The Hyundai Palisade is back, and this time it’s sporting a sharper suit, a hybrid diet, and enough seats to qualify as a bus in South Korea. That’s right—this family-friendly SUV has been completely reimagined for 2026, and it’s bringing some serious Range Rover vibes with a dash of Korean practicality. Let's dive into why this could be your next dream car—or at least your dad's.

All-new Palisade | Source: Hyundai

Big, Boxy, and Beautiful

Hyundai decided to throw out the curves of the old Palisade and embrace the box life. The 2026 version is like your favorite pizza delivery guy: square, reliable, and carrying something irresistible. The new design features segmented LED lights that look like they were ripped straight out of Hyundai's Ioniq EV lineup. It's bold, it's blocky, and it’s got a grille so big it could double as a cricket net in an Indian neighborhood park.

And those 21-inch wheels? Stunning, sure, but with more spokes than a Bengaluru traffic circle, cleaning them will probably take longer than driving from Delhi to Jaipur.

Room for Nine, Because Why Not?

South Korean buyers get a 9-seater version where the center console converts into a seat. Yep, the middle seat in the first row is back, baby! And no, it’s not just for your annoying younger sibling—it can also make you eligible to drive in bus lanes in Korea. Imagine the chaos if this feature came to India. Half of Bengaluru’s IT crowd would buy one just to zoom past the Silk Board Junction traffic in bus lanes.

India, sadly, might only get the standard 7- or 8-seater versions. But hey, at least there’s enough space for your entire extended family, your luggage, and maybe even a spare cow.

All-new Palisade | Source: Hyundai

Tech for Days

Step inside, and you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a tech startup’s breakout room. There are two 12.3-inch screens—one for the driver and one for the infotainment system—wrapped in a sleek, curved display. Hyundai’s latest software will likely include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so your co-passenger can keep skipping your Bollywood playlists to play K-Pop instead.

Oh, and the gear selector has moved to the steering wheel column. Convenient? Sure. Confusing for first-timers? Probably. Just imagine your dad accidentally shifting gears while trying to honk at someone on the streets of Delhi.

Hybrid Dreams

For the first time, the Palisade will come with a hybrid powertrain option. South Korean reports suggest a 246kW 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid that might sip less than 7L/100km. Compare that to India's beloved fuel-guzzling SUVs, and you might actually survive the skyrocketing petrol prices.

Sadly, there’s no diesel option this time, because Hyundai seems to think diesel is so last decade. But hey, with the hybrid, you can at least pretend you’re saving the planet while revving up the engine on an empty stretch of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Luxury for All

Hyundai is calling the new Palisade a “luxurious living space,” and honestly, they’re not wrong. The interior feels like it was designed by someone who spent a bit too much time browsing Pinterest. Ambient lighting, soft-touch materials, and cupholders big enough to hold your precious chai—this SUV has it all.

The color options range from "Eco-friendly grey" to "Crazy Blue Pearl" (yes, that’s the actual name), which means you can finally have a car as loud as your personality.

Should You Care?

If you’re in the market for a large SUV that can haul everything from your kids to your cricket gear, the Palisade makes a compelling case. It’s got tech, space, style, and a hybrid engine that promises to be easier on your wallet.

That said, if Hyundai ever decides to bring the 9-seater version to India, expect the streets of Gurugram to turn into an actual game of bumper cars as everyone fights for a spot in the bus lanes.

For now, the 2026 Palisade is bold, brash, and a little bit brilliant. And if you don’t like it, don’t worry—Hyundai’s already working on the next-gen version that’ll probably look completely different.