The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Got Slower and Heavier — But Wait Till You See How Luxurious It Is

2026 Hyundai Palisade: More Luxury, Less V6 Performance

Hyundai’s all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade has arrived with a striking new design, a more luxurious cabin, and a new hybrid variant. But this second-generation model’s progress comes with a significant trade-off: the standard V6 model is much slower than its predecessor.

The new Palisade is longer, wider, and packed with technology, including dual 12.3-inch curved displays and an expanded safety suite. The cabin is more premium, with available Nappa leather and power-reclining third-row seats.

However, all that new tech and added comfort comes at the cost of performance.

By the Numbers: Slower and Heavier

According to independent tests by Car and Driver, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro AWD with the new 3.5-liter V6 reached 60 mph in a sluggish 8.1 seconds. That’s a full 1.7 seconds slower than the 2023 Palisade XRT AWD, which did the sprint in 6.4 seconds.

There are two main reasons for the slowdown:

1. Less Power: The new 3.5L Smartstream V6 produces 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a slight decrease from the old 3.8L V6’s 291 hp and 262 lb-ft.
2. More Weight: The 2026 Palisade XRT is nearly 370 pounds heavier than the 2023 model it replaces. This extra mass, combined with a less powerful engine, makes the new non-hybrid Palisade feel more subdued.

The Hybrid Is the New Performance Choice

While the V6 has taken a step back, the new-for-2026 Palisade Hybrid looks to be the clear solution. It pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with electric motors to produce a combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

This powertrain not only promises better efficiency but also delivers the performance the V6 now lacks. In the same Car and Driver tests, the Palisade Hybrid hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds—making it quicker than the outgoing V6 and the clear performance choice for the new generation.

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