2026 Hyundai Paliasde vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

When comparing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, we can all agree that both Hyundai SUVs are fantastic vehicles. However, the challenge arrives when it comes down to which SUV is the best for you. On the one hand, some would argue that the Hyundai Palisade is bigger than the Hyundai Santa Fe. On the other hand, some would maintain that Hyudnai Santa Fe takes a more rugged approach than the Hyundai Santa Fe. With this in mind, it all comes down to your lifestyle and budget. For in-depth review of the Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe price, engine specs, features, dimensions, and features take a glance below.

Hyundai Palisade Overview 

 

The new Hyundai Palisade, serving as the flagship model, is Hyundai's largest  SUV ever produced. Initially the Palisade made it's first debut in 2018 at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Since then the new Palisade three-row SUV has been honored with multiple Top Safety Pick Awards and rated as an 83/100 for it's reliability by J.D. Power. In essence of it's popularity, Hyundai sold 110, 055  Palisade SUV in 2024 in the United States.  Today the Hyundai Palisade's popularity continues to grow with it's all new redesign in 2026 that features a naturally aspirated 287 horsepower 3.5-liter engine, comfortable 7-8 passenger seating, and  premium upscale features.

Hyundai Palisade Pros & Cons

Hyundai Palisade Pros

  • Affordable luxury features 
  • Smooth well-composed ride quality 
  • Comfortable well-built and spacious interior
  • 7-8 passenger seating capacity 
  • Power comes from a normally aspirated 291 horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine 
  • Competitive price points 
  • Responsive Advanced Driver Assistance Safety features.

Hyundai Palisade Cons

  • Reduced fuel-economy 

Hyundai Santa Fe Overview

The Santa Fe is an iconic Hyundai SUV. Originally, the Santa Fe was first introduced in 2000. Since then, the Santa Fe has grown from a 2-row five passenger SUV to a three-row seven passenger SUV. Like the Palisade, the Santa Fe has also been honored with multiple Top Pick Awards from multiple prestigious institutions and has a earned a reliability score of 82/100 by J.D. Power.  And for many reasons. The Hyundai Santa Fe features a 277 horsepower 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Turbo engine with 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the new Hyundai Santa Fe can get up to 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined.

Hyundai Santa Fe Pros & Cons

Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Three-row 7-passenger seating capacity
  • Reliable 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Turbo engine 
  • Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display 
  • Generous passenger and cargo volume 
  • Futuristic exterior design
  • Competitive price points 
  • Responsive Advanced Driver Assistance Safety features.

Hyundai Santa Fe Cons

  • Reduced fuel-economy 
  • 3,500 max towing capacity 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior Dimensions 

The Hyundai Palisade is slightly larger than the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of exterior dimensions. Specifically, the Palisade features a 114.2-inch wheelbase, while the Santa Fe has a 110.8-inch wheelbase. The overall length of the Palisade measures 196.1 inches, compared to the Santa Fe's 190.2 inches. In terms of height, the Palisade stands at 68.9 inches, while the Santa Fe reaches 64.8 inches. Regarding width, the Palisade is 77.8 inches wide, while the Santa Fe is narrower at 74.8 inches.

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior Dimensions
  Hyundai Palisade  Hyundai Santa Fe 
 Wheelbase  116.9-inches  110.8-inches 
 Length 199.2-inches  190.2-inches 
 Width 78-inches  74.8-inches 
 Height 69.5-inches 
 40.5-inches 
 Minimum Ground Clearance   7.4-inches  7-inches 
Track in front 67.3-inches  64.8-inches 
Track in rear  67.7-inches  65.1-inches 
 Curb Weight FWD/AWD 4,171 lbs./ 4,872 lbs. 4343 lbs./ 4,486 lbs. 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Dimensions 

When comparing the Hyundai Palisade interior vs Hyundai Santa Fe interior, there are few things to consider. For starters, the new Hyundai Palisade comes standard with 173.3 cubic feet of total interior volume, and the Hyundai Santa Fe offers 166.6 cubic-feet of total interior volume. Next the Hyundai Palisade total passenger volume is 155.3 cubic-feet and the Hyundai Palisade offers 152 cubic-feet of total passenger volume. 

