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Cars · Top 10

Best Hyundai Palisade Model Years (Ranked) in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
Direct answer

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is the best Palisade model year, with the 2026 Hyundai Palisade second and the 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition third. The ranking is based on real-world merit for someone choosing a Palisade today or on the used market, with the newest redesigned trims leading for capability and tech, the refined 2023 facelift topping the used-market picks, and the rocky 2020 launch year ranking last for reliability complaints.

At a glance

#PickStarting priceBest for
12026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid$43,660 MSRPBuyers who want the newest, most efficient Palisade with the longest range
22026 Hyundai Palisade$38,935 MSRPBuyers who want the all-new second-generation design without paying for a hybrid
32027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition$59,280 FWD / $61,280 AWD (incl. $1,600 destination)Buyers who want the newest, most loaded Palisade trim money can buy
42026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO8.4 in. (1 in. more than standard models)Families who actually go off-road or tow in rough terrain
52023 Hyundai Palisade$34,950 (SE FWD)Used-car shoppers who want the most refined first-generation Palisade
62023 Hyundai Palisade XRT$40,250 FWD / $42,150 AWDUsed buyers who want a tougher look on a proven first-gen Palisade
72024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition$54,935 (incl. destination)Buyers who want the blacked-out, fully-loaded Calligraphy look
82021 Hyundai Palisade CalligraphyBegan arriving at dealers July 2020Used shoppers who want the first premium Calligraphy trim cheap
92021 Hyundai PalisadeNavigation and Highway Drive Assist added to lower trimsBudget used buyers who just want a reasonably-equipped early Palisade
102020 Hyundai Palisade$31,550 (SE FWD)Bargain hunters who just want the cheapest possible Palisade

Pick by what you want

Best overall
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
Best new design without a hybrid
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Best off-road
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO
Best used first-generation
2023 Hyundai Palisade
Best budget used
2020 Hyundai Palisade

The ranking

1

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
Answrs VerdictThe most advanced Palisade ever built
Starting price: $43,660 MSRPCombined horsepower: 329 hp (2.5L turbo I4 + two electric motors)Estimated range: up to 619 miles

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid starts at $43,660 MSRP and makes 329 hp from a 2.5L turbo I4 plus two electric motors. Its estimated range reaches up to 619 miles. It is the most advanced Palisade ever built.

Go ifBuyers who want the newest, most efficient Palisade with the longest range
Skip ifYou want the simplest, lowest-maintenance powertrain
Why #1 over #2: It beats the 2026 Hyundai Palisade with more power and far longer range.
2

2026 Hyundai Palisade

2026 Hyundai Palisade
Answrs VerdictThe full redesign, minus the hybrid premium
Starting price: $38,935 MSRPEngine: 3.5L V6, 287 hp / 260 lb-ftSize increase: 2.5 in. longer overall, 2.7 in. longer wheelbase than prior generation

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade starts at $38,935 MSRP and uses a 3.5L V6 making 287 hp and 260 lb-ft. It grows 2.5 in. longer overall and 2.7 in. longer in wheelbase than the prior generation. It is the full redesign, minus the hybrid premium.

Go ifBuyers who want the all-new second-generation design without paying for a hybrid
Skip ifYou want maximum fuel economy
Why #2 over #3: It beats the 2027 Calligraphy Black Ink Edition on price while still offering the all-new second-generation design.
3

2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition

2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition
Answrs VerdictThe flagship of the flagship, at a flagship price
Starting price: $59,280 FWD / $61,280 AWD (incl. $1,600 destination)On sale: July 2026Powertrain: Exclusively paired with the 2.5L turbo hybrid system

The 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition starts at $59,280 FWD or $61,280 AWD including $1,600 destination, and goes on sale July 2026. It is exclusively paired with the 2.5L turbo hybrid system. It is the flagship of the flagship, at a flagship price.

Go ifBuyers who want the newest, most loaded Palisade trim money can buy
Skip ifYou're budget-conscious — it's the priciest Palisade to date
Why #3 over #4: It beats the 2026 XRT PRO on luxury and hybrid efficiency, though it costs more.
4

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO
Answrs VerdictThe first genuinely off-road-ready Palisade
Ground clearance: 8.4 in. (1 in. more than standard models)Max towing (ICE): 5,000 lbsDifferentiator: Rear electronic limited-slip differential, exclusive to XRT PRO

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO has 8.4 in. of ground clearance, 1 in. more than standard models, and max towing of 5,000 lbs with the ICE engine. A rear electronic limited-slip differential is exclusive to XRT PRO. It is the first genuinely off-road-ready Palisade.

Go ifFamilies who actually go off-road or tow in rough terrain
Skip ifYou only ever drive on pavement
Why #4 over #5: It beats the 2023 Palisade with more ground clearance, towing, and a locking rear differential.
5

2023 Hyundai Palisade

2023 Hyundai Palisade
Answrs VerdictThe best-finished year of the first generation
Starting price: $34,950 (SE FWD)New tech: 12-in. navigation display (720p), Digital Key 2 TouchComfort first: Heated third-row seats — a first for Hyundai

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade starts at $34,950 for SE FWD and adds a 12-in. navigation display at 720p plus Digital Key 2 Touch. It also offers heated third-row seats, a first for Hyundai. It is the best-finished year of the first generation.

