Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Sorento

What's the difference?

VS
Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Palisade

$66,800 - $93,400

2026 price

Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento

$33,990 - $82,990

2025 price

Summary

2026 Hyundai Palisade
2025 Kia Sorento
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.8L/100km (combined)

1.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
8

7
Dislikes
  • Rear bench-style seats are firm
  • Safety systems sometimes clunky
  • More expensive than rivals

  • Price vs value equation doesn't add up
  • Limited electric driving range
  • No curtain airbags in the third row
2026 Hyundai Palisade Summary

If you’re in the market for an eight-seat family SUV, the Hyundai Palisade has probably already crossed your radar. But now there’s a twist. Hyundai has taken this well-established large SUV and given it a hybrid powertrain.

That puts it up against familiar rivals like the Toyota Kluger GXL Hybrid and Kia Sorento Sport+ Hybrid which are both strong players in the family-friendly space. The version we’re looking at for this review is the mid-spec Elite and we're family-testing it to see if the new hybrid powertrain makes for a winning combo.

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2025 Kia Sorento Summary

The plug-in hybrid market is slowly but surely gaining traction in Australia, and Kia has thrown its hat into the ring with the flagship Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD.

This top-spec seven-seat large SUV pairs family friendly practicality with the promise of lower emissions and petrol savings, at least, in theory.

So, is it the right blend of convenience, space and efficiency for busy families looking to dip a toe into electrification? That’s exactly what my family and I have been finding out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Hyundai Palisade 2025 Kia Sorento

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