Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
I spent joyful moments in Austin, TX touring the outskirts of town behind the wheel of an all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy. Fresh off the press from its introduction of the all-gasoline model this summer, Hyundai wasted no time showing off the extended-range hybrid version. Expect up to 35 MPG when planning a family road trip adventure to take in the serenity of McKinney Falls State Park while showcasing your Palisade Hybrid’s updated amenities to fellow travelers.
The three-row Palisade is grander in every aspect than its highly touted predecessor and represents Hyundai’s flagship SUV. It provides large families with more space and comfort, a longer driving range of up to 630 miles for the hybrid, and features premier upgrades to the infotainment system, materials, and finishes, as well as the advanced safety systems.
Specifically speaking, the Palisade is one of the chief reasons why Hyundai is on pace for five years of sales success, highlighting a pivotal moment for the Korean automaker, as next year will mark the 40th Anniversary of the first Hyundai sold in the United States. Notably, Hyundai has invested $20.5 billion in the US since 1986 — including the Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant and the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant in Savannah — and plans to allocate an additional $26 billion through 2028 to enhance its battery and R&D facilities, as well as production and manufacturing capabilities.
Pricing for the 2026 Palisade SE FWD starts at $39,435 (3.5-liter V6 GDI) while the Palisade Hybrid Blue SEL FWD (2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder) kicks off at $44,160. My Creamy White Pearl Hybrid Calligraphy AWD test model in Austin totaled $61,125, which included the $58,780 MSRP, a $1,600 freight and handling fee, a $500 paint upgrade, and $245 for carpeted floor mats. Four trims are available in the hybrid variants with the option of FWD or AWD. Buyers can choose an SEL, Limited, SEL Premium, or Calligraphy, which is the best representation of Palisade. Moreover, Hyundai offers the most effective and comprehensive warranty in the business:
- 5-year/60,000 new vehicle warranty
- 10-year/100,000 powertrain warranty
- 10-year/100,000 hybrid system components warranty
- 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance
My upscale, 6-passenger SUV was silky smooth on the road and felt perfectly powered from the 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid engine and synergetically balanced by way of HTRAC AWD. The hybrid powertrain pairs to a paddle-shifting SHIFTRONIC 6-speed automatic transmission. Collectively, the gas and electric motors of the Palisade Hybrid produce 329-horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, which translates well to the pavement. I also didn’t feel any lag when accelerating. Moreover, the vehicle steers pretty flat without visible signs of body lean. In the rear, the self-leveling suspension enriches ride comfort.
Beginning with a horizontally themed grille, embraced by unique vertical LED headlamps and DRLs, the styling is epic as usual and one of the factors that made the Palisade an original hit. The Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD rolls on exclusive 21” multi-spoke alloy rims and is highlighted by a dual-pane sunroof, roof side rails, LED vertical taillights, and an optional tow hitch (4,000-lb capacity). The latest Palisade is 2.5 inches longer and its wheelbase has been increased by 2.7 inches, resulting in more headroom and legroom inside. A Smart Power Tailgate comes on all variants.
Inside, my refreshing gray and navy interior was spacious and striking, and inspires occupants through various flashes of digital prominence. The quilted Nappa leather seats, for example, match the decorative doors, while cordless phone charging and increased USB-c ports throughout the cabin (including the seat backs) will keep all passengers charged and connected. The second-row Relaxation captain chairs are heated and ventilated, and the third row moves back and forth. Two adults will fit comfortably back there, but not three. From the trunk area, the powered third row can be folded flat by one touch of a button. The Calligraphy is also blessed with a driver’s massaging Ergo Motion seat, full display rearview mirror, 64-color ambient lighting, and dual 12.3″ panoramic curved screens housing the touchscreen navigation and digital instrument cluster that shows imagery of the street scene when a turn signal is engaged.
Hyundai states that the styling and layout of the dashboard, as well as other details, were inspired by the ergonomics of contemporary home furniture. Furthermore, the cabin was pleasantly entertaining. A 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, WiFi hotspot, 12-inch head-up display, and wireless phone charging amplify the technology amenities. A front and rear integrated dashcam system is also at your disposal for safety measures. The new Terrain Modes mechanism is available on all trims and incorporates Mud, Sand, and Snow settings depending on weather and road conditions.
A few protection features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Attention Warning, Remote Smart Park Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse, and Blind Spot View Monitor. Moreover, Safe Exit Assist blocks the rear door from opening if a passenger attempts to exit into the lane of an approaching vehicle. Then you have a few driving assistance systems such as Highway Driving Assist and Smart Cruise Control.
For tech-savvy customers, Hyundai Digital Key 2.0 Premium will transform your smartphone or smartwatch into a digital key fob for vehicle access, including starting, locking, and unlocking. For keeping your Palisade’s software systems current, wireless Over-The-Air (OTA) updates are standard.
The Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD’s driving experience was aspirational. From the technology to performance to comfort, the smart SUV has it all. Well done, Hyundai!
