The first-generation Palisade arrived in 2020 as the ultimate Hyundai SUV, along with its Kia Telluride counterpart. Hyundai recently unveiled the second-generation model in its home turf of South Korea. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is expected to be based on an all-new platform along with a new powertrain as well.
The all-new Palisade will play host to a wide variety of updates, both inside as well as on the outside. It’s a fresh and more premium take on the brand’s flagship SUV. While there’s plenty of time before it arrives in the UAE, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade already has the internet talking. So, what’s all the buzz about?
Exterior
The most obvious change between the outgoing Palisade and its successor is easily spotted just glancing at the latter. For starters, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a lot squarer in shape and thus looks bigger and more intimidating. There appears to be some design resemblance between this Palisade and the new Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV.
The flat and chiseled body of the new Palisade has a noticeably larger footprint than before. It now measures over 5 meters in length, 1.8 meters in height, and has a wheelbase of 2.97 meters. Hyundai offers alloy wheels that are up to 21 inches, further strengthening the confident stance of this SUV. The upright front and slightly angular rear look good.
Similarly, the raked windscreen and sloped roofline contribute to the stylish aura of the 2026 Palisade. Its other captivating details include the satin roof rails that merge into the D-pillars, swanky LED lights, and rectangular fenders. In fact, the LED headlights, DRLs, taillights, and front grille are rectangle-shaped. The flat yet bold lines go well with the stocky but elegant build of the 2026 Palisade.
Interior
The sophisticated and upmarket cabin of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade looks really appealing. The two-tone interior in the range-topping Calligraphy variant is finished in a warm and cozy caramel leather upholstery. There’s piano black and metallic trim as well, while the plastic quality is by & large good.
The dashboard is quite high but elegantly swoops down at the front passenger’s side. The corner AC vents are elliptical and the door handles are circular, both look stylish. The plush two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel is large but looks nice, while most of the touchpoints feel premium.
Unlike so many modern cars, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade thankfully features physical buttons for the infotainment screen. Even the HVAC panel has its own dedicated buttons – albeit touch-sensitive ones. The large and wide center pedestal boasts cupholders, a wireless charger, USB outlets, and a center cubby. While it looks a touch unorthodox, the shift-by-wire gear selector isn’t difficult to use.
The plush seats are well-sized and should offer more than enough comfort, especially in the 7-seater version. The Korean market also gets a 9-seater Palisade – the massive center armrest doubling as a seat when lifted out of its ‘center armrest’ position. There should be plenty of storage pockets for all three rows, along with a sizeable boot (especially with the last row tucked).
Occupants in the rear seats are likely to be comforted by dedicated AC vents, cupholders, USB charging ports, and perhaps even window shades. The split-folding rear seats will make carrying larger items easy, while a panoramic sunroof would make the cabin feel nice and airy.
Features
Hyundai is known to offer its new cars with tons of goodies. This is true for the all-new flagship Palisade as well. There’s a hands-free tailgate, automatic LED headlights, surround-view cameras, multi-zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, powered & climate-controlled front seats with memory, and a high-end Bose premium sound system.
The Korea-spec 2026 Palisade has a high-definition digital driver’s display and a high-definition touchscreen infotainment system. The latter not only looks slick but likely supports wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. The all-new Hyundai Palisade’s safety tech should be extensive, too. One can expect Level 2 ADAS with adaptive cruise control, collision-detection with emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, etc.
Equipment like multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, ISOFIX anchors, and parking sensors will be standard. Depending on the market, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade could feature a head-up display as well.
Powertrain and performance
In the Korean market, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is powered by a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. This turbocharged unit develops around 277 hp and 422 Nm of maximum torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that can be controlled using the steering-mounted paddle shifters. While primarily a front-wheel-drive platform, an all-wheel-drive version will be available in some markets.
Expected launch
The all-new Hyundai Palisade could be launched in the UAE in the first half of 2026. The entry-level FWD variant of the 2026 Palisade is likely to start from around AED 140,000-150,000. In the meantime, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe here and a comprehensive review of the Hyundai Creta here.
