2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid improves on a winning formula with more power and better fuel economy – Jalopnik

In hybrid guise, the 2026 Palisade still looks cool, with strong vertical lines and hard angles. In my original review of the car I said it was like asking a kid from the mafia to design a family crossover, and that still holds true, but after spending even more time with it I’ve noticed even more design features that remind me of Range Rovers. That’s really not something I have a problem with, as the Range is one of the nicest SUVs on sale today.

Because the buyer gets more with the Palisade Hybrid, he will also pay more. It amounts to a $2,250 price difference between the equivalent gas model. That’s not nothing, of course, but when you consider the EPA’s estimated fuel costs for the two models, it should pay for itself in three years. Even if it wasn’t, I think the hybrid is still the one to buy.

The Hybrid lineup chops off the bottom few rungs of the Palisade trim levels, so it starts with the SEL model, and unfortunately there’s no XRT Pro upholstery for the hybrid. The jury is still out on whether anyone will come or not. We’ll see. From the jump, the car comes with a power liftgate, H-tex seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats, and roof rails. Prices start at $45,760, including destination. From there, step up to the SEL Premium for blind-spot monitoring, heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows, ambient lighting, a power moonroof, and a bunch of other goodies. For me, this is the Palisade Hybrid that offers the most bang for your buck. It starts at $49,120, and both versions of the SEL are available with seven or eight seats.

Next is the Limited. It gets 20-inch wheels, gloss black exterior treatments, more acoustic glass, leather seats, a heated third row and a 14-speaker Bose audio system. The Limited starts at $53,590 and is only available with seven seats. Finally we have the calligraphy for big dogs. It’s the most realized version of the Palisade Hybrid, and here you get Nappa leather, the Eargo motion seat, a rearview camera, a 12-inch head-up display and Highway Drive Assist, among a host of other features. This big boy starts at $58,380 and has only seven seats.

Andy Kalmowitz/Jalopnik

If you add all-wheel drive – a $2,000 option on any trim level – and my tester’s sole option ($245 carpeted floor mats), you get a total price of $60,625. Sure, that’s not cheap, but when you consider that the average new car costs around $50,000 these days, that doesn’t seem that bad at all. The Palisade really is as nice as some much more expensive luxury SUVs.

It’s hard to think of many, if any, cars in the Palisade class that beat it in looks, comfort, luxury or efficiency. While it’s a bit pricey and the styling may not be for everyone, the Hybrid makes the already excellent Palisade even better. If you’re in the market for this type of car, I really don’t think you can go wrong with the 2026 Palisade Hybrid. Just make sure you tell your kids not to spill their damn juice box on your fine Nappa leather.