Volvo XC60 vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?

Volvo XC60

$74,990 - $101,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Hyundai Palisade

$66,800 - $93,400

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2026 Volvo XC60

2026 Hyundai Palisade

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.6L/100km (combined)

6.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Tried and tested family practicality
Pretty road manners
Relative value for segment

Refined ride and handling
Timeless design
Easy to manoeuvre

Dislikes

Facelift is too subtle
Gremlins in media system
Big price jumps between trims

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

2026 Volvo XC60 Summary

The Volvo XC60 has long been an understated achiever of the premium mid-size SUV crowd.

It doesn’t shout for attention like some of its rivals, but it’s built a reputation for quiet confidence and family-friendly practicality. For 2026, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark keeps the same engine but has received a facelift in other areas. Is it enough to keep family buyers who want a mix of practicality and luxury happy?

View full pricing & specs

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.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Volvo XC60 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Verdict

The facelifted Volvo XC60 Ultra B5 Dark is the car at school pick-up that doesn’t need to brag. It just gets on with things and it looks good doing it. It offers a strong mix of family-focused features, comfortable and composed road manners and thoughtful practicality throughout the cabin.

The updated media system is crisp and responsive, though it could use a few tweaks to be truly intuitive. Overall, the XC60 mild-hybrid remains a solid choice for families who value understated luxury, comfort and safety over flash. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does well.

Verdict

The new hybrid powertrain for the Hyundai Palisade is a welcome addition for families looking for an efficient three-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a brick and looks good at the school pick up or client lunch. Overall, the Palisade remains a solid, all-round package that deserves praise and the eighth seat is an added bonus.

Volvo XC60 vs Hyundai Palisade What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volvo XC60 vs Hyundai Palisade
What's the difference?