Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Wins Spot on WardsAuto’s Top 10 Engines List

Hyundai Palisade Hybrid (Hyundai Motor) Hyundai Motor’s large sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Palisade Hybrid, has been recognized in the United States for its powertrain performance and fuel efficiency. Hyundai Motor announced on Oct. 15 that the 2.5-liter turbo hybrid powertrain in the Palisade Hybrid had won a place on WardsAuto’s “2026 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems” list, selected by the U.S. automotive publication. The award is significant because it recognizes the technological capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation hybrid system, which was first applied to the Palisade Hybrid. WardsAuto has presented the award annually since 1995. Often described as the “Oscars” of the automotive powertrain industry, the award was renamed in 2019 to reflect the growing trend toward electrification. This year’s evaluation covered the powertrains of 26 new vehicles sold in the United States. Judges assessed output, torque, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), efficiency and technology before selecting 10 winners. The Palisade’s 2.5-liter turbo hybrid powertrain earned high marks for its driving performance and efficiency. The system features a new transmission with two integrated motors that can be paired with various engine lineups. This architecture enables performance to be optimized for different vehicle classes and characteristics. The Palisade Hybrid delivers a maximum system output of 334 horsepower and a combined fuel economy of 14.1 kilometers per liter for the two-wheel-drive model with 18-inch wheels. The vehicle also incorporates a range of electrification technologies designed to improve driving performance. These include E-Ride, which uses the drive motor to enhance ride comfort, as well as E-Handling, E-EHA and e-DTVC. The vehicle is also equipped with a 1.65-kilowatt-hour, 300-volt-class high-voltage lithium-ion battery to ensure a stable power supply. The Palisade Hybrid also incorporates features associated with electric vehicles. Interior vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and Stay Mode allow drivers to use features previously associated primarily with electric vehicles, even in a hybrid model. A Hyundai Motor spokesperson said the company would continue to provide greater value to customers through the performance of its next-generation hybrid system. With this latest recognition, Hyundai Motor Group has been named to the 10 Best Engines list 20 times since the 4.6-liter Tau engine in the first-generation Genesis (BH) received the award in 2008. The record reflects the group’s powertrain capabilities across internal combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids. The Palisade has also received recognition elsewhere in North America. After winning the utility vehicle category at the North American Car of the Year awards in January, it was named the “2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year” and included in Car and Driver’s “2026 10Best Trucks & SUVs,” further underscoring its standing in the market.