2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade underwent significant design changes while maintaining its recognizable identity. It featured a more upright and squared-off profile, with a bold front lighting design that included rectangular slashes flanking a massive grille. This gave the Palisade a distinctive and assertive appearance. Inside, Hyundai softened the interior with flowing shapes and simple lines reminiscent of Midcentury Modern furniture. The interior was refined and relaxing, with an oval-shaped theme extending throughout the cabin. The top-spec Calligraphy model boasted high-quality materials and texture variance, while the off-road-oriented XRT Pro model also featured durable materials. The 2026 Palisade was slightly longer and had a stretched wheelbase, offering seating for seven or eight passengers.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer received a refresh four years into its lifecycle, retaining its upright stance, low beltline, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S, gave it a fresh and modern feel. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks for increased utility without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a clean design with strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, making them suitable for various drivers. The cabin's trim and materials were premium, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather and a suede headliner. The overall fit and finish were rated highly, with solid-feeling components throughout.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Although slightly less powerful than the previous 3.8-liter V6, it remained competitive against rivals like the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Explorer. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the ride was comfortable yet controlled. The Palisade's suspension offered good isolation from road imperfections, and the brakes were upgraded for shorter stopping distances. With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Palisade was versatile for various recreational activities. The HTRAC AWD system provided power distribution flexibility, and the XRT Pro model enhanced off-road capabilities with features like all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance. A hybrid powertrain was also announced, promising a total system output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered ample performance. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and absorbed road imperfections well. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the vehicle offered a quiet cabin experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious interior with flexible seating configurations. Our test car featured captain's chairs in the middle row, providing comfort and roominess. While accessing the third row required some maneuvering, the seats were suitable for occasional adult use. Passengers had access to USB-C charging ports, cupholders, and air vents throughout the cabin. The climate-control system was upgraded to match the interior's increased size. The Palisade allowed owners to prioritize passenger or cargo space with sliding second- and third-row seats. Heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims, and the Calligraphy model offered Relaxation Mode for added comfort. Cargo space was ample, with a maximum of 86.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows with generous leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers comfortably. The third row was surprisingly accommodating for three people of small to average stature. While using the third row reduced cargo space, there were still 27.9 cubic feet available. For those needing more space, the long-wheelbase version nearly doubled the cargo capacity. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. It featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats. The Upland model included off-road features like Quadra-Lift air suspension and skid plates.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered advanced technology features, with most models equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was centered around a 12.3-inch touchscreen, providing onboard navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Calligraphy model included a 12-inch head-up display for added convenience. Higher trims featured a Surround View Monitor camera system and integrated front and rear dashcams. An in-car intercom and Rear Seat Quiet Mode enhanced communication during road trips. The Palisade also introduced a UV-light cleaning system for added hygiene. The Bose audio system delivered excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a range of tech features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. It also offered a wireless phone charger, hands-free power liftgate, and three-zone automatic climate controls. Higher trims included a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, and a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system. While the tech generally performed well, the wireless phone charger had issues with overheating. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features like lane keep assist, driver attention monitoring, and parking sensors were standard. The Calligraphy model added evasive steering assist and an upgraded Highway Driving Assist II system. While safety ratings were not available at press time, the previous Palisade performed well in safety tests.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included intersection-collision assist, parking sensors, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from safety organizations, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA.