2026 Hyundai Palisade MSRP Increase, Still a Better Value Than Toyota, Honda?
The Hyundai Palisade was a great value. Does a price hike change anything?
Hyundai revealed that pricing for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade will climb by nearly 5%, coinciding with the debut of the model's second generation. But it's hardly getting less for more. The new SUV is larger than the outgoing model, features attractive new styling both inside and out, and offers numerous new extras, including an available hybrid powertrain and more comfortable seats. While that's all well and good, the mid-size three-row SUV segment is one of the most competitive segments out there. Can the Palisade afford to grow another nearly $2,000? The best way to find out is to benchmark it against two of the best to ever do it: the Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot.
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But first, where exactly is the Palisade going in 2026? Its base MSRP will rise to $38,935 before delivery/freight fees, up from $37,200 for the 2025 model year, or a $1,735 increase. The new hybrid Palisade starts at $43,660 and relies on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors. No matter which SUV you opt for, there's more to love than before, as the 2026 Hyundai Palisade grows 2.5 inches in length and rides on a longer wheelbase than before. According to Hyundai, that means legroom gains for second and third-row passengers. Carrying on the 'bigger is better' theme, the Palisade gains 21-inch wheels for the first time.
But the 2026 Hyundai Palisade also carries on a legacy of value from its predecessor. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, as is eight-person seating and a variety of driver assistance features, including blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and navigation-based cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A fancier dual-screen interface comprises two 12.3-inch displays, kicking off the new model's gadgetry improvements alongside which sit standard over-the-air updates and a new version of Hyundai's digital key platform.
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs. Toyota Grand Highlander
Right out of the gate, we can see that the 2026 Hyundai Palisade remains competitive with the Toyota Grand Highlander. Last year's model starts at $40,860, a number that's sure to climb when 2026 details are finalized. Nearly $2,000 difference in price surely means some significant advantages elsewhere, though, right? Both models nail the basics: wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, seating for eight, and three-zone automatic climate control. Both come with nearly identical driver assistance systems as standard. Performance, too, is nearly a dead-even match. While the standard V6 in the Palisade is down on torque (260) compared to the Grand Highlander's 310 pound-feet, it makes up for it with 20 additional horsepower (287). Both offer hybrid variants, although the Palisade's 329 horsepower handily beats out the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's 245 horsepower.
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2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Of course, one arena in which Toyota's three-row SUV pulls ahead is space. Being three inches or so longer than the 2026 Hyundai Palisade means a lot more cargo space. The 2025 model touts 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo space, which is ten more than the last Palisade. Interestingly, though, with the third row in place, the two are again nearly identical, with both 2026 models offering around 20 cubic feet of cargo space. It's a mixed bag with second- and third-row space, with each offering fractional advantages in different categories. Since the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a larger vehicle than its predecessor, we think it's safe to say that it'll certainly remain competitive with the Highlander, if not outright best it, when it comes to passenger comfort. And, for that matter, when it comes to nearly any other metric.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander —
Source: Toyota
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs. Honda Pilot
The current Honda Pilot debuted in 2023, so it's due for some updates. We expect the model to remain relatively unchanged under the sheet metal, but there may be some small exterior tweaks and, very likely, an updated screen over the current base model's seven-inch touchscreen. With a base MSRP of $40,200, the Pilot skirts closer to the Toyota's base price than the Hyundai's. The standard 20-inch wheels might make you think the Pilot skews sportier, too, but it really doesn't. The V6 under the hood makes almost identical power to the Palisade's, and both can tow up to 5,000 pounds. There's no Pilot Hybrid in the immediate future.
If you thought it was a close battle with the Grand Highlander, wait until you see how the Pilot's specs compare to the outgoing Palisade. The 2025 Honda Pilot offers 87 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats folded down and 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row. The outgoing Palisade offers 86.4 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows folded and 18 cubic feet behind the last row. Of course, with its dimensions growing for the 2026 model year, we expect it to beat out the Pilot, but it certainly won't be by much. As is the case with the Toyota, the Honda Pilot and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade are back and forth on second- and third-row space.
2023 Honda Pilot
2023 Honda Pilot Trailsport
2025 Honda Pilot
Final thoughts
Despite the 2026 Hyundai Palisade gaining a substantial sticker price bump, it's clear the three-row SUV remains as competitive as ever in an especially hot market. One can argue that the Toyota Grand Highlander offers a little bit more space, and the Pilot might be a better fit for those looking for off-road thrills as you climb up the trim levels, but the 2026 Hyundai Palisade certainly remains a serious value proposition in the mid-size three-row SUV segment.
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