Go ifUsed-car shoppers who want the most refined first-generation Palisade
Skip ifYou want the latest second-generation styling
Why #5 over #6: It beats the 2023 XRT with a lower starting price and the same refined first-generation platform.
6

2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT

2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT
Answrs VerdictThe first-gen Palisade's rugged used-market sweet spot
Starting price: $40,250 FWD / $42,150 AWDStyling: Dark-finish grille, rugged 20-in. wheels, skid-plate elements

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT starts at $40,250 FWD or $42,150 AWD and wears a dark-finish grille, rugged 20-in. wheels, and skid-plate elements. It is the first-gen Palisade's rugged used-market sweet spot.

Go ifUsed buyers who want a tougher look on a proven first-gen Palisade
Skip ifYou don't care about rugged styling cues
Why #6 over #7: It beats the 2024 Calligraphy Night Edition by avoiding that model year's engine recall history.
7

2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition

2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition
Answrs VerdictLoaded and striking, but not the strongest 2024 reliability case
Starting price: $54,935 (incl. destination)Drivetrain: Standard HTRAC AWDInterior: Exclusive dark micro-suede seating, replacing Nappa leather

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition starts at $54,935 including destination and comes standard with HTRAC AWD. It has exclusive dark micro-suede seating replacing Nappa leather. It is loaded and striking, but not the strongest 2024 reliability case.

Go ifBuyers who want the blacked-out, fully-loaded Calligraphy look
Skip ifYou're wary of the 2024 model year's engine recall history
Why #7 over #8: It beats the 2021 Calligraphy with standard AWD and a newer model year.
8

2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy

2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Answrs VerdictA loaded early Palisade, with early-Palisade risks
Release: Began arriving at dealers July 2020Mechanical: HTRAC AWD with AWD Lock, Downhill Brake Control, Snow ModeInterior: Quilted-leather door panels, microfiber-suede headliner

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy began arriving at dealers in July 2020 and pairs HTRAC AWD with AWD Lock, Downhill Brake Control, and Snow Mode. It has quilted-leather door panels and a microfiber-suede headliner. It is a loaded early Palisade, with early-Palisade risks.

Go ifUsed shoppers who want the first premium Calligraphy trim cheap
Skip ifYou want to avoid early-generation electrical/transmission complaints
Why #8 over #9: It beats the 2021 Palisade with premium Calligraphy trim and more standard equipment.
9

2021 Hyundai Palisade

2021 Hyundai Palisade
Answrs VerdictBetter equipped than 2020, still an early-build Palisade
Content update: Navigation and Highway Drive Assist added to lower trimsRelease: Arrived at dealers July 2020

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade arrived at dealers in July 2020 and added navigation and Highway Drive Assist to lower trims. It is better equipped than 2020, still an early-build Palisade.

Go ifBudget used buyers who just want a reasonably-equipped early Palisade
Skip ifYou want the fewest possible owner complaints
Why #9 over #10: It beats the 2020 Palisade with more standard tech on lower trims.
10

2020 Hyundai Palisade

2020 Hyundai Palisade
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest Palisade, and the riskiest one
Starting price: $31,550 (SE FWD)Engine: 3.8L V6 GDI with 8-speed automatic, all trimsSeating: Up to eight passengers

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade starts at $31,550 for SE FWD and uses a 3.8L V6 GDI with an 8-speed automatic on all trims. It seats up to eight passengers. It is the cheapest Palisade, and the riskiest one.

Go ifBargain hunters who just want the cheapest possible Palisade
Skip ifReliability matters — it's the launch year with the most reported issues

How we ranked these

The order reflects real-world merit for someone choosing a Palisade today or on the used market. The newest redesigned trims lead for capability and tech, the refined 2023 facelift tops the used-market picks, and the rocky 2020 launch year ranks last for reliability complaints. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest Hyundai Palisade model year?

The original 2020 Palisade SE FWD started at $31,550, the lowest starting price of any Palisade model year.

What is the best year for a used Hyundai Palisade?

The refreshed 2023 Palisade is the strongest used buy — it added a 12-inch navigation display, Digital Key 2 Touch, and Hyundai's first heated third-row seats.

Does the Hyundai Palisade come as a hybrid?

Yes — Hyundai introduced its first Palisade Hybrid for the 2026 model year, combining a 2.5L turbo four-cylinder with two electric motors for an estimated 329 horsepower and up to 619 miles of range.

Starting price (USD) at a glance

2020 Hyundai Palisade$31,550
2023 Hyundai Palisade$34,950
2026 Hyundai Palisade$38,935
2023 Hyundai Palisade XRT$40,250
2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid$43,660
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition$54,935
2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink Edition$59,280
Starting price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.