Hyundai Palisade vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

Hyundai redesigned the popular Palisade three-row sport utility vehicle for the 2026 model year. Already one of the best three-row crossover SUVs on the North American market, Hyundai left no stone unturned in its quest to make the 2026 Palisade the best version yet.

Verdict: The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is an improvement over the model it replaces in every meaningful way. Consider it a top choice if you’re in the market for a comfortable three-row SUV with space for the whole family. And if you’re planning to spend some time in the dirt, take a look at the new-for-2026 Palisade XRT Pro.

Although the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t the first three-row electric SUV through the door, it may be the best choice for most shoppers. With a starting price of $59,999 before fees and qualifying for EV rebates where they still exist, it’s much more affordable than a Tesla Model X or a Rivian R1S. And its standard 110.3-kWh battery pack provides a long range compared to a base-model Kia EV9.

Verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t a perfect vehicle, but it offers terrific passenger space, good tech, and family-friendly features. Shoppers may find its design polarizing — you could easily say the same about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Ioniq 6 — but families interested in electric vehicles will do well to test drive this new option.