Hyundai’s flagship 8-seat SUV has evolved into something genuinely premium, in terms of price. But can the 2026 Palisade compete with traditional premium offerings?
Well, it arrives with a new-generation platform and it’s the first to feature hybrid power in Australia, blending big-SUV practicality with quiet, refined performance. We had a chance to have a first taste at the national media event recently to see what it’s like.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Specifications
Engine: 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid
Electrical: 1.65kWh battery, 2x electric motors
Output (combined): 245kW / 460Nm
Gearbox: Six-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 21×8.5, 265/45
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2258kg
Power-to-weight: 9.21:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 6.8L/100kmOur consumption: 6.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 72L/91 RON
Power efficiency: 36.02kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.74 seconds*
0-100km/h: 7.65 seconds*
60-110km/h: 5.08 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.56 seconds at 151.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.682g*
100-0km/h braking: 41.21m in 3.25 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.025g*
Starting price: $89,900
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: How much does it cost?
The new model is available exclusively in Calligraphy trim and is priced from $89,900 (excluding on-road costs). It targets large families who want luxury and efficiency in equal measure, as before, but that price means it is almost exactly $10,000 more than the equivalent outgoing model.
For that extra dosh you do get new hybrid tech, as mentioned, and the interior is pumped full of technologies and added features in comparison. Even so, it is a big price to pay for something that doesn’t have a traditionally premium badge on it.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Interior & packaging
The totally revamped cabin feels enormous, with an open, lounge-like atmosphere accentuated by slim pillars, a panoramic display, and rich materials across almost every surface. Fit and finish is excellent, and the choice of colour schemes – including bold two-tone options – gives the interior a genuinely upmarket personality.
Front occupants are treated to deeply cushioned ‘Relaxation’ seats, complete with heating, ventilation, and even an ergo-motion function that subtly adjusts lateral support during cornering. The seating layout is configurable as either an eight-seater, or an optional seven-seater with captain’s chairs in the middle row.
There’s superb second-row legroom, and even the third row can accommodate adults thanks to the sliding middle bench. Each row gets cup holders and USB-C ports (six in total), while a flat floor enhances versatility. Behind the third row there’s a useful 300L of cargo space, expanding to 712L with the second row folded, and 2081L with both rear rows down.
Up front, the new curved 12.3-inch dual-screen setup integrates digital instruments and infotainment into one clean sweep. The updated interface is fast and intuitive, running on Hyundai’s new ccNC system with voice commands that rival the best in the business for accuracy and natural speech.
The physical controls for key climate and drive functions are a welcome retention as they help to minimise distraction over a full screen take-over, in our opinion. And it’s all housed on a new, rounded-edge dash slab that seems to be inspired by Swedish furniture. It is distinctively suave and unique.
Other thoughtful and interesting touches include fingerprint ignition, a clever “Stay Mode” that allows you to run the air-conditioning and infotainment while stationary using the hybrid’s 1.65kWh battery, and there’s a sanitising booth for keeping phones and other belongings clean. Overall, we reckon this cabin sets a new standard for Hyundai, not just in space, but in ambience and attention to detail – in some ways justifying the price hike.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Powertrain & handling
Okay, so that hybrid system. It is rather complex but it kind of makes sense as well. You have a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine (similar to the one in the Sonata N Line and some Genesis models), producing 192kW and 353Nm, paired with two electric motors. Combined, you have 245kW and 460Nm.
Now these e-motors (we’ll call them E1 and E2) are positioned in a unique way. Essentially, it goes engine>E1>clutch>E2>gearbox. Why? Because it allows the engine to generate electricity alone, such as when idling so you can use the V2L plug in the back, but it also allows traditional regen during deceleration. It provides full flexibility for the on-board computer in terms of being able to manage where energy flows to and from.
For you, the driver, the package drives like a completely regular petrol engine vehicle. Or perhaps a more traditional hybrid at least. It does have the ability to cruise on electric power alone at highway speeds, saving fuel, and take off under electric power for smoothness and to save fuel.
Fortunately, Hyundai has not resorted to a boring CVT auto, like so many other hybrids. Even if a CVT might have trimmed consumption by a small portion in the lab, Hyundai has said, nope. Here you’ll find a six-speed torque-converter automatic. It has all of the familiar characteristics of a conventional engine, which means it feels normal to drive and actually offers some enthusiasm when you’re in the mood for a good time.
Power is channelled through an all-wheel drive system as standard in Australia. And although it is an on-demand system, prioritising front drive during regular driving for optimum efficiency, it doesn’t use an e-motor for the rear axle like some hybrids; this has a proper tailshaft running down the middle so all power can be sent to all four wheels evenly.
From behind the wheel, the new powertrain feels strong and confident, particularly in urban conditions. The dual-motor electric system provides immediate low-end shove, masking the extra 250kg in kerb weight over the old diesel to some degree. And the transition from electric to combination modes is as smooth as it comes; often the only way to tell a transition has taken place is by looking at the ‘EV’ light flicking on and off.
Acceleration is brisk and you get that traditional building of revs and stepped gears as per a petrol or diesel. We managed to borrow an example to conduct our full performance test on the private road to see what it’s like, although, the battery level was at around 50 per cent during testing – you might see slightly quicker results with a full battery.
In any case, 0-100km/h was clocked in a best of 7.65 seconds, with the quarter mile crossed in 15.56 seconds at 151.9km/h. It’s quicker than the old diesel and petrol V6, according to our tests. The best we managed in the diesel was 9.40 seconds, and the best result for the V6 was 8.01 seconds. So that is good to see an evolution in performance here.
In saying that, it’s not the quickest large SUV out there at the moment, with new Chinese rivals popping up developing a heap more power, and for less money. If performance is high on your priorities, that is. But this makes up for it with consistent performance and good economy.
The official average is stamped at 6.8L/100km and we recorded a highway average of 6.6L/100km. Highway driving is not usually the best scenario for a hybrid, but the official city rate is 6.3L/100km. Expect somewhere within the 6s in overall mixed conditions.
The Australian suspension tune, developed in collaboration with Hyundai’s local engineering team, is another one of the Palisade’s greatest strengths. It prioritises comfort yet avoids the floatiness that can plague large SUVs.
Over patchy roads, the Palisade remains composed and quiet, with no suspension crashing or thudding, while the steering feels natural and predictable. On twistier roads, the big Hyundai remains stable and surprisingly surefooted for its size. But, obviously, it is not going to be as precise or as engaging as a (stiffer) European SUV.
Noise levels are exceptionally well controlled, helped by thicker acoustic glass (double glaze), new insulation throughout the floor, and even foam-lined tyres. Combined with the hybrid’s potential for near-silent operation, it makes for one of the calmest highway cruisers in this class.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: First impressions
This is an eight-seater SUV presenting an exceptionally spacious, high-quality cabin with genuine luxury touches. Its smooth and refined 2.5T hybrid powertrain offers strong low-end torque and decent top-end punch, but with excellent economy for its size and weight. The local ride and handling tune also means it is designed for the broad-ranging – often crappy – surface types we have in Australia. On-board technology is a real standout as well.
However, the new model is about $10k more than the predecessor. It does feel more expensive and you are getting more kit, but how high are the prices going to get? I guess, with new brands hitting our market seemingly every week, presented with bargain prices, the only way is up for the established brands like Hyundai.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: Video
