Hyundai opens a new factory in Brian County, Georgia
Hyundai has opened a new electric vehicle assembly plant in Brian County, which is expected to generate millions of vehicles a year and create more than 8,000 jobs by 2030. FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Tyler Fingert is ready to go on to the latest news on the grand opening.
Fox-5 Atlanta
- The hybrid version is coming in late 2025.
- It comes with either front or all-wheel drive, and gasoline models are currently available at the dealership.
Hyundai’s flagship SUV will be bigger and better in 2026, adding a set of thoughtful features and its first model with meaningful off-road capacity.
The Palisade is a seven- or eight-seat SUV that competes with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Rubbers, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
It comes with front or all-wheel drive. The gasoline model is currently at the dealership, with the hybrid coming later this year.
The Palisade costs from $38,935 for the front drive model. The new XRT Pro model, which includes AWD and all-terrain tires, starts at $49,370.
The Palisade Hybrid will arrive later this year. That price starts at $43,660. All prices exclude the $1,495 destination charge.
The ’26 Palisade is heavier than last year’s model, but it won’t offer any more power until the hybrid is on sale.
2026 Hyundai Palisade chose trim level and price
Palisade se fwd, $38,935
Palisade this AWD, $43,440
Palisee Xrt Pro AWD, $49,370
Palisade Calligraphy AWD, $56,060
Palisade Hybrid Blue Sel FWD, $43,660
Palisade Hybrid Sel AWD, $45,660
Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD, $58,280
Source: Edmunds. Price excludes placement fees of $1,495
what’s new? What’s good?
2026 Palisade is based on a new architecture that it shares with Hyundai’s medium-sized Santa Fe SUV. This is significantly larger than previous models, with longer wheelbase and shorter front overhangs.
The wheelbase has grown 2.7 inches. The total length has been increased by 2.5. Height and width have been increased by 0.2 inches and 0.6 inches, respectively.
Palisade remains shorter than its major competitors, including the Chevrolet Rubbers, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander. However, it leads a group of passenger spaces. The cargo compartment behind the third row seat in the center of the pack.
Palisade profiles can be recognized from previous generations. New touches include geometric fender flares and vertical DRL and taillights.
The outdoor XRT Pro model is new and adds functionality to the trim package on the XRT. Functional changes include electronically restricted slip differentials, all-terrain tires, and corrections to the anterior and posterior fascia to improve approach and departure angles.
The XRT Pro has four chassis-mounted recovery hooks.
2026 Important Features of Hyundai Palisade
Seat 7 or 8
Lighted 2nd row seat belt receiver
D-pillar grab handle
UV-C sterilizer for devices
Adjustable power supply seating in the second and third rows
Factory Install Dash Camera with 4 Days Memory
100W USB-C charging port
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Nappa leather seats
14 speakers Bose audio
XRT Pro’s electronic-only slip differential
XRT Pro All Terrain Tires
Drive impressions
The Palisade is wide and quiet on the road. The power is appropriate, but not a selling point.
The ride was smooth.
The XRT pro I drove scrambled the steep slopes of loose clay and negotiated a series of bumps and depressions that frequently hung one wheel on one side without excessive drama.
That suspension impacts the surface, but I do not advise the raw rocks. The steep hills, ruts and low operating surfaces were easy to operate.
The 3.5L V6 produces the same 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that last year’s 3.8L V6 did with the smaller Palisades in 2025. The engine is linked to a smooth, 8-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid will be a premium drivetrain with 329 hp and 339 pound-feet of torque.
Interior and Feel
The interior is spacious and trimmed with materials that allow you to see the more expensive vehicle homes of the Ritzier brand.
The armrests, doors, dashes – the spots you most likely to see and touch – were wrapped in soft, attractive materials.
Controls include traditional switches and dials for key climate and audio features. The touchscreen is big, clear and reasonably responsive.
The XRT was embossed on the headrest, and the jug line on the seatback recalls Mountain Vista.
Front and rear video cameras are useful for parking and trails. However, the view is turned off around 4 mph. There is a fine in the parking lot, but it is not really convenient when off-roaded.
What’s good?
Accelerating gasoline-only palisades is appropriate, but they have no strengths. Commuters with frequent routes can either want more ramp vitality or wait for reviews of the hybrid that arrived later this year.
The XRT Pro offers more off-road capabilities than the previous Palisade SRT, but it’s a low bar to clear. That trail view camera shuts off at very slow speeds and I was often looking for a forward view that was no longer available on short off-road routes.
Why buy the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a spacious and elegant three-row SUV. It packs many passenger spaces into easy-to-park footprints. It can be seen inside and outside.
Other automakers expect to scramble to unique features such as third row seats on the power slide, second row seatbelt receivers with lights, and factory-installed dash cams with memory.
2026 Hyundai Palisade at a glance
Front or all-wheel drive full-size SUV
Seats 7-8
Base price: $38,935. All prices exclude the $1,495 destination charge.
Now on sale
Model Test: Palisade XRT Pro AWD
As tested price: $49,370
Power: 3.5L V6
Output: 287 HP @ 6,400 rpm; 260 pound-feet of torque @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Manufacturer’s estimated fuel economy: AWD 18 mpg City/24 Highway/20 combination. Regular gasoline
Wheelbase: 116.9 inches
Length: 199.4 inches
Width: 78.0 inches with mirror
Height: 69.5 inches
Passenger volume: 161.9 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 19.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat, 46.3 behind the second row, 86.7 behind the front seat.
Curb weight: 4,872 lbs (EST.)
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
It was assembled in Urusan, Korea
Please contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Please read more Auto And sign up for us Automotive Newsletter. Become a subscriber.
