Hyundai Palisade

Core summary

The current Palisade is Hyundai’s second-generation three-row SUV, offered with V6 and hybrid powertrains.

The Hyundai Palisade is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating. Hyundai introduced it in late 2018 as a replacement for the Maxcruz and positioned it as the brand’s flagship SUV. The current second generation, known as LX3, was unveiled on 6 December 2024, with deliveries in South Korea beginning in January 2025. It brings a boxier exterior, a longer wheelbase, a revised dashboard and a new seating choice: nine seats alongside the seven-seat configuration. The nine-seat version uses a front centre seat, while second-row buyers can choose captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Powertrain availability varies by market. North America receives a 3.5-litre V6 and a new 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid, while several Asian and Australian markets use the hybrid or turbocharged petrol engine. The Palisade remains focused on carrying people across three rows, with market-specific trim, drivetrain and seating combinations rather than one universal specification.

History & generations

The Palisade’s first generation, LX2, debuted at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show and entered production later that year. It replaced the Maxcruz, also known as the Santa Fe XL outside South Korea, and became Hyundai’s largest passenger vehicle at that time. The first generation offered seven- or eight-seat layouts, depending on whether the second row used captain’s chairs or a bench. Hyundai expanded the model internationally from 2019 onward, with different petrol and diesel engines and front- or all-wheel drive depending on the market. A facelift debuted for North America as a 2023 model, adding a revised front end and a 12-inch navigation system. The second generation, LX3, was unveiled in December 2024 and began South Korean deliveries in January 2025. It changed the exterior proportions and interior architecture, added a nine-seat layout, and introduced a hybrid option. This profile treats LX3 as the current production generation; LX2 specifications are historical rather than current-model specifications.

Body, platform & design

The LX3 uses a more upright, boxy exterior than the first-generation Palisade. Its front end is defined by vertical rectangular LED headlights, integrated LED daytime running lights and a thin LED light strip across the upper grille area. A silver-finished D-pillar trim element adds a distinct side detail. At the rear, the taillights echo the vertical form of the headlights, while the rear wiper sits beneath the roof spoiler. The lower rear bumper uses a faux skidplate treatment and conceals the exhaust outlets. Proportionally, the second generation has a longer wheelbase, a shorter front overhang and a stretched rear overhang compared with its predecessor. The XRT Pro version shown for North America is intended to provide greater off-road capability than the previous XRT. Listed XRT Pro equipment includes 8.4 inches of ground clearance, recovery hooks and published approach, departure and breakover angles. These design and equipment details distinguish the current LX3 from the facelifted LX2.

Engine & drivetrain

The current Palisade’s powertrain depends on the market. For North America, the 2026 model offers a 3.5-litre V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also introduces a hybrid system built around a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four, electric motors and a six-speed automatic transmission. The North American V6 is listed with a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the hybrid is listed with a 4,000-pound capacity. Other markets use different combinations. Indonesia and the Philippines receive the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol hybrid, while Brunei and Laos use the 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Australia’s second-generation model uses the petrol hybrid. The earlier LX2 used several petrol and diesel engines in different regions and should not be confused with the current LX3 lineup.

Trim differences

Trim availability is market-specific. In North America, the current generation includes Limited and Calligraphy versions, and the XRT Pro was revealed for the 2026 model year. In Australia, the second-generation Palisade launched in Calligraphy form, with an Elite version added in February 2026 and a Calligraphy Black Ink model added in July 2026. Indonesia lists Signature, Calligraphy and Calligraphy AWD variants, while the Philippines lists a sole HEV Calligraphy variant. Brunei offers Calligraphy AWD and Laos lists GLS AWD and Calligraphy AWD. These names do not represent a universal global hierarchy. Earlier LX2 names, such as the first-generation XRT or regional Prestige and Highlander variants, belong to the preceding generation unless specifically identified as current LX3 versions.

Interior & seating

The current Palisade’s dashboard uses a wraparound upper structure that houses two 12.3-inch screens: one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment. Physical switches and the air-conditioning vents sit lower on the dashboard. The centre console is separated from the dashboard, creating storage space beneath it, and incorporates a wireless charger, a 100W USB charging outlet and a storage cubby. The automatic-transmission selector moves from the centre console to the steering-column area. Seating is a major LX3 change. The model is available with seven seats or, for the first time, nine seats. The nine-seat configuration uses a front centre seat, while the second row can be fitted with captain’s chairs or a bench. The third row has a standard 60:40 split bench. In Australia, the seven-seat Calligraphy configuration includes electrically adjustable individual second-row seats and a reclining relaxation mode. Those features are market and configuration dependent, rather than universal Palisade equipment.

