2026 GMC Acadia vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

$43,700 · Crossover

$39,435 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the newly redesigned 2026 GMC Acadia and the value-packed 2025 Hyundai Palisade often comes down to prioritizing muscle versus initial cost. If you need serious space and power, the Acadia presents a compelling case despite its higher entry point of $43,700, which is $4,265 more than the Palisade's $39,435 MSRP. The GMC leads the charge with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, easily outpacing the Palisade's 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This extra power might justify the $4,265 premium for drivers needing quicker highway merges. Interestingly, the larger Acadia (204.0 inches long) only sips slightly more fuel, achieving 23 MPG combined compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG combined, utilizing regular unleaded in both cases. Furthermore, the Acadia offers a significant cargo boost, providing 23 cu ft versus the Palisade’s 19.1 cu ft, making it the practical choice for hauling.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 GMC Acadia

The 2026 Acadia's superior 23 MPG combined efficiency gives it a slight edge for the daily slog over the Palisade's 21 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 GMC Acadia

The Acadia wins for families due to its larger overall dimensions, offering more room with 23 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to 19.1 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 GMC Acadia

The Acadia is the clear choice for enthusiasts, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque against the Palisade's 287 hp and 260 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade provides excellent utility for a lower initial outlay, starting at $39,435 compared to the Acadia's $43,700.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

You prioritize engine performance, as the Acadia delivers 41 more horsepower (328 hp total).
You need maximum hauling capability, benefiting from the 23 cu ft of cargo space.
You are willing to pay the $4,265 premium for a significantly larger vehicle (204.0 inches long).

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

Your budget is tight, as the Palisade starts at $39,435, saving you $4,265 upfront.
You prefer a slightly more maneuverable vehicle in tight spaces, given its 78.0-inch width versus the Acadia's 79.6 inches.
You value near-identical daily driving efficiency while opting for the less expensive machine (21 MPG combined vs 23 MPG combined).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Acadia	Hyundai Palisade
Length	204.0"	199.2"
Width	79.6"	78.0"
Height	71.0"	69.5"
Wheelbase	120.9"	116.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	361.0/475.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	—	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Digital Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	15.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	—
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	61.4 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	58.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	43.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	61.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	GMC	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 GMC Acadia and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

How much does the price difference affect running costs between these two crossovers?

The Hyundai Palisade starts $4,265 cheaper, making the initial purchase much friendlier. While the Acadia is slightly more efficient at 23 MPG combined versus 21 MPG combined, the initial savings on the Palisade likely offset minor long-term fuel differences for most owners.

Is the 2026 Acadia substantially bigger than the 2026 Palisade for city driving?

Yes, the Acadia is noticeably larger, measuring 204.0 inches long and 79.6 inches wide compared to the Palisade's 199.2 inches in length and 78.0 inches in width. This extra size translates directly into more interior volume, particularly the cargo area.

Which car is better for enthusiastic driving, given their similar transmissions?

The 2026 GMC Acadia is the better pick for enthusiasts, primarily due to its substantial power advantage, putting down 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. The Palisade offers a respectable 287 hp, but it cannot match the Acadia’s output figures.

Do either of these models require premium fuel?

No, happily, both the 2026 GMC Acadia and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade specify regular unleaded fuel for their respective powertrains. This keeps the ongoing fuel expenses consistent across both models.

How significant is the difference in cargo space?

There is a noticeable gap in utility; the Acadia offers 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, whereas the Palisade provides 19.1 cubic feet. That's nearly 4 cubic feet more room in the Acadia for road trips or grocery runs.

If I care most about the lowest purchase price, which crossover should I look at first?

You should focus on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade first, as its MSRP is $39,435. This undercuts the 2026 GMC Acadia’s starting price of $43,700 by $4,265, making it the budget-friendlier option right off the lot.