← Back to Verdikt 
▼ ▼
Midsize 3-Row SUV
Hyundai Palisade
→ Consider
Solid choice with some caveats
Hyundai built this three-row to compete with luxury nameplates at half the sticker, quilted Calligraphy leather, 360 cameras, and semi-autonomous highway driving for $50k instead of $70k, and the 2023-2025 models mostly deliver on that promise. The 2026 redesign, though, hit a wall: a power-folding seat crushed a child to death in Ohio, triggering a 68,500-unit recall and stop-sale, while owners report dead batteries from digital key drain and wiring harness failures. The interior still impresses, the space is genuinely useful across all three rows, and the warranty cushions the gamble. But if you're buying new, you're debugging Hyundai's first swing at this generation. If you're buying used, stick to 2023-2025 and budget for a dealership experience that'll make you miss the DMV.
The generation that matters
This product isn't one story — here's how each era is regarded.
First generation (2020–2025)
2020–2025
Strong
Widely praised since debut for premium interior, features, and value. Some transmission issues and door hardware complaints reported, but generally regarded as a great product that competed well with Telluride.
Second generation (2026+)
2026+
Mixed
Redesigned model with boxier styling and hybrid option. Early reception is positive for interior luxury and tech, but marred by serious power seat recall (child fatality) and first-year redesign caution. Too new for reliability verdict.
−
Common complaints6 issues−2026 models experiencing first-year issues: power seat recall, battery drain, wiring harness failures
−V6 engine (2026) feels underpowered for the vehicle's size and weight
−Hyundai/Kia dealership experience widely criticized as poor, unhelpful, predatory
−Concerns about long-term reliability past 100k miles based on brand history
−Resale value significantly weaker than Toyota/Honda competitors
−Some reports of transmission issues and oil consumption on earlier models
✓
What owners praise7 strengths✓
Interior quality and luxury features punch well above price point, especially Calligraphy trim
✓
Spacious three-row layout with genuinely usable second and third rows
✓
Strong value proposition compared to Toyota/Lexus competitors at $20k+ less
✓
Generous standard tech including HDA2 semi-autonomous driving, 360 camera, premium audio
✓
Hybrid powertrain (2026+) delivers strong acceleration and improved fuel economy over V6
✓
10-year/100k mile warranty provides peace of mind
✓
Comfortable highway cruiser with refined ride quality
📊 How this score was calculated — 6-dimension rubric
High confidence▼
754 sources analysed with long-term owner data present
754 sources analysed — strong data quality
Reliability & Durability(22%)6.0
12 positive vs 8 negative long-term reports
User Sentiment(22%)6.7
1,847 positive upvotes vs 892 negative upvotes
Complaint Severity(16%)7.1
Complaints: 18 cosmetic, 47 functional, 12 systematic, 3 safety
Consensus Strength(8%)5.2
68 strongly positive, 22 strongly negative, 41 mixed/neutral
Value for Money(15%)6.1
34 'worth it', 8 'overpriced', 19 mention better-value alternatives
Owner Advocacy(17%)7.7
4 repurchased/gifted, 28 unprompted recommendations, 6 regrets
Scores are percentile ranks: 5.0 is the median product in existence. 8.5+ is reserved for genuinely exceptional products (top ~10%). The score reflects consensus quality, what owners say about the product. Risk is tracked separately and shown above the summary when present. Both are calculated deterministically, so the same signals always produce the same score.
Specifications2026
▼Pricing
Starting MSRP
$41,035
Range
$41,035 - $58,160
Capability
Towing capacity
5,000 lbs
Fuel economy
20-21 MPG combined (gas V-6), 19/26 MPG city/highway (FWD), 19/24 MPG city/highway (AWD)
Drivetrain
FWD / AWD available
Dimensions & capacity
Seating
7-8 passengers
Cargo
18-86.4 cu ft
Powertrains
3.5L V-6
standard on all trims
287 hp · 262 lb-ft
2.5L Turbo I-4 Hybrid
hybrid - reviewed separately
329 hp
Trim pricing
SE
Base trim
$41,035
SEL Premium
Best value - adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel
—
XRT Pro
Rugged model with raised suspension, terrain modes for mud/sand/snow, extra inch of ground clearance
—
Limited
Includes integrated hidden hitch
—
Calligraphy AWD
Top luxury trim with Genesis-like amenities, integrated hidden hitch
$58,160
🏆
How it ranks in Midsize 3-Row SUV
4 products compared
1
Toyota Grand Highlander
8.0/10
✓ Buy
2
Mazda CX-90
7.2/10
→ Consider
3
Hyundai Palisade you are here
7.1/10
→ Consider
4
Kia Telluride
6.9/10
→ Consider
If you're buying
Know what others paid before you walk in.