In a world where it seems a hundred new SUVs are released every year, it’s quite a feat to be named the NACTOY Utility Vehicle of the Year. But that’s exactly what the 2026 Hyundai Palisade just accomplished when the winners were announced in January — beating out a bevy of strong contenders.

So what’s so special about the 2026 Palisade to cause such a commotion?

I recently tested a 2026 Hyundai Palisade (an XRT Pro model), and I’m back with a report on this fully redesigned three-row SUV option. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Palisade and how it compares across the segment.