Every three-row family midsize SUV has them (and every brand has them.) ford for Mercedes) is a lesson in subtraction. You can either choose the cheap one that is fully functional without being overpriced, or you can choose the one that may be slightly (or completely) out of budget that will have you wondering the carpool line. Somewhere along the way, buyers’ hopes of landing something that could do it all were dashed.
However, for the 2026 models, a complete redesign makes that ideology obsolete. You can get real space with really high-end materials, two equally impressive powertrains to choose from (including a hybrid), and a price that won’t let you down. Here’s what we believe to be the most complete midsize family three-row SUV currently on the market and why you need to give it a look.
Every midsize SUV forces you to choose a lane—not one
Mid-size three-row family SUVs have become so popular that some automakers have two models so to speak. Often, one is a more value-friendly option, and the other is a more premium version. Other brands offer both at similar prices. The “perfect” SUV offers all that – it’s roomy, it’s refined, and it’s economically efficient. That unicorn is no longer a myth.
The compromise every family buyer knows well
Anyone who has bought an affordable midsize SUV knows this struggle well. You get the make and model you want, but then when it comes to the trim and features you need, you bite off more than you can chew on the luxury side. You get everything you want, but the long-term costs outweigh the immediate costs. The fuel efficiency is next to nothing and the warranty is ridiculous. Many times, you end up doing something that you will regret later on.
What “Done” Really Means When Marketing Fade
Marketing executives would like you to believe that everything there gives you a complete picture of what you want from a midsize three-row family SUV. What this really means is ample space, real-life cabin materials that are so good they don’t feel cheap, and enough money left over to go on vacation. This is certainly a measurable hurdle, but one that most people can’t overcome.
What makes Hyundai SUVs smarter than expected?
Hyundai’s SUV lineup consistently offers equipment, safety tech, and utility that exceed their price tags.
This section is crowded, but most contenders have nothing to offer
The mid-size SUV segment has exploded in recent years, which has its benefits. Sure, you have a lot to choose from, but cross-shopping different brands and models can become a nightmare. What will you ultimately discover? There are plenty of vehicles in this segment – Fords, Chevrolets and even Buicks – that offer a lot of the same things.
The deal is chosen by the one who goes out of the way
A bargain car like the Mitsubishi Outlander may seem like a good option as such vehicles are obviously premium. You get a myriad of options for very little money. Then, once you’ve had it on the road for a while, you really start to see where brands like this cut corners, whether it’s in the content, the software of the infotainment system, or the like. You might be saving a few thousand bucks, but eventually you’ll have to pay the price.
Premium badges that charge you for the privilege
On the other side of this equation, you can choose something gorgeous like the Mercedes-Benz GLS or the BMW X7. However, if you’re like most people, the base model with no features seems to be the best choice. Then you don’t get a lot of features that you could get with other options. Needless to mention, maintenance on these vehicles becomes so expensive that you could end up paying for something like a Hyundai or Kia.
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2026 Palisade – Hyundai quietly builds what doesn’t blink
Hyundai is one of those brands that we hinted about earlier. There are technically three midsize three-row SUVs in this segment if you’re also counting the Hyundai Ioniq 9. The real winner in this fight is Hyundai Palisade. It was redesigned for the 2026 model year and has pulled out all the stops to give customers the same wow factor as the first generation. You end up with the same best-in-class treatment, giving it a “completeness” that you’ll find hard to find anywhere else.
The new design that rewrote mathematics
The exterior look is boxier but also more rounded. It is said to look similar to the older generation Land Rover Range Rover (Take that as you will). However, the really notable part of the Palisade’s redesign is the interior. Hyundai was able to create an interior that is not only adult-friendly in all three rows, but also has materials and design that look and feel excellent. While the previous generation had the XRT, the new XRT is much sturdier, with tow hooks and higher ground clearance.
The hybrid that closed the last loophole
For the first time, there’s also a hybrid. Unlike the Kia Telluride, the Palisade still has a V6. Like the Telluride, the Palisade also comes with its first hybrid option. It combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, giving it more power and better fuel economy than a V6. It can achieve 30 miles per gallon on the highway and about 620 miles on a single tank of gas. The combination engine produces an impressive 329 horsepower, which is even more than the previous generation V6.
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You don’t need to pay premium prices to buy the most spacious SUV for your big family. There is plenty of space in these mainstream three-row mid-size SUVs.
Numbers that support bragging rights
The completeness argument is only supported by real world data. While much of the Palisade’s success can be attributed to marketing, it remains consistent in its powertrain, efficiency, and so on. It also has a ton of features in its arsenal that many premium/luxury vehicles don’t even have as options.
Powertrain, range, and the spec sheet that lasts
Both engines are built for real-world use, and this becomes more apparent as you look at the specifications. The reason it comes with the V6 over the Telluride is that the Palisade is positioned as the more premium of the two (even though the Telluride is just as good). However, one caveat to all this power and glory is the powertrain’s lack of power. The V6 from the previous generation is still kept, just with fewer ponies.
|
powertrain |
Naturally Aspirated 3.5-Liter V6 |
Turbocharged 2.5-litre 4-cylinder hybrid |
|---|---|---|
|
horse power |
287 hp |
329 hp |
|
Torque: |
260 lb-ft |
339 pound-feet |
|
transfer |
8-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
|
drivetrain |
FWD/AWD |
FWD/AWD |
They’ve made the hybrid powertrain for the Palisade (as well as the Telluride) more powerful because it offers what the V6 can’t – power and fuel efficiency in a clean package. However, the V6 beats the hybrid in towing and its towing capacity is 5,000 pounds compared to the hybrid’s 4,000 pounds.
Trims, Pricing, and Why the Value Argument Lands
Looking at the pricing, you may have to think twice as to how “reasonable” it really is (keep in mind that this is reasonable compared with the average cost of a new car these days). Again, this basically dilutes the luxury/legacy badges by offering more stuff for less money. There are currently seven trims to choose from (if you take the hybrid into account). The SEL Premium is only available in hybrid, and the XRT is only available in the V6.
Starting MSRP of base model 2026 hyundai palisade The SE sits at $39,435. It comes with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite (say that three times fast), a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and front and rear parking sensors. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy Hybrid starts at $56,780 and comes with a host of features ranging from a massage chair for the driver, seat memory, heated and cooled seats, and a UV sanitizing station. You can put a price on perfection, and it’s somewhere in the $40,000 range.
