The 2026 Hyundai Palisade has arrived, and it’s turning plenty of heads — for both good and not-so-good reasons. Once praised as one of the best values in the three-row SUV market, the Palisade has evolved into something much more premium. With its bold new design, higher pricing, and brand-new hybrid option, Hyundai’s family flagship is moving upmarket and directly challenging vehicles like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and even its luxury cousin, the Genesis GV80.
In this video, we’re taking a real-world look at the top 5 reasons to avoid the 2026 Hyundai Palisade — or at least wait before buying one. This isn’t a hate piece — far from it. We actually like this SUV, but we’ve been paying close attention to early owner feedback, forum discussions, and test-drive impressions, and several key issues keep coming up. From the controversial exterior styling to the stiffer ride and price creep, we’re breaking it all down so you can make an informed decision.
The new Palisade is completely redesigned from the ground up — boxier, taller, and more commanding on the road. It shares its platform with the Kia Telluride, but Hyundai has pushed its version further toward luxury, with unique sheet metal, a minimalist interior, and an optional Calligraphy Night Edition that easily crosses the $60,000 mark. That’s a serious number for a family SUV that, not long ago, started in the mid-thirties.
Under the hood, the familiar 3.8-liter V6 returns with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, but now it’s joined by a brand-new 2.5-liter turbo-hybrid system producing around 290 horsepower and up to 36 mpg combined. On paper, it sounds like the best of both worlds — but as we’ve seen with most first-year hybrid systems, there can be early software bugs and drivetrain calibration quirks that take time to iron out. Combine that with the Palisade’s added weight and higher price, and you start to see why some owners are second-guessing the upgrade.
We’ll also cover the ride quality trade-offs that come with those gorgeous 21-inch wheels. Sure, they make the Palisade look like a $90K SUV, but they also make it easier to bend a rim or get a tire bubble when you hit a pothole. And while the new suspension tuning feels more stable at highway speeds, it’s lost some of that smooth, cushy ride the first-gen was known for.
Inside, the cabin has been completely reimagined — sleek, digital, and futuristic. Dual 12.3-inch screens stretch across the dash, with touch-sensitive controls and premium materials throughout. But not everyone’s a fan. The chunkier steering wheel can block your view of the start/stop button — and even part of the gauge cluster — and the minimalist controls can be tricky to use without taking your eyes off the road. It looks expensive, but it’s a little less intuitive than before.
Then there’s the pricing reality: the Palisade’s base model now starts just over $41,000, and top trims can hit $60K+, putting it dangerously close to Genesis GV80 territory. Combine that with the fact that it’s still built in South Korea and subject to import tariffs, and Hyundai might want to consider following Toyota’s lead by building the Palisade in North America to stay competitive.
Still, credit where it’s due — Hyundai has come a long way. The Palisade’s design, materials, and technology are genuinely impressive, and if you’re after a comfortable, high-tech family hauler, it’s one of the most feature-rich SUVs you can buy today.
This video dives into what’s changed, what’s improved, and what might make you think twice before trading in your first-gen model. Whether you’re comparing it to the Kia Telluride, Toyota Grand Highlander, or Honda Pilot Elite, you’ll walk away knowing exactly where the 2026 Palisade shines — and where it stumbles.
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Disclaimer: Our content is a mix of verified facts, owner experiences, and fictional elements, created for informational and entertainment purposes only.
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