2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Palisade: Top Family SUV Updates in Columbia

Both the 2026 and 2027 Hyundai Palisade belong to the same generation, so this really comes down to first-year excitement versus second-year confidence in the same redesign. If you’re weighing your options in Columbia, SC, we’re happy to walk you through what each year brings to the table. Contact our team to schedule a test drive.

Comparing the 2026 and 2027 Hyundai Palisade for Columbia Families

The Hyundai Palisade arrived for the 2020 model year, giving families a three-row SUV with room to grow and a reputation for solid safety scores. For 2026, Hyundai gave the Palisade a full redesign, refreshing the cabin layout and the powertrain lineup. The 2027 Palisade is officially designated a “Carry-over Model” for both the gas and hybrid versions, with two lineup changes: SEL Convenience is discontinued on the gas models, and a new Calligraphy Black Ink joins the hybrid range at the top.

2026 Hyundai Palisade: A Redesigned Family SUV

The 2026 Palisade stretched its wheelbase by 2.7 inches and added 2.5 inches to overall length compared to the prior generation. That extra length translates into noticeably more room for passengers and cargo.

New Seating Layout and Cabin Comfort

The 2026 Palisade’s SE trim seats eight standard, while SEL, SEL Convenience, SEL Premium, Limited, XRT PRO, and Calligraphy seat seven standard, with the eight-passenger bench available on SEL, SEL Premium, and Limited. Captain’s chairs come standard on every trim above SE, with one-touch second-row slide for third-row access. On Calligraphy, front and second-row Relaxation seats recline and deploy leg supports, which matters on longer drives to Charlotte or the coast.

Front legroom sits at 44.2 inches, second row reaches up to 43.0 inches, and the third row offers 32.1 inches, with 61 inches of shoulder room across the front two rows. The third row splits 60/40 and folds flat on every trim, and it power-folds and heats on Limited and Calligraphy, while heated and ventilated second-row seats start at SEL Premium. Calligraphy trim shoppers get Nappa leather and an Ergo-Motion driver seat.

Updated Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2026 Palisade’s safety suite is built around ten standard airbags, including full-length side curtain airbags with third-row coverage. Third-row seat belt pretensioners and force limiters work alongside an AHSS structure for further protection, backed by Hyundai SmartSense features like Highway Driving Assist. Safe Exit Assist is standard across the lineup, Advanced Rear Occupant Alert comes on SEL and above, and Calligraphy adds a built-in dual-camera Dash Cam.

IIHS awarded the 2026 Palisade a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK, and units built after November 2025 with updated rear seat belt buckles earned the 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+. NHTSA gives the Palisade Hybrid a 5-star overall rating.

Modern Technology and Infotainment Upgrades

A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard on every trim, joined by a matching 12.3-inch digital cluster on SEL and above, where SE runs a 4.2-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and three-zone climate control are standard throughout, while wireless charging, 64-color ambient lighting, and Digital Key 2 Premium start at SEL, and the 14-speaker Bose system arrives on Limited, XRT PRO, and Calligraphy. High-power USB-C ports in all three rows, Hyundai Pay, and over-the-air updates come standard and keep the Palisade current long after purchase.

Cargo Space and Ride Comfort Improvements

Cargo room grew slightly over the prior generation: 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.3 behind the second, and 86.7 behind the front row. Acoustic laminated glass and a MacPherson strut front suspension with independent multi-link rear help smooth out the ride, and self-leveling rear suspension is standard on every trim, not just the top ones. Acoustic glass moves from the front doors to the rear doors as well on SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy, which is where the cabin gets quietest.

2027 Hyundai Palisade: Carryover Strengths for Families

If you’ve been searching “when does the new Palisade come out” or “2027 Hyundai Palisade release date,” the answer is that it’s already here. Hyundai has designated the 2027 Palisade a carryover model, so it arrives with the same core strengths as the 2026 version, built on that platform instead of a new set of changes. Pricing is published and the lineup is on sale now, which means you can compare a 2026 and a 2027 side by side rather than wait.

Proven Seating and Interior Practicality

The 2027 Hyundai Palisade interior carries over the same seating layout, Calligraphy Relaxation seats, and captain’s chairs found in the 2026 model, with eight-passenger seating standard on SE and available on SEL, SEL Premium, and Limited. The one change is that SEL Convenience is no longer offered, so families shopping this year know exactly what they’re getting from a slightly shorter gas lineup.

Established Safety Suite and Reliability

Expect the same ten-airbag setup, SmartSense suite, and AHSS structure to continue into the 2027 model year. Those are the same features that helped the 2026 Palisade earn its IIHS recognition in the first place.

Familiar Technology Features

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Hyundai Pay, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen remain standard for 2027, with Digital Key 2 Premium and the second 12.3-inch cluster screen starting at SEL, exactly as in 2026. Hyundai’s published 2027 specs confirm continuity here, not an overhaul of the tech.

Cargo Capacity and Comfortable Ride Quality

Cargo dimensions hold steady at 19.1, 46.3, and 86.7 cubic feet, and the suspension carries over with self-leveling rear standard on every trim. The 3.5L V6, rated at up to 287 hp and 260 lb-ft, carries over unchanged. Pricing has been announced, and it landed close to 2026 levels: the 2027 Palisade SE starts at $39,735 before destination, with Calligraphy at $54,860 and the Palisade Hybrid opening at $44,560.

Side-by-Side: Key Family-Focused Differences

Which Palisade Model Year Is Right for Your Family?

If you’d rather have the second model year that builds on a platform Hyundai itself calls a carryover, the 2027 Hyundai Palisade for sale is arriving in Columbia showrooms now. Either way, you’re getting the same core SUV, just at a different point in its production cycle, with about $300 separating the two starting prices. You can explore financing options to see what fits your budget before deciding.

Explore Palisade Inventory at Stivers Hyundai

Compare Trims in Person

Whichever model year fits your family better, our team at Stivers Hyundai is here to help you compare trims: SE, SEL, SEL Premium, XRT PRO, Limited, and Calligraphy, plus SEL Convenience on remaining 2026 models.

Schedule Your Visit

Stop by 9950 Farrow Rd in Columbia, SC, or reach out to our team to schedule a test drive and see the Palisade lineup for yourself.

Images by OEM