Review of My 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
I recently purchased a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, and after spending time with it, I can confidently say it was the right choice for my family in many ways.
The first thing that stood out to me was how smooth and quiet it is. Around town, the hybrid system makes a noticeable difference. It feels refined and effortless in traffic, and the transition between electric and gas power is seamless. On the highway, it has plenty of power for merging and passing, and the ride is extremely comfortable.
Fuel efficiency has been a big win. For a three-row SUV of this size, the mileage is impressive. I wanted something spacious without sacrificing efficiency, and this delivers exactly that.
The interior feels upscale and thoughtfully designed. The materials are high quality, the seats are very comfortable, and there is plenty of room in all three rows. Even the third row is usable, which was important for us. The cabin is also very quiet, especially at lower speeds when running on electric power.
Technology is another highlight. The large screens are clear and responsive, Apple CarPlay works seamlessly, and the safety features give me peace of mind. Adaptive cruise control and lane assist make longer drives much less tiring.
However, there is one major issue that has significantly changed my feelings about this purchase.
I am an avid biker, and my friend Bob is, too. Bob purchased a Kia Telluride and warned me that when he installed a bike rack on the hitch, he had to add lights and connect them to power in order for the vehicle to move forward and backward properly. His vehicle was detecting the rack as a trailer.
When I went to test-drive the Palisade, I specifically asked the sales representative whether I would have any issues installing a bike rack on the hitch. I was clearly told, "No, you will not have any issues." I relied on that information when making my purchase decision.
Unfortunately, that was not accurate.
Once I installed my bike rack, I ran into the exact problem my friend described. First, I had to attach lights and connect them to the power in the hitch area. Second, many of my safety features were automatically turned off because the vehicle assumes I am towing a trailer rather than carrying a bike rack.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to bring the vehicle in for another issue, and I spoke with my service contact. He told me he was aware of this problem and that the sales representative should have asked more detailed questions before giving me that answer.
If I had known this beforehand, I would not have purchased this vehicle.
I was told that Hyundai is working on a fix, but at this time, there is no solution available. I truly hope this gets resolved sooner rather than later.
Buyers should be aware that if they plan to use a hitch-mounted bike rack, they may face the same issues I am currently dealing with. Make sure you get very specific answers before purchasing.
Overall, the Palisade Hybrid is comfortable, efficient, and well-equipped. But this issue has been extremely frustrating, and potential buyers should know it before making a decision.
If you would like, I can also create a shorter version tailored specifically for Google Reviews or a more strongly worded version, depending on how direct you want to be.
Verified Owner
