Hyundai Palisade Elite 2026 Review

Until the launch of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite, if you wanted the Korean marque’s biggest SUV, the only option was the $89,900 Calligraphy in either seven- or eight-seat guise (the former costing $90,900 before ORCs). It’s an offering we’ve spent plenty of time experiencing in beautiful Tasmania.

However, if you don’t need all the gear it comes with, the Elite intends to offer most of the good stuff, like the locally tuned steering and suspension, but without extravagances. If you can do without Nappa leather, 21-inch wheels and a big panoramic sunroof (among other features), then you’ll find the $76,500 (+ORCs) sticker far more palatable.

Considering the Calligraphy’s price point increased by about $10k between generations, the Elite essentially fills the gap left by the outgoing model. A rough-and-tumble XRT Pro version is also due soon to headline the range.

If the Palisade still doesn’t take your fancy, then the boldly styled Santa Fe is a slightly smaller in-house rival. Other than that, the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado offer increased off-road ability, while the Mazda CX-90 rivals the Hyundai for premium appeal.

The second generation launched late 2025, ushering in a bold new design language inside and out.

Despite being less expensive, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite delivers the same flashy styling with a bold grille and unique 20-inch alloys as well as distinctive LED headlights and taillights. It also gains silver accents on the lower bumpers, side skirts and roof racks. The remote central locking with push-button start, power folding mirrors and shark-fin antenna carry over, too.

While Nappa leather is out, the cabin remains leather appointed – including the steering wheel. The front pews are heated and powered (10-way driver with lumbar adjust, eight-way passenger), while there’s also tri-zone climate control, an electrochomic rear-vision mirror and fingerprint authentication.

There are six colours to choose from, with all but Creamy White mica attracting a $750 premium.

Hyundai’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies if you service with an approved dealer, while roadside assistance also renews yearly under the same conditions. Garage visits are recommended every 12 months or 10,000km, which is on the shorter side.

A five-year/50,000km prepaid service plan can be purchased for $2600.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite gains the five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded to the Calligraphy last year. It covers both the seven- and eight-seat variants and the large SUV scored highly for child (86 per cent) and adult (89 per cent) occupant protection.

It achieves this via the full suite of SmartSense driver aids, including the likes of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keeping, front/rear cross-traffic alert and eight airbags.

Despite the entry-level status, the Elite also gains Hyundai’s blind view monitor that showcases a live feed within the instrument cluster, as well as blind spot monitors, parking sensors and a 360-degree surround view.

Yes, there’s also driver monitoring and road sign recognition. Both can be intrusive, and while Hyundai has built in measures to make it easier to deactivate annoying audible warnings via a mute button and starred menus, the process must be undertaken each time you press the ignition.

You won’t feel less shortchanged for tech in the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite.

Its dash houses dual 12.3-inch displays, with the central touchscreen handling infotainment, while the other deals with the instrument cluster. The former comes with Hyundai’s latest operating system and provides clean graphics as well as a fast response rate with a menu layout that’s easy enough to decipher.

A few themes can be selected – or tie in with the drive mode – for the digital instrument cluster, with all the vital information and energy flow meters highlighted. It is a shame that a head-up display isn’t included, though.

Families will appreciate the 14-speaker BOSE premium sound system on long journeys, as well as the wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other kit includes a cooled wireless charge pad, in-built sat-nav, seven USB-C ports, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio and voice activation.

The Palisade also accepts Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, as well as the company’s Bluelink technology that allows remote access to your car via a smartphone. Hyundai’s digital key is included and the Palisade has V2L capability.

Just like the Calligraphy, V6 petrol and turbo-diesel power has been replaced by turbo-petrol electric hybridisation for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 192kW and 353Nm, while the electric motor adds an additional 54kW and 264Nm. Hyundai claims a combined output of 245kW and 460Nm, which is far healthier than the powertrains it usurps.

The Elite uses a conventional torque converter six-speed automatic transmission, which sends the hybrid system’s combined grunt to each corner via a mechanical all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

With the internal combustion engine and the e-motor working together, there’s more than enough performance to fulfil the brief. The Elite shifts off the line eagerly with instant EV assistance, while the 460Nm of torque affords effortless progress, too.

Unlike CVT applications, the gearbox doesn’t perch revs high under acceleration, resulting in lowered acoustics. There are steering wheel-mounted paddles that can be used for gear changes or to manipulate the level of brake regen.

