2026 Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy: Specs & Pricing

Heated seats across all three rows are a useful example of what separates the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy from an ordinary family SUV. Quilted Nappa leather, second-row captain’s chairs, a head-up display and a built-in dashcam add to its seven-seat cabin. The V6 and hybrid versions require separate comparisons for fuel consumption and towing.

This guide focuses on the V6 Ultimate Calligraphy shown in our video, with the hybrid version identified separately wherever its specifications differ. Prices are in CAD, and fuel consumption is expressed in L/100 km.

Models available

The 2026 lineup includes Preferred Trend, XRT Pro, Luxury Hybrid and Ultimate Calligraphy. Ultimate Calligraphy is offered with either a 3.5-litre V6 or a 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid system. HTRAC all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

Preferred Trend seats eight in a 2-3-3 arrangement. XRT Pro and Ultimate Calligraphy seat seven with second-row captain’s chairs. Luxury Hybrid offers seven- or eight-passenger configurations. An eight-seat Palisade exists, but it is not the Ultimate Calligraphy configuration.

Engine specifications

The V6 Ultimate Calligraphy uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine rated at 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its column-mounted electronic selector frees space in the centre console.

The optional hybrid combines a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with electric motors and a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. These are total system figures, rather than figures for the gasoline engine alone.

Towing and load considerations

Hyundai lists a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lb for the V6 Palisade and 4,000 lb for the hybrid. Ultimate Calligraphy includes a factory-integrated tow hitch. The higher V6 rating does not apply to the hybrid, even though both versions carry the same trim name.

Maximum ratings require the proper equipment and compliance with Hyundai’s towing instructions. Check trailer brakes, wiring, hitch limits and the individual vehicle’s loading label before choosing a trailer. Passengers, luggage and trailer tongue weight all count toward the vehicle’s permitted load; seven seats do not mean seven occupants plus a maximum-weight trailer will fit within every loading limit.

Fuel economy

Natural Resources Canada’s 2026 ratings for the standard Palisade V6 AWD are 13.4 L/100 km in the city, 10.0 on the highway and 11.9 combined. The Palisade Hybrid AWD is rated at 8.3 city, 7.9 highway and 8.1 combined. Both use regular gasoline.

These laboratory ratings provide a consistent comparison between powertrains. Winter temperatures, short trips, idling, roof-mounted cargo and towing can increase consumption. The XRT Pro has a separate rating, so its numbers should not be substituted for Ultimate Calligraphy.

Interior, seating and cargo

Ultimate Calligraphy’s seven-seat layout pairs two front seats with two second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third row. Quilted Nappa leather seating surfaces, quilted door trim and a microfibre suede headliner distinguish it from the lower trims.

The first and second rows include ventilation and Relaxation Mode. Front and second-row heating is joined by heated third-row seats, and the third row offers four-way power adjustment. The driver receives an Ergo Motion seat, eight-way power adjustment, four-way lumbar support and memory settings. A heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and separate rear climate controls are also included.

Canadian recall check: Certain 2026 Palisades are covered by Transport Canada recall 2026121 because the powered rear seats may keep moving when obstructed. Check the vehicle’s VIN and repair status with Hyundai. The recall advises keeping seats empty during powered folding and avoiding the one-touch tilt-and-slide function for third-row entry or exit. It describes an over-the-air update for eligible vehicles or a dealer software update; this does not establish whether the vehicle in our video has an outstanding recall.

A hands-free power tailgate provides access to the luggage area. Folding the rear seating expands storage for larger items, although doing so reduces passenger capacity. Families should assess their usual stroller, luggage and sports equipment with the third row upright, since maximum cargo space assumes fewer seats are in use. Other cabin conveniences include rear sunshades, a dual-pane power sunroof, a UV-C sterilization tray and a 115-volt outlet.

Infotainment and technology

The dashboard combines a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and Ultimate Calligraphy upgrades the audio system to 14-speaker Bose equipment.

A head-up display places selected information in the driver’s line of sight. The digital rearview mirror offers a camera-based alternative to the conventional reflection, and the built-in dual-channel dashcam records front and rear views. Seven USB-C ports serve the cabin, while Passenger Talk 2.0 helps the front occupants communicate with those farther back. Bluelink connected services and Digital Key support depend on compatible devices and applicable service terms.