In terms of cargo volume, the Hyundai Palisade offers 86.7 cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the first row, 46.3 cubic-feet behind the second row, and 19.1 cubic-feet behind the third row. The Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, offers 79.6 cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the first row, 40.5 cubic-feet behind the second row, and 14.6 cubic-feet behind the third-row. 

After taking a close look at both vehicles side by side, the new Hyundai Palisade is slightly bigger than the Hyundai Santa Fe. 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Dimensions
  Hyundai Palisade  Hyundai Santa Fe 
 Total Interior  Volume  181 cubic-feet 166.6 cubic-feet 
 Total Passenger Volume  161.9 cubic-feet  152 cubic-feet 
 Cargo Volume Behind First Row  86.7 cubic-feet  79.6 cubic-feet 
 Cargo Volume Behind Second Row  46.3 cubic-feet  40.5 cubic-feet 
 Cargo Volume Behind Third Row  19.1 cubic-feet  14.6 cubic-feet 
 First Row Legroom  44.2-inches  44.4 -inches 
 Second Row Legroom  43-inches  42.3-inches 
 Third Row Legroom  32.1-inches  30.0-inches 
 First Row Hip Room  58.8-inches  56.5-inches 
 Second Row Hip Room  56.7-inches  54.9-inches 
 Third-Row Hip Room  45.3-inches  42.7-inches 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Specs, Horsepower, Torque, Towing

When it comes to performance, the Hyundai Palisade takes the lead. The new Palisade is powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, ensuring it's ready to take on any challenge. In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Fe features a 2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Turbo engine, producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque, offering a balanced mix of power and fuel efficiency. Both vehicles come equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

For towing capacity, the Palisade outperforms with a maximum of 5,000 lbs. when using trailer brakes, and 1,650 lbs. without. Meanwhile, the Santa Fe's towing capacity reaches 3,500 lbs. with trailer brakes and 1,650 lbs. without. 

Regarding fuel efficiency, the front-wheel-drive Hyundai Palisade achieves an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. The front-wheel-drive Hyundai Santa Fe gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive Palisade offers an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.


Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Configurations 
  Hyundai Palisade  Hyundai Santa Fe 
 Engine  3.8-liter V6 engine  2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Turbo
 Horsepower  287 hp @ 6,00 rpm  277 hp @ 5,800 rpm 
 Torque  260 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm  311 lb.-ft. @4,000 rpm 
 Compression Ratio  12.3.1 11.0.1
 Fuel System  Gasoline Direct Injection  Gasoline Direct Injection 
Idle Stop & Go   Standard  Not Available 
 Front-Wheel-Drive  Standard  Standard 
 HTRACA All-Wheel-Drive  Optional Optional 
 8-speed Automatic Transmission  with SHIFTRONIC® StandardNot Available 
 8-speed  Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SHIFTRONIC® Not Available Standard 
 Drive Mode Select  Standard Standard  
 Towing Capacity with trailer brakes  5,000 lbs.  3,500 lbs. 
 Towing Capacity without trailer brakes  1650 lbs.  1,650 lbs. 
 Turning Diameter  38.7 ft.  37.9 ft.
 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Interior Features

