Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai's flagship SUV in brief

The Palisade grew out of the HDC-2 Grandmaster concept shown in June 2018. It was Hyundai's answer to large American family SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. It shares much of its engineering with the Kia Telluride, which is built in the US, and sits above the Hyundai Santa Fe in the range. Besides Ulsan, the first generation was assembled from kits in Vietnam. Put it next to a rival in the 1cars comparison tool.

The company story is told in the history of Hyundai.

V6, diesel and turbo hybrid engines

Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional in most markets. The hybrid is the most powerful Palisade so far: it has 29 kW more than the 3.8 V6 of the first generation and 107 Nm more torque than the second generation's V6. In the US, the 2026 V6 is rated to tow 5,000 lb (about 2,270 kg) and the hybrid 4,000 lb (about 1,815 kg).

Up to nine seats and 2,464 litres

The first generation has eight seats with a second-row bench or seven with two captain's chairs. The second generation has a longer wheelbase, a shorter front overhang and a longer rear overhang, and adds a nine-seat version in which the front centre console works as a middle seat. In Korea about 40% of the roughly 45,000 early pre-orders were for the nine-seater, and about 70% for the hybrid. See where it stands in the biggest boot SUVs ranking.

What the Palisade costs to run

Fuel use depends on the engine. The 3.8 V6 of the first generation is a thirsty engine in town. That is why Hyundai offered a diesel in Korea and Australia and moved to a turbo hybrid for the second generation. Use the fuel cost calculator to estimate what each engine would cost over a year at your local prices.

From SE to Calligraphy and XRT Pro

Trim names vary by market. In the US they run from SE and SEL to Limited and Calligraphy, and the 2026 model adds an XRT Pro off-road version with 8.4 inches (213 mm) of ground clearance. Typical equipment includes three-zone climate control, large touchscreens, a head-up display on upper trims, ventilated front and second-row seats, a 360-degree camera and a digital rear-view mirror. The 2022 facelift, shown in New York on 13 April 2022, brought a larger grille, new lights and an updated cabin.

IIHS, ANCAP and the 2026 seat recall

The IIHS named the Palisade a Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ for the 2021 to 2023 model years. ANCAP tested the Australian diesel in 2022: 79% for adult occupants, 88% for children, 63% for vulnerable road users and 63% for safety assist. Later Australian versions reached 84% for adults and 83% for safety assist. Euro NCAP has not tested the Palisade, because it is not sold in the EU.

In March 2026 sales of the second-generation Limited and Calligraphy trims were halted in the US, Canada, Korea and Australia. A child had died when the power-operated rear seats failed to detect an occupant. Owners and buyers should make sure the recall work has been done.

Used Palisade checks

1. Recalls: check that all recall campaigns, including the 2026 seat recall on LX3 cars, have been completed.
2. V6 engines: look for regular oil changes; the 3.8 GDi needs good-quality oil.
3. Diesel: on the 2.2 CRDi, check the particulate filter and the service record, especially on town-driven cars.
4. Electronics: test the screens, cameras and power seats on all three rows.
5. AWD: listen for noise from the rear differential on all-wheel-drive cars.

Palisade against Telluride, Highlander and Pilot

The Palisade offers the most seats and, in hybrid form, the most power of this group.