The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid redefines what a large three-row family SUV can be. It pairs Hyundai’s most powerful hybrid powertrain with the Palisade’s roomy body, so it feels quicker, smoother and more efficient than the V6 model. At Watson Family Hyundai, 8101 W 159th St in Tinley Park, four hybrid trims are on the lot to sit in and drive, from the efficiency-minded SEL up to the Calligraphy, with front-wheel drive or HTRAC all-wheel drive depending on stock.
If you have been searching for a big hybrid SUV near Orland Park, Joliet, Mokena or anywhere across Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs, the Palisade Hybrid deserves a spot on your shortlist. Here’s how it drives, what each trim adds and how it compares with the gas Palisade.
| Seats | Seven with second-row captain’s chairs, eight with the available bench |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2.5L turbo four plus two electric motors: 329 combined hp, six-speed automatic |
| Drive | Every trim offers a choice: FWD for mileage or HTRAC AWD for traction |
| Efficiency | Up to 34 mpg combined for FWD SEL and SEL Premium; 29 mpg combined with AWD (EPA est.) |
| Best for | Big families who drive a lot of miles and tow lighter loads |
If your week includes I-80 to Joliet or I-355 to Downers Grove, the hybrid’s mileage adds up. Hyundai estimates more than 600 miles from a tank on the most efficient versions, which means fewer stops on 159th Street.
Stop-and-go driving is where hybrids shine. Electric torque gets you away from the light quietly, and regenerative braking recharges the battery every time you slow for a school zone in Oak Forest or Frankfort.
Choose HTRAC all-wheel drive for slushy Harlem Avenue mornings, then add Blue Link remote start (with an active plan) so the cabin is warm before the kids climb in.
Under the hood sits a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 329 horsepower, and trade sources list 339 lb-ft of torque, figures that top the gas Palisade’s V6. Acceleration and passing power feel effortless, whether you’re merging onto I-80, pulling away from an intersection in Tinley Park or climbing an overpass with a full cabin.
The handoff between electric and gas power is smooth and nearly imperceptible. Low-speed driving leans on the motors’ instant torque for a refined, quiet departure from stops, while the turbo engine handles highway demands. For a three-row SUV with this much power, the efficiency is genuinely impressive, and the system asks nothing extra of you: there’s no plug, and the battery recharges as you drive.
The Palisade Hybrid also earns its keep as a workhorse. It’s rated to tow up to 4,000 pounds with trailer brakes, enough for a small boat headed to the Kankakee River, a pop-up camper or a utility trailer for weekend projects in Frankfort or New Lenox.
Every Palisade Hybrid trim can be ordered with HTRAC all-wheel drive, and that matters in Chicagoland. Winters bring everything from light dustings to heavy accumulations, and the weeks between November and March regularly deliver icy roads, slush-covered expressways and snow-packed side streets. HTRAC sends torque between the axles to keep the SUV composed, and it adds confidence in heavy Midwest rainstorms too. Front-wheel drive versions earn the best mileage, so think about how you drive before you choose.
All four hybrid trims share the same powertrain, three-row seating and Hyundai SmartSense safety suite. The differences lie in materials, comfort and technology.
| Trim | What you get | Pick it if… |
|---|---|---|
| SEL | Dual 12.3-inch curved displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports in all three rows, hands-free power liftgate, seven- or eight-seat layouts | You want the best mileage and a well-equipped cabin from day one |
| SEL Premium | Heated steering wheel, seats that heat and cool in the first two rows, Surround View Monitor, ambient lighting | You want comfort upgrades without stepping into luxury pricing |
| Limited | Leather-trimmed upholstery, 20-inch alloys, seat heaters reaching the third row, panoramic sunroof | You carry adults in the back row and want them comfortable |
| Calligraphy | Front and second-row relaxation seats, built-in front and rear dash cam, 21-inch alloys, top-level tech | Long road trips are part of family life and you want the flagship |
By the numbers
Figures vary by configuration and equipment. Hyundai also lists a mileage-focused Blue SEL version; ask our team which builds are in stock.
The three-row cabin reflects a genuine understanding of how families use an SUV. Second-row captain’s chairs create a comfortable seven-passenger layout with a walk-through to the third row, and the available bench brings capacity to eight, enough for a multi-generational group or a big carpool without a second vehicle.
The third row is a destination rather than a penalty box, with dedicated vents and USB-C charging, plus available power-folding seats and third-row heat on upper trims. Fold it flat and the cargo area handles sports gear, strollers, moving boxes and lumber from the hardware store. Up front, a horizontal dashboard places the curved display at the center without crowding the cockpit, and physical climate controls stay simple to reach.
Choose the V6 if you regularly tow up to 5,000 pounds or want the trail-ready XRT PRO with all-terrain tires and recovery hooks. Everyone else will likely prefer the hybrid’s extra power and lower fuel bills.
Want hybrid mileage in a slightly smaller three-row package? The Santa Fe Hybrid is easier to park at Orland Square. Ready to go fully electric instead? Compare the IONIQ 9.
When you purchase a Palisade Hybrid from us, our team supports you for the life of the vehicle. Hyundai’s warranty includes a 10-year/100,000-mile term on the hybrid battery and related system parts that stays with the SUV when it changes hands, plus powertrain protection of the same length for the first owner and a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty. Hyundai publishes the full terms. Our Hyundai-trained technicians use genuine parts and Hyundai diagnostic equipment for hybrid systems, and you can schedule service online. Explore Blue Link for remote start and vehicle alerts, read about Hyundai Shopper Assurance, and use our payment calculator before you visit. Curious how hybrids compare with plug-ins and EVs? Our EV hub explains the differences.
Four: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited and Calligraphy. All share the same 329-horsepower turbo hybrid powertrain. Features, materials and technology increase with each step up.
No. Each hybrid trim comes with front-wheel drive or available HTRAC all-wheel drive. AWD is popular here for Illinois winters, while FWD versions earn the best EPA mileage estimates.
Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and two electric motors produce 329 combined horsepower, with 339 lb-ft of torque listed by trade sources. That’s more than the V6 Palisade, and you get better fuel economy too.
Hyundai rates the FWD SEL and SEL Premium at 34 mpg combined, FWD Limited and Calligraphy at 31, and AWD versions at 29 (EPA est.). Real-world numbers shift with cargo, speed and the thermometer, and a frigid Chicago week usually trims hybrid mileage a little.
Hyundai rates it at up to 4,000 pounds with trailer brakes. A teardrop camper, a pair of personal watercraft or a loaded landscape trailer usually fits under that number. If you need up to 5,000 pounds, look at the V6 Palisade.
Yes, for most trips. The third row has real legroom, its own vents and USB-C charging, and upper trims add heat and power functions. The captain’s chair layout also leaves a walkway, so no one has to climb over the second row.
The Calligraphy adds front and second-row relaxation seats, a built-in front and rear dash cam and 21-inch wheels, along with the most premium materials in the lineup. It’s the choice for families who spend long hours on the road together.
Hyundai backs the hybrid battery and its system components for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and that protection carries over to later owners. Our service team can explain the coverage and maintenance schedule when you pick up your SUV.
Yes. Book online through our test drive page or call 708-726-4119, and we’ll have the trim you want ready. You’re welcome to drive the gas Palisade right after so you can feel the difference.
Hybrid shoppers find us on 159th Street just west of Harlem Avenue, a quick hop from I-80 and I-57. We regularly welcome drivers from Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Mokena, Frankfort, Matteson and Lockport, as well as Joliet, Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Kankakee, Bourbonnais and the city of Chicago. Get hours and directions or see the areas we serve.
Bring your family, your car seats and your questions. We’ll help you compare FWD and AWD, seven and eight seats, and hybrid and V6.
8101 W 159th St
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Sales: 708-726-4119
Service: 708-742-7612
Parts: 708-773-6254
