2026 Hyundai Palisade

Interior: A Surprising Step Back in Design

This is where I struggled the most with the redesign.

Hyundai has always been known for beautiful, well-thought-out interiors, and this one feels… very different. The overall look is much more simplistic, almost to a fault.

• Door panels are padded leather with very little contrast
• No wood trim
• Minimal design elements
• Large, basic door handles

For a Calligraphy trim, it feels surprisingly plain. I genuinely preferred the warmth and visual interest of the outgoing Palisade interior.

Hyundai also removed the traditional logo and replaced it with four dots (representing “H” in Morse code). I’ll be honest — this one feels unnecessary and confusing.

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Center Console & Storage: A Major Miss

One of my favorite features in the previous Palisade was the open center storage area — the perfect place for a phone, keys, lip gloss, or extra cups.

That space is gone.

In its place:

• A wireless charger
• A few small ledges that don’t actually hold much
• A much smaller center console

As a mom, this is a big deal. Everyday storage matters, and this redesign feels like a step backward in usability.

They did attempt a “purse bridge” concept, but it’s small and not especially practical in a vehicle this size.

Tech & Features: Still Very Strong

Despite my design frustrations, the Palisade still delivers on tech and comfort:

• Built-in dash cam (a very cool addition)
• Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats (trim specific)
• Intuitive Hyundai infotainment system
• Physical climate controls (thank you, Hyundai)

I do wish the touch controls had some sort of vibration feedback, but overall, Hyundai’s infotainment remains one of the easiest to use in the industry.

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Second Row: Spacious and Much More Versatile

At the time of filming, only captain’s chairs were available — no bench seat yet.

Second-row legroom is excellent, even with the front seat set for me at about 6 feet tall. Car seat installs are easier than before, thanks to some big hardware upgrades:

Car Seat Hardware Improvements

• 4 sets of lower anchors (up from 3)
• 5 tether anchors (up from 4)
• Lower anchors are well-exposed and easy to access

Hyundai also added a car seat tilt feature, allowing access to the third row with a car seat installed. While useful in theory, the power operation is slow, and combined with the new “relaxation mode,” it feels overcomplicated.

Important Safety Note

The relaxation mode is not safe for driving. The owner’s manual clearly states not to drive with seats reclined in this mode, as seat belts cannot function properly. I personally recommend choosing a trim without these power second-row features.

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In the trunk, Hyundai did a great job clearly labeling tether anchors — a small detail that makes a big difference.

One feature I really like is the ability to slide the third row forward from the trunk, gaining about 6 inches of cargo space without folding seats down. This adds flexibility while maintaining safety.