DecodedCars2026 Hyundai Palisade
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 34 combined · 33 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (33 city / 35 highway), 57% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the seats.
What changed for 2026
- New hybrid version
- Engines added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.8L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 34
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Palisade →
Trims, performance & features
Engine–3.5L 6-cyl
Engine–2.5L turbo 4-cyl hybrid
DriveAWD/4WD
Trims
CalligraphyXRT Pro
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Rear automatic brakingStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
Built in: Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Palisade configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade Hybrid FWD Blue Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 35 / 34 | +57% | $1,950 | 258 |
| Palisade Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 32 / 31 | +43% | $2,150 | 283 |
| Palisade Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 / 30 / 29 | +45% | $2,300 | 300 |
| Palisade FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | -3% | $3,200 | 418 |
| Palisade AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | 0% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Palisade XRT Pro | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | -5% | $3,550 | 479 |
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.7 MPG2026 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade (this car) | 34 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Chevrolet Suburban | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (3)
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly · Mar 19, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V169000 · 46,787 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with "Limited" and "Calligraphy" trim packages. The internal wiring within the third-row driver-side seat belt buckle may become damaged and result in a permanent display of a belted third-row driver-side seat on the instrument panel.
- Risk
- A faulty seat belt status indicator may fail to alert occupants to an unfastened seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will install a wiring harness extension and replace the seat belt assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 8, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 297. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov March 21, 2026.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly › Power Adjust · Mar 17, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V160000 · 61,307 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Palisade and 2026 Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Limited or Calligraphy trim package. The second and third row power seats may fail to detect a person. The seat may continue to move after contacting a person during powered seat functions, such as one-touch tilt-and-slide or automatic power fold-and-stow.
- Risk
- A person, especially a child, may become trapped by a rear powered seat, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to exercise caution when operating the second and third row power seat functions until the repair is performed. Children are advised to not be in the rear seats or near the rear seating area during power-folding operation. The seat controller and the audio, visual, navigation software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 14, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 296. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Jan 26, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.
Not every 2026 Hyundai Palisade is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
135Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
3,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Palisade years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Palisade | 34 | – | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 Palisade | 22 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 254 |
| 2024 Palisade | 22 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 397 |
| 2023 Palisade | 22 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 408 |
| 2022 Palisade | 22 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 316 |
| 2021 Palisade | 22 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 447 |
| 2020 Palisade | 22 | 196.1 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 541 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →