Car and Driver does not hand out its 10Best Trucks and SUVs awards lightly. The list stays short by design. Vehicles earn a place only after surviving instrumented testing, road evaluation, and value scrutiny. For 2026, the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid made the cut in its first year on sale.
That matters. Award debuts rarely happen in the large three-row SUV segment. This class usually rewards familiarity, not reinvention. Hyundai broke that pattern by addressing a weakness the segment ignored for years: fuel efficiency without sacrifice.
Why the 10Best Award Matters in This Segment
The 10Best Trucks and SUVs award reflects balance. Editors test ride quality, acceleration, braking, interior usability, and cost. Vehicles that excel in one area but fail elsewhere do not qualify.
Large SUVs struggle here. They often deliver space and power but fail on efficiency and refinement. Hybrids in this segment usually compromise towing or performance. The Palisade Hybrid avoided those traps.
Car and Driver praised the vehicle for pairing a strong powertrain with a usable interior. That combination explains the award placement.
What the Palisade Hybrid Does Differently
Hyundai did not bolt a battery onto an existing setup. The company built a new hybrid system tuned for size and load.
The powertrain combines:
- 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Two electric motors
- Combined output of 329 horsepower
- 339 pound-feet of torque
That output matches or exceeds many gas-only rivals. More important, torque arrives early. The Palisade Hybrid moves confidently with passengers onboard.
Fuel efficiency stands out. Highway estimates reach 35 mpg in front-wheel-drive form. Hyundai targets a 619-mile driving range. Those numbers reduce refueling stops during long trips. Editors notice that.
Award Criteria: How the Palisade Hybrid Fits
Car and Driver evaluates vehicles against direct competitors, not ideals. The Palisade Hybrid earned points across several tested areas.
Ride and Handling
The suspension favors control over softness. Body motions stay measured. Steering feels predictable, not light. Large SUVs often feel vague. This one does not.
Interior Execution
The Palisade Hybrid delivers real third-row space. Adults fit. Cargo room remains usable with seats up. Controls rely on physical switches for core functions. Editors prefer that approach.
Technology Integration
Technology supports daily driving. It does not overwhelm.
Key features include:
- Built-in dual-camera dash cam
- Digital Key phone access
- 100-watt USB-C ports in all rows
- Over-the-air software updates
These systems work quietly. They support ownership rather than distract from it.
Safety Coverage
Ten airbags come standard. Third-row seatbelt pre-tensioners address an overlooked area. Driver assistance systems operate conservatively. That behavior matters in real traffic.
Competitive Context: Why Hyundai Beat Its Rivals
The three-row hybrid SUV field remains thin. Some competitors chase power. Others chase fuel economy. Few deliver both.
The table below shows how the Palisade Hybrid compares with similar award-eligible vehicles.
| Model | Power Output | Highway MPG | Max Towing | Approx. Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid | 329 hp | 35 mpg | 4,000 lbs | ~$50,000 |
| Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX | 362 hp | 27 mpg | 5,000 lbs | ~$55,000 |
| Ford Explorer Hybrid | 318 hp | 29 mpg | 5,000 lbs | ~$52,000 |
| Mazda CX-90 PHEV | 323 hp | 26 mpg | 3,500 lbs | ~$54,000 |
Hyundai does not lead every category. It leads where balance counts. Editors reward that consistency.
Why This Award Signals a Market Shift
The 10Best win reflects more than product quality. It shows changing priorities. Buyers still want space. They also want lower operating costs. Gas-only SUVs no longer meet that demand. Full electric models still face infrastructure and range concerns. Hybrids fill the gap.
Hyundai recognized that earlier than most competitors in this size class. The Palisade Hybrid arrives as fuel prices fluctuate and buyers scrutinize efficiency. Timing helped. Execution sealed the award.
Areas Where the Palisade Hybrid Falls Short
The award does not mean perfection. The Palisade Hybrid carries extra weight. Handling remains secure but never athletic. All-wheel-drive models lose some efficiency. Interior screens still collect fingerprints.
Car and Driver values honesty in design. The Palisade Hybrid succeeds because its trade-offs stay reasonable.
What the 10Best Win Means for Buyers
Awards influence resale value. They also influence trust. A 10Best Trucks and SUVs badge tells buyers that professionals tested this vehicle against peers and found few weaknesses.
For families shopping in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, that signal matters. The Palisade Hybrid stands out as a rational choice, not an emotional one.
Final Take
The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid did not win because it feels exciting. It won because it works.
Car and Driver rewarded a vehicle that balances power, efficiency, space, and price. That balance remains rare in large SUVs. Hyundai delivered it at the right moment.
The award confirms what the market already suggested. Large SUVs no longer get a pass on efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid proves that progress does not require compromise.
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