Efficiency & range

In North America, the hybrid combines a 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four with electric motors and a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 alternative is a 3.5-litre engine paired with an eight-speed automatic. The reference also records that approximately 70% of South Korean pre-orders in the first pre-order month were for the hybrid model, indicating substantial early demand for that configuration, but this is not an efficiency measurement. Earlier LX2 versions used different petrol and diesel engines across international markets, so their economy results would not describe the current LX3. Buyers should therefore compare the exact market specification and drivetrain rather than applying one efficiency expectation to every Palisade.

Safety & equipment

The reference records that the first-generation Palisade received IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards for the 2021 through 2023 model years. The reference does identify a March 2026 halt affecting Limited and Calligraphy trims in the United States, Canada, Korea and Australia after a child died when power-operated rear seats did not properly detect an occupant or object. The reported issue affected second- and third-row seats. This event is relevant to current-model ownership and should be checked against the latest manufacturer instructions, market notices and repair information before purchase or use. No broader current-generation safety conclusion is made here beyond the supplied account.

Strengths

The Palisade’s principal strengths are its three-row layout, broad seating flexibility and substantial redesign for the LX3 generation. Buyers can choose seven or nine seats, and the second row can use captain’s chairs or a bench. The front centre seat in the nine-seat configuration is a notable change from the first generation. The current cabin also brings two 12.3-inch displays, a separated centre console with additional storage and a column-mounted automatic-transmission selector. Powertrain choice is broader in North America because the current model offers both a 3.5-litre V6 and a new turbocharged hybrid system. The XRT Pro adds a more explicitly off-road-oriented variant with recovery hooks and published approach, departure and breakover angles. International availability is another practical advantage for regional buyers, although engines, drivetrains, seating and trims differ considerably. The model’s value proposition therefore centres on space, configuration and updated technology rather than a single common specification.

Considerations

The Palisade requires careful market-level comparison. Engine choices, drivetrain, seating, trim names and equipment vary between North America, Asia and Oceania. A nine-seat LX3 is not equivalent to every seven-seat version, and the Australian Calligraphy’s second-row equipment is configuration-specific. Buyers also need to distinguish the current LX3 from the facelifted LX2, which has different exterior and powertrain details. The March 2026 suspension of Limited and Calligraphy sales in several markets is an important current consideration because it relates to power-operated rear-seat occupant or object detection. Towing figures are supplied only for the North American V6 and hybrid configurations and should not be transferred to other markets.

Recommended use

The Palisade is suited to buyers who need three rows for regular family or group transport. Its seven-seat layout with second-row captain’s chairs targets users who prefer easier passage and individual second-row seating, while the bench-seat configurations prioritize carrying capacity. The nine-seat LX3 expands passenger capacity by using a front centre seat and may suit the specific transport needs described for South Korea. The separated console, under-console storage, wireless charger and 100W USB outlet support longer journeys and everyday passenger use. North American buyers can select between a V6 and hybrid powertrain, while other markets may have only one engine or drivetrain combination. The XRT Pro is the relevant current variant for buyers seeking more stated off-road equipment, including recovery hooks and increased ground clearance. It remains a crossover SUV rather than a dedicated off-road vehicle in the supplied description, so selection should follow the exact local specification and intended passenger, towing or terrain requirements.

FAQ

Q: What is the current Hyundai Palisade generation? A: The second generation, LX3, unveiled in December 2024.

Q: How many people can the current Palisade seat? A: It is offered with seven or nine seats; some markets also list eight-seat versions.

Q: Which engines are available? A: North America lists a 3.5-litre V6 and a 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid; other markets differ.

Q: Does every Palisade have all-wheel drive? A: No. Drivetrain availability varies by market and trim.

Q: What is the XRT Pro? A: A current North American variant with stated off-road equipment and recovery hooks.

Q: Did the Palisade receive a safety award? A: The first generation received IIHS awards for the 2021–2023 model years; no current LX3 rating is supplied.

Sources & updates

Research for this Hyundai Palisade profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.

Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 30, 2026.

• 2026 Hyundai Palisade official specifications →
• 2026 Palisade | Three-Row Midsize SUV | Hyundai USA · official manufacturer →
• Hyundai Palisade · reference overview →

Last editorial review: August 30, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.