By Craig and Amber Fruin, Spokane Hyundai

So here’s the deal. After three months — and over 5,000 miles — in the new 2026 Hyundai Palisade, Amber and I can safely say this SUV has become part of the family. Living in the Inland Northwest, our vehicles take a beating. Long runs on I-90, twisty backroads into Orofino, quick hops into Canada — if a car can survive us, it can survive anyone.

We’ve both logged plenty of time in the 2025 Palisade, and the difference with the 2026 is immediate. It’s quieter, smoother, and the third row feels bigger. That’s important when your passengers start complaining about legroom before you’re even out of Spokane Valley. With the new one, the backseat negotiations are basically over.

Here’s what shocked us: it actually corners. On the winding roads down to Orofino, we braced for some SUV body roll — nope. The Palisade hugged the curves like it thought it was a sporty crossover. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still a big three-row SUV, but it doesn’t drive like one.

Craig’s an audiophile (translation: he justifies spending too much on speakers), so naturally the first thing he noticed was the premium sound system. Road trip into Canada? More like a private concert on wheels. Amber was not taking requests, by the way.

And thank goodness Hyundai kept real buttons. No one wants to dig through three menus just to turn down the AC. Climate, volume, drive modes — push, turn, done. Which means less fiddling and more driving.

The safety features are the kind you actually use. Adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind-spot cameras — they just work. Not in that “annoying beep every two seconds” way, but in a “hey, this actually helps” way. We love that the Palisade makes us feel safer without acting like a backseat driver.

Amber has four dogs. Yes, four. With the third row down, they all fit in the back comfortably, tails wagging, no one’s fighting for space. Add in a flat load floor and wide doors, and suddenly dog wrangling isn’t the Olympic sport it used to be.

Now, throw in a teenage daughter, and here’s where the Palisade really earns its keep. Between all the charging ports and rear-seat tech, she stays plugged in for hours — TikTok, streaming, whatever teens are doing back there. Let’s just say the Palisade has officially cut down on the “Are we there yet?” questions. That alone might be worth the sticker price.

Oh, and yes, skis and fishing rods have been tested. They fit. Which means the SUV handles everything from Mt. Spokane weekends to Clearwater River trips without turning into a game of Tetris.

July in Spokane was a test, and the Palisade passed. Ventilated seats, tri-zone climate, panoramic sunroof — summer road trips were actually comfortable. But honestly, we’re kind of excited for winter. With HTRAC AWD and Snow Mode, it looks ready for mountain passes, icy commutes, and all the fun that comes with living here.

How does the 2026 compare to the 2025? Smoother, quieter, and roomier. Basically, all the little things that make long drives better.

How’s the sound system? Awesome. Think “front row at a concert,” not “tin can on wheels.”

Is it all touchscreens now? Nope, and thank goodness. Real buttons for the stuff you actually use. How does it handle winding roads? Way better than expected. Feels more sporty crossover than lumbering SUV.

Is it family-friendly? Absolutely. Between seating, cargo space, and tech, it’s built for family chaos.

Dog-Friendly Comfort Amber’s four dogs have claimed the back as their kingdom. Plenty of room, no squishing, and no judging looks from the Moose ( our mini poodle chihuahua mix).

Outdoor Gear Ready Tested and approved. If it doesn’t fit in the Palisade, you probably don’t need it.

How does it work for teenagers? Perfectly. Our daughter’s been fully engaged with her phone the entire time. If the Palisade can distract a teenager for 500 miles, that’s engineering brilliance.

Is the safety tech easy to use? Yes. Helpful, not bossy. How will it do in winter? We’re ready to find out, but with AWD and Snow Mode, we’re betting it’ll shine.

So here’s our honest take. After 5,000 miles, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is the most functional, best-driving SUV we’ve ever owned. It’s comfortable, safe, handles real family life (dogs, teens, and gear included), and makes driving fun again.

We might be biased, but we’ve driven a lot of vehicles in the last decade — and this one stands out. There are plenty of great new cars out there, but at the very least, you owe it to yourself to come in and take a drive.

Craig and Amber Fruin

Spokane Hyundai