2026 Hyundai Palisade vs. 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Could it be possible for the Palisade to be even more grand than the Grand Highlander? We're here to prove that point. Uncover the 3-row SUV that your family needs with the features they want in this extensive comparison between the new 2026 Hyundai Palisade and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander. Great Lakes Hyundai of Columbus is your friendly Hyundai dealership near you for new family-friendly vehicles you can count on.

Do you need an SUV with a lot of space? More power? High-tech safety? That's likely why you're looking into these two popular 3-row SUVs, but only one of them is capable of fitting the bill all in one go. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is designed for every type of family, from the off-road XRT trim to class-leading cargo space. Ask your friendly Hyundai dealer in Columbus for the full tour. What does the Toyota Grand Highlander have to offer? Much less than that, basically. Plus, the all-new Palisade's $39,435 starting-at MSRP undercuts the Grand Highlander's starting price by just over $1,900.

Lugging around 8 passengers and a bit of cargo is going to take some work. Make sure your SUV is up to snuff with an engine that can handle it all. The new 2026 Hyundai Palisade in Columbus comes with a 3.5L V6 that can push 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed auto is equipped to guarantee smooth sailing wherever you plan on going. With the available AWD system paired with Tow Mode, your Palisade can tow as much as 5,000 pounds. The main attraction, though, is the Palisade XRT PRO trim that makes its big debut for 2026:

- Electronic rear limited-slip differential (eLSD)
- HTRAC AWD
- 8.4 inches of ground clearance
- All-terrain tires
- OEM tow hitch
- Canyon Red recovery hooks

With a V6 on your side, you have nothing to worry about when driving the Palisade. You don't get that with the Grand Highlander. Even the newest 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is still sporting a much smaller 2.4L I-4 turbo. Without that boost of V6, this SUV can only generate 265 horsepower. You'll still be able to tow about 5,000 pounds, but it'll prove more difficult without tailored features like everything that comes with the brand-new Palisade XRT PRO model.

With a V6 on your side, you have nothing to worry about when driving the Palisade. You don't get that with the Grand Highlander. Even the newest 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is still sporting a much smaller 2.4L I-4 turbo. Without that boost of V6, this SUV can only generate 265 horsepower. You'll still be able to tow about 5,000 pounds, but it'll prove more difficult without tailored features like everything that comes with the brand-new Palisade XRT PRO model. Safety features are one area that no automaker can afford to take shortcuts on. It's a critical aspect of every car, not to mention 3-row SUVs. That's why you can get some of the most advanced driver-assist tech in the newest 2026 Hyundai Palisade in Westerville. Some noteworthy upgrades include the available Full-Display Digital Rearview Mirror, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Advanced Rear Occupant Alert, and so many other nifty features and gadgets that wrap your family in a tight safety blanket. A fan-favorite in the Palisade this year is the built-in dual-camera Dash Cam. New for 2026, this front and rear-facing dash cam can record footage in the cabin and outside the vehicle if the sensors detect movement while parked. Finally, you'll have proof for the damages that might happen while you're having dinner at a restaurant or out shopping at your local mall.

Did you know that Toyota is moving on to Toyota Safety Sense 4.0? Well, you won't be seeing it in the 2026 Grand Highlander. This might be the brand's newest iteration of its flagship 3-row SUV, but it's still running on Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, so you won't even be getting the most advanced version of this package. Your available add-ons are pretty much the same as last year, too.

The new 2026 Hyundai Palisade in Gahanna starts off strong with best-in-class interior space and 86.7 cubic feet of max cargo. Add the hands-free smart liftgate with auto open feature to make the most use of your cargo area. But enough about your luggage. Families love the Palisade for offering three rows of luxury seating, where most competitors would let the front row hog all the good stuff. Everyone can enjoy heated seats in all three rows, and the first and second rows can indulge in Relaxation Seats that power recline and offer leg supports. Anyone considering the brand-new Palisade XRT PRO model gets interior exclusives like H-Tex leatherette seats, a power moonroof, a heated steering wheel, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.

Just like we talked about earlier, any luxury seat functions in the Toyota Grand Highlander are reserved for the driver and front passenger. For being a family car, that's not very nice for the rear-row passengers. This SUV might have tri-zone climate control, but plenty would argue that it's not enough to keep everyone comfortable on its own.

Next time you get a new SUV, think about what the whole family would want. There's little doubt that there's a 2026 Hyundai Palisade near you that satisfies everyone's desires. That would be harder to accomplish with the latest Grand Highlander, so why even bother? Go with the safe bet for a family car that'll be in the background of your photos for countless years to come.

Learn more > Which Trim Level Of The 2026 Palisade Is Right For Me?