2026 Honda Pilot vs. 2026 Hyundai Palisade Comparison

The 2026 Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade continue to duel in the family-friendly, 3-row midsize SUV segment. If you’re a parent juggling school drop-offs or just need more space for people and stuff, both SUVs are likely already on your list. The Pilot got a refresh for 2026, and the Palisade is all-new for this model year.

Here’s how the Pilot and Palisade compare.

2026 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot got an updated exterior for 2026 with a broader front grille flanked by larger air intakes, giving it a beefier, bolder look. Slimmer LED headlights and a modernized tailgate make the Pilot stand out in the parking lot. The 2026 Pilot also receives welcome updates inside in the form of greater tech. More on that below.

Honda Pilot Highlights

Thoughtful interior: The Pilot is not just roomy enough for families; it can also be configured to grow with them. Want a way to separate the kids, or need a little more space for adults in the second row? No problem. Honda offers an easily foldable and removable middle seat, which can be securely stored under the rear cargo area. Getting in and out of the third row is easy, too: Simply press a button on the outboard seats, and they tilt and slide forward, leaving plenty of room for passengers to step up and into the rear. Even with the third row up, there is an ample 18.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the seats. That means there’s plenty of space for groceries or rollaboard suitcases.

Rugged TrailSport trim: Designed for the adventure-minded, this trim is ideal for tackling gravel and dirt roads. The TrailSport trim features an off-road-tuned suspension, an inch more ground clearance than other trims, and comes with all-terrain tires for ready for off-pavement action.

Updated tech: The Pilot has a standard power liftgate and an updated, larger, 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The latest update features Google built-in, which lets you use your voice to adjust everything from climate control to the radio station by simply saying “Hey Google.” We also like the standard 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the PILOT models near you.  

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is all-new for 2026, offering more space, updated technology, and a new, more rugged off-road trim. This second-generation model makes a great 3-row family SUV even greater. The Palisade is also available as a hybrid, which we review separately.

Hyundai Palisade Highlights

More space: Hyundai added 2.5 inches of length to the body and 2.7 inches to the Palisade’s wheelbase, which gives the cabin a larger feel than the prior model. It offers up to 19.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Hyundai touts the 2026 Palisade’s third row as “reimagined,” with larger windows that give passengers a more open feeling. Even with the third row pushed all the way back, there is still a decent amount of cargo space.

Smartly redesigned cabin: Hyundai outdid itself with the Palisade’s updated cabin, which is similar to the all-new Ioniq 9 EV. For 2026, Hyundai eliminated the awkward gearshift buttons from the previous model and replaced them with a column shifter that turns like a key to shift into reverse and drive. It takes some getting used to, but we like using it. The Palisade also includes dual 12.3-inch displays that have become Hyundai’s new standard. There are also 110-watt USB-C ports in all three rows, for fast charging your devices, including laptops. As with the Pilot, the Palisade includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

XRT Pro Trim: For 2026, the Palisade features a trim tailored for off-pavement enthusiasts. The XRT Pro trim comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), an electronic rear limited-slip differential, and modes for mud, sand, and snow. It comes with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, offers 8.4 inches of ground clearance, and includes red front and rear recovery hooks and an integrated tow hitch, which is covered with a black insert when not in use.

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Palisade models near you. 

Similarities

The Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade are well known for their spacious, feature-rich 3-row interiors. Each can accommodate seven or eight people, depending on configuration. In a market where some midsize SUVs lean toward turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, the Pilot and Palisade both offer a standard 3.5-liter V6. Both have a maximum tow capacity of 5,000 pounds, and both models offer off-road-themed variants.

Pricing

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Honda Pilot vehicles and New 2026 Hyundai Palisade vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications

Conclusion

Both the 2026 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade are great to drive and offer plenty of interior space and amenities. If you want super sleek design or want the option of a hybrid, the Palisade is worth a close look. Still, in a segment geared toward families, we laud the Honda Pilot for its family-friendly features and flexible interior space. We encourage you to calculate your budget, test-drive each — with the family in tow — and see which better fits your life.