  Hyundai Palisade  Hyundai Santa Fe 
 12.3-inch touchscreen display  Standard   Standard 
 12-inch Head-up Display (HUD) (windshield type) Optional  Optional 
 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster  Optional  Optional 
 Harman Kardon® premium audio with 12 speakers and QuantumLogic® Surround with Clari-Fiâ„¢ Music Restoration Technology Optional  Optional 
 Android Autoâ„¢ & Apple CarPlay® Standard Not Available
 Wireless Android Autoâ„¢ & Apple CarPlay®Not Available  Standard 
 Passenger Talk in-car intercomOptional  Not Available 
 Rear Seat Quiet Mode Standard  Standard 
 Dynamic Voice Recognition  Standard  Optional 
 Ambient lighting (64 colors)Optional Not Available 
 Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers Optional  Optional 
 Cloth Seating Surfaces  Standard  Not Available 
 YES Essentials® stain-resistant cloth seats Not Available  Standard 
 H-Tex® trimmed seats Optional  Optional 
 Leather-trimmed seats Optional  Optional 
 Nappa leather seating surfaces Optional  Optional 
 6-way adjustable driver seat Standard  Standard 
 8-way power driver seat Optional  Optional 
 2-way lumbar driver seat Standard  Standard 
 4-way lumbar driver seat Optional  Optional 
 8-way power passenger seat Optional  Not Available 
 Ergo-Motion driver seatsenger seat Optional  Not Available 
 Thigh cushion extension for driver seat Optional  Not Available 
 Driver seat leg cushion extension Not Available  Optional 
 Relaxation Seat Driver w/ 1 touch setting Not Available  Optional 
 Quilted leather door panels
 Optional  Optional 
 Heated front seats Optional  Optional 
 Ventilated front seats Optional  Optional 
 Integrated Memory System (IMS) for driver seat and exterior mirrors Optional  Optional 
 2nd-row split fold-flat seats with recline and adjustable head restraints Optional  Not Available 
 Heated 2nd-row seats Optional  Not Available 
 Ventilated 2nd-row seats Optional  Not Available 
 Sliding 2nd-row seats with electric cargo-area releases Optional  Not Available 
 2nd-row captain's chairs Optional  Optional 
 2nd-row wing-out type headrest Optional  Not Available 
 Leather-wrapped steering wheel Optional  Optional 
 Conventional sunroof Optional  Optional 
 Dual panel sunroof Optional  Not Available 
 Three 1st-row and two 2nd-row USB ports (1x USB power/data & 4x USB-C power) Standard  Not Available 
 Head-up Display (HUD) Optional  Optional 
 Wireless device charging (for Qi-supported devices) Optional  Optional 
 Heated steering wheel Optional  Optional 
 

Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Rating

When it comes to safety, there's no debate-the Hyundai Palisade and Hyundai Santa Fe are both IIHS Top Safety Picks. Since 2006, Hyundai has earned over 120 IIHS Top Safety Awards , with the Palisade and Santa Fe playing a major role in this impressive achievement. In order to achieve this, the new Hyundai Palisade and Hyundai Santa both come standard Hyundai Smart Sense.
  Hyundai Palisade  Hyundai Santa FE 
 Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) Standard Standard 
 Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) Standard  Standard 
 Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian (FCA-Ped), Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection Standard  Standard 
 Lane Following Assist (LFA) Standard  Standard 
 Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) Standard  Standard 
 Driver Attention Warning (DAW)  Standard  Standard 
 Safe Exit Assist (SEA)  Standard  Standard 
 Parking Distance Warning - Reverse Standard  Standard 
 Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) Standard  Standard 
 Highway Driving Assist (HDA) Standard  Standard 
 High Beam Assist (HBA) Standard  Standard 
 Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control Standard  Standard 
 Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes Standard  Standard 
 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control Support (TCS) and Brake Assist (BA) Standard  Standard 
 Occupant Classification System (OCS) seat weight sensor and seat track sensor Standard  Standard 
 Driver and front passenger airbag (2) Standard  Standard 
 Driver knee airbag (1) Standard  Standard 
 Front side (2), 2nd-row (2) rear side, and side curtain (2) airbags Standard  Standard 
 

2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

In short, the Hyundai Palisade and the Hyundai Santa Fe are both great options.  Therefore, it all comes down to your preferences and priorities. On the one hand, if you're looking for a premium upscale three-row SUV with more luxury features, the new Hyundai Palisade is perfect for you. On the other other hand, if you're looking for new three-row SUV with bold, rugged exterior design, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is a fantastic vehicle. Of course, we encourage St. Louis Hyundai SUV drivers to stop by and schedule a test drive.  We're located at  649 Dunn RdHazelwood, MO 63042 . Our doors are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. We are also open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.  

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