A 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Owner Is 'VERY Impressed' After 175 Miles, Claiming His Son's Genesis GV70 Offers Nothing Substantial More and Costs Significantly More

The automotive landscape is shifting, and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy appears to be making a strong first impression on new owners, blending luxury with advanced hybrid technology. One recent buyer, a self-proclaimed bass player, shared his initial thoughts after just 175 miles with his Ecotronic Gray model, showing a suite of features that both delight and, in some instances, perplex. His detailed account offers a candid look at what it’s like to live with Hyundai’s latest three-row hybrid SUV, providing valuable insights for prospective buyers navigating a crowded segment.

"These are just my first impressions of my new 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy in Ecotronic Gray with the (very light) gray/navy interior. This is after a mere 175 miles:

The ride is extremely comfortable, both in the city and on the highway. You pretty much don’t notice the car changing between electric mode, hybrid mode, and engine mode. It’s stunning technology, and it’s really dialed in. The seats are very comfortable, and the Napa leather is worth the price of admission. There is a surprising amount of get-up-and-go for a four-cylinder car, turbo-charging notwithstanding, as heavy as this car is. No issues getting on the highway or passing. The “precision” lane assist is the best I’ve driven with, and something I welcome for my late-night driving getting back from gigs (I’m a bass player in a cover band). The seat heaters and ventilators do their jobs admirably, as does the steering wheel heater (I was surprised how much I liked this here in the northeast). The Digital Key 2 is flawless, allowing me to unlock, drive, and lock the car, as well as deal with the climate controls. I don’t see myself taking the key fob, but it sure is a nice backup. 

The space in the vehicle is nice all around, although with child car seats in the second row captain’s chairs, it’s more limited than I thought it would be (child car seats are freaking huge). The Bose sound system is great, and the operation of the infotainment system is very straightforward and user-friendly. The HUD is awesome, with its Spartan display that doesn’t get in the way or distract me at all. The doors unlock and lock easily, although I’d like the true walk-away locking I was used to on my Acura RDX A-spec (no reason they couldn’t have done it, as they use proximity switching with the key fob for other features). I would have liked to see a bigger glove box, and the UV-C sterilization isn’t something I’d ever use. I like the auto-folding mirrors. 

I do not like the lack of a spare tire, nor are the existing ones run-flat ones, so if you get a flat, you’re going to be towed, in all likelihood. Auto-high beams work great, and the headlights are bright enough without being dangerously annoying, like my RDX ones were. Storage space in the back is great with the third row down, but quite limited with it up (and you can’t use your cargo net with the third row up). I would have liked more storage where the tire inflator kit is in the back. My Acura destroyed the Hyundai in this area. I wish Hyundai had had padded armrests on the door for the third row as well, matching what was done in the second row. 

The interior colored lighting is done tastefully and looks great at night. The camera system is stellar, and I LOVE having the dash cams. And I love how it runs on regular gas. Cruising range is about 535 miles for the AWD. While I prefer using CarPlay, the built-in nav system works great and is easy to use. 

We have some dead spots in cell coverage in our area, and it’s nice to have the in-car system to use when we need it. And while it might be a personal thing, I freaking LOVE the two-tone gray/navy interior. I know it’s going to be difficult to keep it clean, but I’ll give it my best shot. To me, it looks very elevated, very refined.

There’s probably more on my mind, but it’s a lot already, so I’ll stop with this one last thing. Thanks to everyone who recommended Burlington Hyundai for the Hyundai Protection Plan. This was important to me because of all of the tech (much of it new) in this car, which wouldn’t be covered at all after the first five years. My dealer quoted $3105 for the plan (10-year / 120,000 miles), and I got it for $1898 from Burlington. That’s a huge savings, so thank you, Redditors.

All in all, I almost can’t believe how nice this car is. My son has a Genesis GV70 that he paid a lot more for, and it doesn’t have anything substantial that the Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy doesn’t have, and it's missing some features that my car has. (Note: he’s going to be selling his Genesis and getting what I have, in White). Overall, my first impression of this car is that I’m VERY impressed."

