Hyundai has provided details about the powertrains that will be available for the 2026 Palisade in Korea. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbo-four that makes 281 horsepower. A hybrid type offers 334 horsepower. We anticipate the U.S. version of the new Palisade will be revealed soon, alongside a redesigned version of its sibling, the Kia Telluride. The new Hyundai Palisade came out at the end of 2024. We now know more about the engines that can be used in Korea, where the three-row SUV is made. The naturally aspirated V-6 engine in the old model will be swapped out for a turbocharged four-cylinder, and a hybrid option will be added. While Hyundai only just released the vehicle in Korea, it gives a good idea of what the new Palisade and its Kia Telluride cousin will have to offer when they come to the US. The same 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged engine with 281 horsepower is likely to be used in the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento, among other cars. Hyundai’s transmission will be different from the dual-clutch transmission that works with this engine in other cars because this gearbox is hard to use and caused problems in our long-term Kia Sorento with this motor. The new hybrid transmission is powered by this 2.5-liter turbocharged gas engine. The current model’s 3.8-liter V-6 engine makes 291 horsepower. Hyundai says the total output will be 334 horsepower, which is a big boost. It wouldn’t have as much power as the 362-hp Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, but it would be faster than many other hybrid mid-size SUVs on the market. All-wheel drive is standard on the hybrid Palisade, and Hyundai says that changeable dampers can be added as an extra. Some of the more odd features of the Palisade made in Korea might not be available in the US. For example, the front bench seat can fit nine people. The Calligraphy variant (shown above) is a U.S.-spec car because of most of the exterior style and high-end interior parts. We expect to be able to buy the 2026 Palisade in the US by the end of the year. In the coming months, Hyundai should make that clear.
