2026 Hyundai Palisade: 10 Ways It Delivers Premium Family Road Trip Comfort From the Valley to Cape Breton
June 24 2026,
The all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a three-row SUV built around the way families actually travel. Long drives, full seats, loaded cargo areas, and the occasional trailer are all part of the plan.
It also arrives with two of the industry’s top honours already on the shelf. The 2026 Palisade was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the NACTOY jury and Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2026 by AJAC. Here are ten reasons it stands out for family road trips.
1. Two Powertrains to Match Your Drive
The 2026 Palisade offers a choice of powertrains. The 3.5 L V6 produces 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5 L turbocharged hybrid produces a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, adding electric assist for stronger low-end response.
|
Powertrain |
Horsepower |
Torque |
|
3.5 L V6 |
287 hp |
260 lb-ft |
|
2.5 L turbo hybrid |
329 hp (combined) |
339 lb-ft (combined) |
2. Seating for Up to Eight
The Palisade seats up to eight people in a 2-3-3 layout. Families who prefer more room in the middle can choose second-row captain’s chairs for a seven-passenger, 2-2-3 setup that also makes reaching the third row easier. Captain’s chairs come standard on the XRT Pro and Ultimate Calligraphy trims and are available on the Luxury trim.
3. Cargo Room for Every Bag
Behind the third row, the Palisade holds 540 litres of cargo, enough for a full grocery run or a stack of hockey bags. Fold the third row for 1,310 litres, and fold both rear rows for 2,455 litres of total cargo space. That range lets the same vehicle carry a full crew one day and a load of gear the next.
4. Hybrid Efficiency for the Longer Legs
The hybrid Palisade is rated at 8.3 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 L/100 km on the highway, and 8.1 L/100 km combined. For a three-row SUV this size, that efficiency helps keep multi-day trips affordable.
5. Confident Towing for the Trailer or Boat
When the trip calls for extra gear, the V6 Palisade is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). The hybrid is rated at 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg). Either figure covers a small camper, a boat, or a utility trailer for a family move. A factory-integrated tow hitch, tucked behind the rear fascia, is standard on the XRT Pro, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims.
6. HTRAC All-Wheel Drive With Tow Mode
Every Palisade uses Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system with a dedicated Tow Mode. Tow Mode holds lower gears longer and reduces shift frequency while towing, which keeps the powertrain steadier under load. Terrain modes add traction settings for varied surfaces.
7. Extra Ground Clearance on the XRT Pro
The XRT Pro trim raises minimum ground clearance to 212 mm (8.3 in), up from 187 mm (7.4 in) on the standard setup. That added height, paired with steeper approach and departure angles, gives the XRT Pro more room to handle gravel roads and rough campsite driveways.
8. Recognized by Two Major Award Juries
The 2026 Palisade earned the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year title from the NACTOY jury, a group of 50 professional automotive journalists. It also won the AJAC Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award for 2026. Both honours point to strength across design, value, and everyday usefulness.
9. Ten Airbags and Driver Assistance
Safety coverage starts with a 10-airbag system that includes a driver knee airbag, front and second-row side airbags, a front centre side airbag, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors. This protection extends across all three rows.
10. Comfort in All Three Rows
Family comfort reaches past the front seats. Heated front and second-row seats are standard across the lineup, and the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims add heated third-row seats. Higher trims layer in ventilated seats, a dual-pane sunroof, and warmth for the whole cabin.
- Rapid 15W wireless charging pad on every trim
- Seven USB-C ports, six with 100W fast charging
- Heated steering wheel standard across the lineup
Learn More at Central Nova Hyundai
From its award-winning design to its 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) towing rating and eight-passenger cabin, the 2026 Palisade is ready for the kind of trips families actually take. Stop by Central Nova Hyundai in New Glasgow to see the seating layouts in person and compare the V6 and hybrid setups side by side.