A non-hybrid version of this engine is also expected to join the line-up in the future.

Opting for petrol power used to be a thirsty operation, with the outgoing naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 (front-wheel-drive only) guzzling 10.7L/100km.

Thankfully, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite doesn’t have the same appetite for unleaded petrol, and its 72-litre tank accepts 91 RON. Officially, the combined average consumption drops to 6.8L/100km.

After a week of testing we couldn’t match the claim, though even our 8.1L/100km average is commendable given the Palisade is a 2185kg three-row SUV. A dedicated highway run returned 6.9L/100km.

While the Palisade doesn’t offer a full EV mode, it can run on the e-motor alone at slow speeds and while coasting on highways to save fuel. And it takes care of charging itself, without the need to plug in to replenish the 1.65kWh lithium-ion battery.

There’s an upmarket feel behind the wheel of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite. It certainly goes about its business in a refined way, befitting the higher price tag.

Plaudits must be given to the Aussie tuned suspension, too. Yes, the Elite runs smaller 20-inch wheels, but it remains comfortable and composed on most surfaces, returning a relaxed and confidence-inspiring experience.

In the realm of eight-seat SUVs, the Palisade Elite displays positive dynamics, too. It doesn’t roll too much for what it is and despite measuring more than five metres in length and almost two metres in width, it doesn’t feel intimidating on the road. Even the acoustic glass and sound deadening keeps it a quiet and serene experience, with decent outward vision, too.

As you’d expect, there are drive modes to choose from – Eco, Normal, Sport and Custom. You don’t really need to venture out of Eco or Normal, as Sport merely adds artificial weight to the already vague and heavy steering. The rim of the multi-function steering wheel is also verging on BMW levels of thick.

Grip is significantly improved over the old front-wheel drive V6, with the Elite finding far more purchase. Although, it’s still the front axle that can struggle for purchase in slippery conditions. On the flip side, the brakes feel natural despite the inclusion of regen to charge the battery pack.

Can the Palisade go off-road? Well, it does come with a full-size spare wheel, terrain modes (Snow and Sand) and 187mm of ground clearance. And the AWD system does connect the two axles mechanically via a proper driveshaft. However, its home is on tarmac – especially with the bitumen-focused Pirelli Scorpion tyres.

The braked towing capacity has reduced 200kg to 2000kg.

It’s almost akin to a big, comfy and leather-clad living room, especially with the wrap-around dash design that clearly makes left- or right-hand-drive compatibility easier.

While our 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite test vehicle might be a sea of dark hues, there’s attention to detail within the cabin and the build quality appears solid. The big screens fit nicely within the dash, too, while physical controls for the media and climate are also appreciated.

Moving the gear selector to the steering column (twist it the way you wish to proceed) frees up some space in the centre console, which houses the wireless charge pad, cup holders and USB-C ports. There’s also an open area below it to place items, although it isn’t for valuables as it is left exposed.

The second row is a spacious place to be in terms of leg and headroom, while the seats can slide forward/aft and recline for added comfort. Controls for the rear climate are in the roof, as are the air vents that extend to both the second and third rows. Unlike the powered versions in the Calligraphy, the Elite requires manual manipulation of the centre row to gain access to seats six, seven and eight.

Yes, there's more space than in the smaller Santa Fe, but the third row is still a kid’s domain and not adults – unless you’re parenting teenage basketballers. Once seated, head and legroom are more acceptable than accommodating. However, it also depends how generous those in the sliding row ahead are.

Further proving its family-friendly flexibility, with all seats in place there’s still 300 litres of cargo capacity. That expands to 712L with the third row stowed flat into the floor, or a van-like 2081L at maximum.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite makes a lot of sense – and not just if you require eight seats.

With a lowered price of entry, those wanting the extra space the bigger Palisade offers against the Santa Fe will find it easier to justify. Yes, some of the safety tech has become annoying and it isn’t quite as frugal as the hybrid powertrain might suggest, but it remains a competent all-round package.

Ultimately, the Elite doesn’t leave you feeling shortchanged either, helping you retain extra funds in a disposable account for family adventures.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite at a glance:
Price: $76,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol electric
Output: 192kW/353Nm (electric motor: 54kW/264Nm)
Combined output: 245kW/460Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 154g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2025)

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