Trims and Powertrains

The Hyundai Palisade range covers six trims: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, XRT Pro, Limited, and Calligraphy. At the heart is a 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, which joins an eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) to form the powertrain. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) an option (AWD comes standard with the XRT Pro). With trailer brakes, the towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

Cargo capacity starts at 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, but can increase to 46.3 cubic feet when the third row is folded down. Behind the first row, the Palisade can hold up to 86.7 cubic feet. The EPA-determined fuel economy ratings for a Palisade with FWD are 19 mpg in urban driving and 25 mpg on the open road. AWD changes the EPA’s estimates to 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Standard Features

The SE is the only Palisade trim configured for eight passengers, with a sliding split second-row bench seat with cargo-area release switches (all of the other trims have second-row captain’s chairs and seat seven). This base trim comes with fabric upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button ignition, heated power side-view mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a 4.2-inch driver information display, rear privacy glass, sound-reducing windshield and front door glass, six USB ports, underfloor cargo storage, LED exterior lighting, automatic headlamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Next in line, the SEL introduces the aforementioned middle-row captain’s chairs (and seven-passenger capacity) plus a power sunroof, H-Tex leatherette upholstery, heated eight-way power front seats, a hands-free liftgate, heated power side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, roof rails, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless device charging, and Hyundai Digital Key. The SEL Premium earns its name with heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, driver’s-side memory, and ambient interior lighting.

With the XRT Pro, equipment largely mirrors that of the SEL but with an electronic limited-slip differential as well as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a tow hitch, and a 115-volt outlet. It also gets exclusive exterior details, trim-specific interior accents, and expanded instrumentation (oil and transmission temperature gauges and pitch/roll/off-road display).

The Limited expands on the SEL Premium’s amenities with leather upholstery, a dual-pane power sunroof, heated third-row seats, rear side sound-reducing glass is included, along with a 115-volt outlet, a tow hitch, and 20-inch wheels. The second row seats add a power-slide feature, while the third row adds power folding ability along with reclining and sliding. At the top of the range, the Calligraphy gets the bragging rights with Nappa leather upholstery, massaging front seats with leg cushion extension, power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs with massage, a digital rearview mirror, integrated front and rear dashcams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and trim-specific 21-inch wheels.

Advanced Driver Aids and Safety Technology

As a foundation for safety, all trims get a set of airbags, stability and traction control, hill start assist, downhill brake control (AWD only), and a rearview monitor with parking guidance. The SmartSense collection of driver-assist technologies is also universal on the ’26 Palisade. It consists of forward attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist (with vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist detection plus junction-turning/direct-oncoming assist), lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and highway driving assist. Driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, and safe exit assist are other standard features. Front and rear parking sensors are standard across the lineup, while the SEL Premium and above add side sensors as well as a blind-spot view monitor, surround-view monitor, and reverse automatic braking. The Calligraphy edition goes even further with blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and an upgraded forward collision-avoidance system with evasive steering assist.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation is the hub of the Palisade’s infotainment setup. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Every trim is set up for Wi-Fi hotspot capability, over-the-air software updates, and a complimentary subscription to the Bluelink Connected Car System. An intercom function and rear-seat quiet mode are also built in. Audio is delivered through a multi-speaker system on the lower trims, but the XRT Pro, Limited, and Calligraphy upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose Centerpoint sound system.