• Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles

Jan 30, 2026
2026 Hyundai Palisade parked in a lot.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Awards Highlights

  • 2026 Hyundai Palisade named Best Midsize SUV in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Family Car Awards
  • Palisade Hybrid earns a spot on Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs list
  • 2026 Palisade receives 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK designation
  • Wins Kelley Blue Book 2026 Best Buy Award for Best Midsize SUV
  • All-new three-row SUV with gas and hybrid powertrains, perfect for busy SoCal families

An Award Magnet for 2026

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade isn’t just a new SUV. It’s a trophy collector.

In a short time, this all-new three-row SUV has picked up major awards from:

  • Good Housekeeping
  • Car and Driver
  • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
  • Kelley Blue Book

All of these honors come straight from official Hyundai Motor America press releases. They show that the 2026 Palisade is a smart choice for families in Los Angeles and across SoCal who want space, safety, and style.

At Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles, this matters because it means you’re shopping a model that experts, engineers, and real families already love.

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Good Housekeeping: Hyundai Palisade Best Midsize SUV for Families

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is photographed in Bodega Bay, CA.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is photographed in Bodega Bay, CA.

Good Housekeeping’s auto experts and the Good Housekeeping Institute tested family vehicles for comfort, safety, tech, and everyday ease. In their 2026 Family Car Awards, the all-new Hyundai Palisade was named “Best Midsize SUV.”

According to Hyundai’s press materials, the judges liked how the Palisade:

  • Offers a roomy three-row layout for kids, friends, and gear
  • Pairs gas and new hybrid powertrain options for strong performance and efficiency
  • Feels upscale inside, with premium materials and thoughtful storage
  • Balances comfort and smooth driving on long trips

For LA families, that means:

  • Easy school drop-offs and freeway commutes
  • Room for soccer gear, beach chairs, or camping stuff
  • A quiet, smooth ride on rough city streets and SoCal road trips

Car and Driver 10Best: Palisade Hybrid Steps Up

Car and Driver’s 10Best Trucks and SUVs list is one of the toughest in the industry. For 2026, the Palisade Hybrid earned a spot on that list.

Hyundai’s release explains why the editors were impressed:

  • All-new hybrid system
  • 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
  • Two electric motors
  • Up to 329 horsepower
  • Up to 619 miles of driving range (when properly equipped)
  • New comfort and tech features, including:
  • Relaxation seating for first and second rows
  • Digital Key 2
  • High-output USB-C ports
  • EV-like Stay Mode

For drivers in Downtown LA, that means:

  • Plenty of power for merging onto the 110 or 101
  • Strong range for trips from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, San Diego, or Big Bear
  • A quiet, refined drive that still feels premium

And 2026 marks the fourth straight year a Hyundai model has made the 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, which shows the brand’s consistency.

IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK: Peace of Mind in LA Traffic

2026 Hyundai Palisade with a family sitting inside.

Safety is a huge deal in busy SoCal traffic, and the 2026 Palisade delivers.

In Hyundai’s official safety release, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade earned a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK designation from IIHS.

This award reflects:

  • Strong crash test performance
  • Solid body structure and crash-energy management
  • Effective Hyundai SmartSense™ driver-assist safety features

The release notes that Hyundai now has 10 vehicles with 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings, and the 2026 Palisade is one of them.

For your family in Los Angeles, this means:

  • Extra confidence in heavy freeway traffic
  • Advanced features that help watch for cars, pedestrians, and bikes
  • Protection in case a crash does happen

If you’re hauling kids, pets, grandparents, or friends around SoCal, this award is a big reassurance.

Kelley Blue Book 2026 Best Buy: Best Midsize SUV

Another big win comes from Kelley Blue Book’s 2026 Best Buy Awards. In Hyundai’s press release, the Palisade is named the 2026 Best Midsize SUV.

KBB’s Best Buy awards focus on value over time, not just at the test drive. Hyundai’s release highlights that the Palisade earned this award for:

  • Premium design
  • Available hybrid powertrain
  • Refined interior with high-end look and feel
  • Strong resale value

KBB’s own write-up adds that the 2026 Palisade:

  • Is all-new for 2026
  • Offers a bigger interior with upgraded tech
  • Introduces the rugged XRT PRO trim, ideal for adventure

So if you’re in LA and want a three-row SUV that’s both smart money and nice to drive, this award backs up your choice.

What These Awards Mean for SoCal Drivers

20026 Hyundai Palisade towing a boat.

Put all these awards together, and a clear story emerges:

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is built to be:

  • Safe – IIHS 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK
  • Family-friendly – Good Housekeeping’s Best Midsize SUV for families
  • Fun and efficient – Car and Driver 10Best nod for the Palisade Hybrid
  • A strong value – KBB 2026 Best Buy Award

For life in Los Angeles and Southern California, that translates into:

  • Stop-and-go city comfort
  • Highway confidence on I-5, 10, 405, and the 210
  • Weekend getaways to the beach, desert, or mountains
  • Space and tech that keep kids and adults happy on long drives

See the Award-Winning 2026 Palisade at Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles

All of this award news is helpful, but the best way to understand the 2026 Palisade is to see it in person.

At Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles, our team can help you:

  1. Explore trims and options
  1. Compare features that matter for your LA lifestyle
  • Seating for up to eight
  • SmartSense safety tech
  • Large screens, wireless connectivity, and comfort touches
  1. Understand real-world value
  • How these awards reflect long-term quality and resale
  • Which trim fits your budget and driving habits

If you live in Downtown LA, the Valley, the South Bay, or anywhere in SoCal, the award-winning 2026 Hyundai Palisade deserves a spot on your test-drive list.

Visit or contact Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles today to experience firsthand why this SUV is racking up so many big-name awards—and why it might be the right three-row SUV for your family.

Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles – LA’s Favorite Hyundai Dealer

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