The owner, QAPetePrime, expressed significant satisfaction with the Palisade Hybrid's powertrain integration, noting the seamless transitions between electric, hybrid, and engine modes. This "stunning technology" suggests Hyundai has invested heavily in refining the hybrid experience, a critical factor for mainstream adoption. The comfort of the Nappa leather seats and the surprising acceleration from the turbocharged four-cylinder also received high praise, challenging the perception that larger hybrid SUVs must sacrifice performance or luxury.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid: First Impressions and Key Features

• The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy features a "dialed-in" hybrid system, offering seamless transitions between electric, hybrid, and engine modes. This advanced powertrain contributes to a comfortable ride quality in both city and highway driving conditions.
• Owners report surprising acceleration from the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, providing ample power for highway merging and passing maneuvers. The vehicle achieves an estimated cruising range of 535 miles for the AWD variant, utilizing regular gasoline.
• Standard features on the Calligraphy trim include Nappa leather seating, a Bose sound system, and a Head-Up Display (HUD) with a Spartan, non-distracting interface. The Digital Key 2 system allows for keyless vehicle operation, including unlocking, driving, and climate control adjustments.
• Critical feedback includes the absence of a spare tire and run-flat tires, necessitating a tow in case of a flat. Additionally, the power-folding second and third-row seats lack sensors to detect occupants, posing a potential safety hazard during operation.

However, not all aspects of the Palisade earned universal acclaim. The lack of a spare tire, coupled with the absence of run-flat tires, emerged as a significant concern, forcing owners to rely on roadside assistance in the event of a flat. This decision, increasingly common across the industry, prioritizes cargo space and weight reduction over practical, real-world utility, a trade-off many drivers find unacceptable.

One commenter, rocketft, echoed this sentiment, stating: "I’ll second your disdain for the storage in the rear under the floor boards. The battery and tire repair kit take up most of the room, leaving only enough space for a few small items (we have a toe strap, emergency diapers/wipes, and a few tie-down straps. With them nixing the spare tire, I wish they would have used the space it would be in for more storage. Looking under the car, there’s just a big void where it would go. I haven’t looked super close at it, but I think they could have made the underfloor storage a lot bigger by expanding into that shape. But I’m sure they’d lose even more commonality with the non-hybrid models, so that’s probably why they didn’t do it."

This critique hits at a fundamental design flaw that Hyundai, and indeed many manufacturers, seem to overlook. The void where a spare tire should be, yet isn't utilized for additional storage, represents a missed opportunity for practical engineering. It’s a baffling decision that suggests a disconnect between design teams and the actual needs of families who rely on these vehicles for long trips and daily hauling. While commonality with non-hybrid models might be a factor, sacrificing utility for manufacturing convenience is a poor excuse when competitors manage to offer both.

Beyond the spare tire issue, another critical safety concern was raised regarding the power-folding second and third-row seats. Commenter iThinkTherefore_iApe warned: "Looks great! PSA - Be wary of second row chairs and third row folding with people in them. There are no sensors to detect people and prevent the motors from activating, and multiple people have damaged personal belongings (hopefully, no people were injured yet). It appears that if the seatbelt is fastened, it won’t allow them to fold, but this is a major safety issue and should be made aware of."

This lack of sensor integration for power-folding seats is not merely an inconvenience; it's a glaring oversight that borders on negligence. In an era where vehicles are equipped with sophisticated proximity sensors for everything from parking to collision avoidance, the absence of a simple pressure sensor to prevent injury or damage during seat operation is inexcusable. This is a basic safety expectation for any family vehicle, and Hyundai's failure to implement such a system in a premium Calligraphy trim suggests a concerning prioritization of features over fundamental occupant protection.

Despite these criticisms, the owner's overall impression remained overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the value proposition. He noted that his son's Genesis GV70, a more expensive luxury SUV from Hyundai's premium brand, lacked several features present in the Palisade Hybrid, leading the son to consider trading his Genesis for the new Palisade. This anecdote powerfully reveals Hyundai's ability to pack high-end features and sophisticated technology into a more accessible package, blurring the lines between mainstream and luxury segments.

The owner also praised the "precision" lane assist, Digital Key 2, and the integrated dash cams, showing Hyundai's commitment to advanced driver-assistance systems and convenience features. The 535-mile cruising range on regular gasoline for the AWD model is another compelling attribute, offering significant practicality for long-distance travel without the premium fuel requirement often associated with performance or luxury vehicles.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy appears to be a compelling package that delivers on many fronts, from its refined hybrid powertrain to its luxurious interior appointments. However, the glaring omissions of a spare tire and critical safety sensors for its power-folding seats are significant drawbacks that Hyundai must address. These are not minor quibbles but fundamental aspects of vehicle ownership and safety that can severely impact the user experience and, more importantly, passenger well-being.

Image Sources: Hyundai Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.