a trim that tries to inject a bit of adventure into the lineup. It’s the least unattractive version of the Palisade, wearing the available matte “Earthy Brass” paint, dark trim, tow hooks, and 18-inch wheels that give it some off-road credibility. At $57,799, it’s impressively equipped with captain’s chairs, cooled front seats, Bose audio, and a limited-slip rear differential. It’s comfortable, practical, and just rugged enough to suggest you occasionally drive on gravel roads. Everyone knows you don’t, but that’s beside the point.

Inside: A Masterclass in Comfort and Functionality

Where Hyundai absolutely nailed it is the cabin. Step inside, and all the exterior weirdness fades away. The twin 12.3-inch displays sit under a beautifully sculpted hood that adds a touch of elegance, clarity, and substance, something I wish more manufacturers would copy. The materials are good to the touch, the controls are intuitive, and the ergonomics are spot-on.

Storage is smartly integrated: a deep lower bin perfect for documents, a shelf for your sunglasses, well-placed charging ports, and wireless charging right where you need it. Even the cup holders make sense. Ambient lighting, a simple HVAC panel, and logical column-mounted shifter complete what feels like a near-premium experience at a non-premium price.

Passenger space is another highlight. The Palisade XRT’s captain’s chairs recline and slide easily, granting surprisingly good access to the third row. Once back there, adults won’t be thrilled, but they won’t complain either; there’s genuine legroom and headroom, something that can’t be said for every rival. Behind that third row, the Palisade offers 540 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,310 litres with the second row folded.

On the Road: Capable but Thirsty

The 2026 Palisade now comes with a 3.5-litre V6, producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s smooth enough but not particularly refined. Compared to Toyota’s or Honda’s six-cylinder engines, it’s slightly coarse and hesitant. Off the line, throttle response is jumpy; the SUV lunges forward before settling into a moment of nothingness. The trick is to keep it in Sport mode or configure “My Mode” to sharpen throttle mapping; otherwise, it’s lazy.

Fuel consumption is where things really go sideways. Hyundai claims around 12.7 L/100 km, but in my real-world driving, I averaged closer to 16 L/100 km. That’s bad. Like “I hope you enjoy spending time at the pump” bad. It’s one of the main reasons I’m eager to try the hybrid version, which pairs a 2.5-litre turbo engine with electric assistance. It delivers better torque and efficiency, making the Palisade nearly unbeatable. Hyundai just must make it available on all Palisade trims.

That said, the 8-speed automatic transmission deserves praise. It’s responsive, unobtrusive, and generally well-calibrated to the driver’s intentions. Steering is nicely weighted, brakes are solid, and body control is decent, though the XRT Pro’s ride is a touch firm. Typically, “off-road” vehicles provide more on-road compliance. I’m thinking larger, heavier wheels with high-performance tires on higher trims will further negatively impact ride quality.

Verdict: I Give Up—Happily

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is ugly. There’s no way around it. But after spending a week with it, I can’t help but love it. It’s exceptionally comfortable, loaded with features, thoughtfully designed, and priced right. It’s the SUV equivalent of someone who doesn’t photograph well but has a fantastic personality.

I used to tell people to stick with the Highlander or Pilot. Not anymore. The Palisade has earned its place among the best, and for most Canadian families, it’s a smart buy. I’ve officially stopped resisting. Hyundai long ago stopped being an underdog—it just took me longer than most to realize it. And if that means admitting defeat, I’m okay with that.