The 2026 Hyundai Palisade has been revealed for the Korean market, marking the next generation of the brand’s largest SUV and giving us a preview of what to expect from the US version.
Outside, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade builds on the design trend set by the new Santa Fe. The front features a dramatic, imposing grille flanked on either side by distinctive headlights featuring blocky accent lighting.
The side profile draws inspiration from both Range Rover and the Cadillac Escalade. It is punctuated by prodigious amounts of metal trim along the top of the windows that connects with the roof rails for an interesting, uniquely cohesive look. The model shown features large 21-inch wheels with a design that is not unlike what you might find on a Genesis. You’ll see that Genesis inspiration is a bit of a theme for most of the new Palisade.
The back of the new 2026 Hyundai Palisade largely echos the front with distinctive taillights featuring a blocky, linear lighting pattern and a squared-off overall look. In all, it’s a more upscale, refined design that should sit well with potential buyers and perhaps lure a few potential Genesis buyers along the way as well.
Inside, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade gets a full design transformation, which, again, leaves it looking like something that could be in a Genesis product right down to its oval air vents. A rounded, flowing dashboard with subtle ambient lighting gives the interior a warm, inviting feel. Drivers will find a pair of 12.3-inch screens mounted behind a single piece of glass, with one functioning as a driver display and the other as the central infotainment touchscreen.
While touchscreens are great, lovers of tactile, physical switchgear will find a lot to like the 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s interior as well. This includes physical buttons and knobs for climate controls, radio functions, and various other features. This bucks the current trend of putting as much functionality as possible into touchscreen interfaces, a practice that has drawn criticism from customers and has even pushed some brands to re-introduce physical switchgear into their interiors.
Interestingly, the Korean version features a folding center console between the two front seats that reveals an additional seat when raised. It’s not clear if this front bench seat function will make its way to the US, but in this configuration, the new Palisade will be able to seat up to nine people. Second and third-row seats come with three seats as standard, with buyers able to opt for two captain’s chairs in the second row should they so desire.
Hyundai didn’t share any details about the 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s powertrain. The current Palisade is only available with a 291-hp 3.8-liter V6. We’d expect this new model to offer something similar to that unit and wouldn’t be surprised if it also gets a hybrid or PHEV option. Those looking for an EV option will be well served by the recently announced Hyundai Ioniq 9.
Though this reveal is only official for the Korean market, it’s expected the US version will be very similar. We should learn more about the 2026 Hyundai Palisade as its anticipated launch in 2025 draws nearer.