Safety features on Ultimate Calligraphy

Ultimate Calligraphy includes Hyundai’s expanded Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, covering vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists along with junction turning, direct oncoming traffic, junction crossing and lane-change-side scenarios. Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, adaptive cruise control and Lane Following Assist are also included.

The trim adds Highway Driving Assist 2, Surround View Monitor, Blind View Monitor, side parking-distance warning, reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist 1. Forward Attention Warning includes distracted-driver monitoring. Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist and tire-pressure monitoring round out the equipment list.

Camera views and assistance systems support an attentive driver. Their operation depends on visibility, road markings, sensor conditions and the limitations described in the owner’s manual.

Pricing in CAD

Hyundai’s Ontario configurator lists the V6 Ultimate Calligraphy at $62,499 MSRP. Adding $2,400 in delivery and destination charges and $952 in other fees and levies produces a displayed price of $65,851 before applicable sales tax and optional extras.

For comparison, the same configurator displays Preferred Trend at $57,051, XRT Pro at $61,151, Luxury Hybrid at $63,851 and Ultimate Calligraphy Hybrid at $69,051. Those comparison figures include the configurator’s listed delivery charges and fees; they are not bare MSRP figures. Paint, accessories, local charges and changing incentives can alter an individual quotation.

Competition

The Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander and Mazda CX-90 belong on a three-row SUV comparison list. Compare the exact trim and seating arrangement, because a captain’s-chair configuration can reduce capacity even when another version of the same SUV offers eight seats.

For this Palisade, the main shopping decision is between the V6’s higher maximum tow rating and the hybrid’s lower rated fuel consumption. Buyers should also compare third-row access, luggage space with all seats occupied, included safety equipment and the final price after fees. Ultimate Calligraphy packages many premium features together, making a like-for-like equipment comparison more useful than comparing starting prices alone.

Explore our other SUV reviews to compare equipment and specifications.

V6 or hybrid: put the price difference beside the fuel saving

The listed Ultimate Calligraphy totals differ by $3,200 before tax: $65,851 for the V6 and $69,051 for the hybrid. Using the combined ratings above, the hybrid uses 3.8 fewer litres per 100 km. Over 20,000 km, that is 760 litres. At an illustrative $1.65 per litre, the annual difference is $1,254, giving a simple fuel-only recovery period of about 2.6 years for the quoted price difference.

At 10,000 km a year, the same calculation takes about 5.1 years. It excludes tax on the purchase difference, financing, maintenance and resale, and assumes the rated consumption difference carries through to your driving. The V6 still has a distinct advantage for a buyer needing a trailer above the hybrid’s 4,000-lb ceiling: its properly equipped maximum is 5,000 lb.

For a household covering substantial distance without a heavy trailer, the hybrid deserves the first cost comparison. For someone towing between those two limits, fuel savings cannot make the hybrid a suitable substitute for the V6.

Equipment reference: Hyundai Canada’s 2026 Palisade information. Fuel-rating reference: NRCan’s Fuel Consumption Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2026 Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy have seven or eight seats?

Ultimate Calligraphy has seven seats, with second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third row. Its cabin includes quilted Nappa leather seating surfaces.

Can the Palisade Hybrid tow as much as the V6?

No. Hyundai lists a 4,000-lb maximum for the hybrid and 5,000 lb for the V6, with the proper equipment. Ultimate Calligraphy includes a factory-integrated hitch, but the powertrain still determines which maximum applies.

What technology is included with Ultimate Calligraphy?

Highlights include two 12.3-inch displays, a head-up display, 14-speaker Bose audio and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital rearview mirror and built-in front-and-rear dashcam are also included.

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For details of the walkaround format and specification checks, see our editorial approach.

Cabin details visible in the walkaround

The cargo photograph shows the third-row backrests upright, with folding controls grouped on the left side of the opening. That is the useful starting layout for a seven-person shopping test: folding the row increases space but also removes the seats your passengers need. Try your regular bags in this arrangement before relying on the maximum cargo figure.

The rear-seat image shows two individual second-row chairs with separate armrests and a passage between them. That layout favours access through the cabin, while committing this configuration to seven seats. The pale upholstery and dark lower trim are also visible; compare how the actual interior colour fits your family’s everyday use rather than judging from a generic brochure image.