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3-Row Hybrid Battle: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid v 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

Auto Buyers Guide | Alex on Autos

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Oddly, there aren't many hybrid 3-row RUVs in America, especially roomy models. It's a segment Toyota had all to itself with the Highlander for decades, but now we have two big options in the 2026 Grand Highlander and the 2026 Palisade / Telluride. Toyota offers two hybrid options, one focused on efficiency and the other on performance, while the next-gen Hyundai hybrid splits the difference. So which one's best? Let's find out!

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20 Comments

@AAutoBuyersGuide Creator 6 months ago Pinned

Regarding the power seat recall. There are a few more details out, but plenty of unanswered questions still. The child was not in a child seat; she was roaming around the vehicle freely with a sibling who was apparently older. There was an adult in the vehicle, and it was parked. The accident occurred in the third row, not the second row and it is unclear who accidentally activated the power seat mechanism. The design of the power 3rd row is basically the same as any power 3rd row on sale in the USA right now. No manufacturer uses a camera, ultrasonic, or pressure-based occupancy sensor to disable a power folding mechanism if it is occupied; they are all designed to reverse if there's a large enough obstacle in the way, but it's unclear how that impacted this situation. If this is of concern to you and your family, I would suggest avoiding all power 3rd row equipped vehicles, but also: keep a close eye on children as no vehicle is a safe place for young children to be and not be fully monitored.

@manuelwilson9214 4 months ago

I purchased a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid AWD on May 13, 2026. Your review assisted me in make my final decision. Thanks....

@igopr715 5 months ago

What bothers me in almost all 3-row SUVs these days is that you can't get a top trim model with a 2nd row bench seat (with a very few exceptions). That was the reason I didn't buy the Calligraphy model of the Santa Fe, got a Limited instead.

@edkronholm9054 4 months ago

We are a Toyota family who keep their cars for the long term. The wife has a 2021 Lexus 350 RX and my ride is a 2018 Toyota Avalon. But when our daughter's Hyundai 2015 Santa Fe (a family hand me down from the wife) was totaled despite only minor damage in a collision, her growing family needed a three row SUV. We cross shopped them all (except for American brands who can't seem to build anything but unreliable expensive cars.) We drove the Pilot, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Subaru Outback, Toyota Grand Hylander Hybrid Max, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade, Here's our veridict. The Pilot feels dated, does not have a hybrid offering and it's V6 uses cylinder deactivation, a process I am not fond of for the long term. The Subaru Forester is a good value, but NO ONE likes that massive center entertainment push button screen AT ALL. (How many sales has Subaru lost over that?) The new Subaru Outback was impressive, but lacks a hybrid offering. (Our son has a 2015 Subbie Outback and it has been a great car for him). The Grand Hylander Hybrid Max was "OK" ... but they are scarce and in demand. And the dealer would not take a nickel off the MSRP. The Kia Telluride Hybrid and the Hyundai Palisade were essentially a toss up, but we ended up with the Palisade SEL Premium Hybrid AWD ( the best value oriented trim IMHO... NO POWERED REAR SEATS, only one sunroof, but still heated/ventilated front and rear seats, folding mirrors and heated steering wheel and 18 in wheels for better MPGs) ... we live in snow country. The Palisade simply felt more upscale and refined than the Telluride, it seemed to ride quieter and has more BUTTON controls for the radio and climate control system than the Telluride did. The 2026 Palisade also added extra rear seat airbags, rear door reinforcement, and new side impact structures... features VERY important to a young mother with kids in the back. That' something I do not believe the Telluride did in 2026 0r 2027. Plus Best of all, the dealer was ready to deal and we got 5% off the MSRP... Now... the car is not without it's flaws... it comes with a 4cyl 2.5L TURBO gas engine backing up the hybrid set up. The long term reliability of that engine/hybrid combination is not proven as yet. But Hyundai comes with a Ten Year/100,000 mile drivetrain warranty, the best in the industry. I plan to mitigate the potential Turbo wear and tear (and breakdown) by changing the oil/filter every 3,000 miles as many experienced Turbo mechanics recommend. She's only driven it 600 miles in in-town taking her kids to and from school and for grocery runs. Running mostly in "sport" vs. "eco" mode she still is getting 29-30 MPG. She loves the car so far and once broken in or tested in a long run highway cruise, we expect the MPGs will be even better. All things considered, we feel we made the best choice... but your mileage/experience may differ.

@blackwhite-rw5jw 5 months ago

Beautiful review. Couldnt find such details in any other review so far. Well done Sir.

@alexandreniamien5525 6 months ago (edited)

Telluride is next ! Just got here to watch again an excellent video and already excited!!

@bfish9700 6 months ago

I would go palisade, but honestly I've been very happy with the smaller Santa fe.

@tastyorange 6 months ago

One thing I like about the Hyundais is that the seat cushions are more comfortable for long legs. They come closer to the underside of your knees, unlike most Japanese cars where half your legs are hanging off!