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2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD - Review by David Colman +VIDEO
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
Genesis-level fit and finish, but Hyundai-level price
David Colman
Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL
The completely revamped 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy will forever be enshrined in my own personal SUV Hall of Fame for one simple reason: it's designed to
make loading a bike (or anything else) Simple Simon.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
For years, with literally dozens of SUVs, I have struggled to get cabins set up for a bike. That job is never easy, obvious, or self-explanatory. I have puzzled over
poorly written Owner's Manuals, non-existent signage, and recalcitrant cabin furniture that made me ask What were they thinking?
The new Palisade eliminates all that
nonsense by requiring you to push one single button. Just raise the wide tailgate and you'll discover an instrument panel on the left wall of the trunk. This gem
displays a complete set of legible, illuminated buttons controlling the second and third row seatbacks. They can be raised or lowered, partially or fully, independently
or all at once. This one brilliant design coup elevates the new Palisade to an SUV class all its own.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
Of course, there are a few other pertinent factors to consider that might convince you to buy this Hyundai. The first is its quite reasonable list price of $56,060.
Tack on just $245 for carpeted floor mats and $1,495 for freight and handling (total outlay: $57,800), and you've scored a sumptuously equipped 7/8 passenger
all-wheel-drive behemoth that - in Calligraphy form - will compete with any other top drawer SUV for comfort and stylistic supremacy. The interior of this magic
bus verges on palatial. Not in the Baroque sense of gilded arrogance, but rather in the refined sense of consummate good taste.
Our Typhoon Silver unit was elegantly upholstered in light beige Nappa Leather trimmed "Comfort" seats, which proved so captivating we were content to
luxuriate in them for added minutes after destination arrival. Hyundai interior stylists have achieved a captivating look that will relax your senses while driving.
The heated and ventilated driver's seat offers "Ergo Motion and Integrated Memory" for posture enhancement. Even the second row captain's chairs are
fully equipped with leather-trimmed "Relaxation Seats" to ease your spine for extended sits. The rear-most third row is hardly steerage either, with access
to the way back facilitated by automatic tilt and slide programmed into Row 2's captain's chairs.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
The revised 2026 Palisade has grown in length, wheelbase, and curb weight compared to the 2025 model. Length is up by 2.7 inches, wheelbase increases by the same
amount, and weight is substantially boosted by 377 pounds to a new curb weight of 4,872 lbs. While lesser Palisades ride on 20 x 7.5J wheels shod with 245/50/20 rubber,
the top-line Calligraphy model we tested wears upgraded 21 x 8.5J alloys mounting 265/45R21 Pirelli Scorpion MS rubber (TW 500). These Pirellis provided good ride quality,
despite the short sidewall height of the tires. The sparkling upsized rims look like they were designed specifically for our Typhoon Silver rig.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
The Palisade's growth spurt wouldn't be quite so noticeable if output of the standard V6 gas engine had increased a bit to compensate. Instead, the 287hp
3.5-liter gas engine has actually lost 5hp compared to 2025, as well as 2-4lb.-ft. of torque. With the increase in girth and the slight loss of urge, the 2026 V6 Palisade
is rather hard-pressed to keep pace with the speed you need for faultless freeway merges. At 6.6 seconds, the 2026 Palisade takes about 0.2 of a second longer to reach
60mph from a standing start than last year's lighter, smaller version.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD
However, for those who seek an extra margin of performance, Hyundai is planning to introduce a plug-in hybrid that will make 329hp and 339lb.-ft. of torque. The hybrid
will also cover an astonishing 619 miles of range before needing a top-off. For those who pay attention to power-to-weight ratios, the '25 Palisade recorded a p/w ratio
of 15.48lb/hp, while the '26 Calligraphy we tested slipped to 16.97lb/hp. The anticipated hybrid should drop the number down significantly - to 14.80lb/hp. Note that
the V6 Palisade is rated for a tow weight of 5,000lbs, while the hybrid is restricted to a 4,000lb trailer. Both models come equipped with a receiver jack hidden by a
removable modesty plate beneath the rear bumper.
If you're in the market for a posh family hauler with Genesis-level fit and finish, but Hyundai-level price, the Calligraphy version of the revamped Palisade is
definitely the way to go. You might just say the handwriting is on the wall.
