Why the Hyundai Palisade Keeps Winning Best Family Car Awards

The Hyundai Palisade has become a repeat winner in family SUV comparisons, and there’s good reason for that. This three-row midsize SUV keeps racking up accolades from automotive publications year after year, standing out in a crowded field of competitors. What makes this Korean SUV special enough to beat out established rivals like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Traverse?

• The 2025 Hyundai Palisade has been honored as the Best Family Car of 2025 by Cars.com, confirming its place as a top choice for families seeking comfort, safety, and reliability.
• The 2026 Hyundai Palisade ranks among the highest-rated models on KBB.com’s list of best midsize SUVs.
• As one of our favorites in its segment, the Hyundai Palisade has also earned a spot on Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice list for 2025.

Space That Actually Works for Real Families

Walk up to a Palisade, and you’ll notice right away that it’s a big vehicle. But what’s inside matters most. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade got bigger on the outside, which translated to more space inside, with the third row of seats and the cargo area both a little bigger than they were in the outgoing model. This SUV actually treats third-row passengers like human beings.

There are 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.7 cubic feet when all of the rear seats are folded down, with 43 inches in the second row and 32.1 inches in the third row. Those are numbers that translate to actual comfort. Your teenagers won’t be complaining about cramped quarters on the way to soccer practice.

The seating configuration offers flexibility too. Depending on trim level, the Palisade can seat seven or eight people, with the base SE trim having eight seats thanks to its standard second-row bench, while higher trims are only available in the seven-seat configuration with captain’s chairs.

Value That Makes Sense

The Palisade stands out most in the value department. Starting at just over $38,000, the Palisade offers a range of trims to suit various budgets, and even the top-tier Calligraphy Night Edition, priced at $55,515, packs luxury and advanced features that rival more expensive competitors. You’re getting a ton of features without the luxury price tag.

The Hyundai Palisade 2024 offered similar value before the redesign, showing that the brand has been consistent about giving buyers more for their money. Comfortable, posh, and loaded with features, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV provides a premium family-hauling experience at a value price, and while rival SUVs have bigger interiors, better handling, quieter rides and more usable third-row seats, the Palisade puts in a solid performance in all these categories and beats all comers on sheer value.

Standard features are generous across the lineup. The base trim comes with standard features that include a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-way driver’s seat, a Passenger Talk in-car intercom, Rear Seat Quiet Mode, and three-zone automatic climate control.

Power and Performance That Gets the Job Done

Under the hood, you’ll find practical rather than flashy power. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade runs on a 3.5-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, rated at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, about average for a midsize SUV. That towing capacity means you can haul a decent-sized camper or boat for family vacations.

The driving experience favors comfort over sportiness, which makes sense for a family hauler. Handling is bland, but the ride is comfortable and well-suited for family duty. Combined with its strong performance and fuel efficiency (EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 21-22 mpg), the 2025 Hyundai Palisade makes a strong choice for families.

Safety Features That Give You Peace of Mind

When you’re hauling your most precious cargo, safety becomes the top priority. The Palisade comes through with standard safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance.

The Palisade performs well in IIHS crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation testing, with the 2024 model receiving the institute’s second-highest award, Top Safety Pick. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy.

Should This Be Your Next Family SUV?

After looking at what the Palisade brings to the table, you can see why it keeps winning awards. You’re getting a spacious interior that can actually fit adults in all three rows, a features list that rivals luxury SUVs, solid safety scores, and all at a price that won’t require taking out a second mortgage. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade checks all these boxes.

The competition in the three-row SUV segment is fierce, but the Palisade has found what works. Rather than chasing sportiness or extreme luxury, it focuses on being the best all-around package for families who need space, safety, and value. That approach keeps earning recognition from automotive experts and real families alike.