Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade
The roads of South Carolina and beyond have become densely populated with three-row SUVs, and it’s easy to see why—they offer tons of interior space for kids and cargo, they’re chock full of next-gen tech, and they’re not so big that they’re hard to drive, making them perfect for families on the go.
The 2026 Buick Enclave and 2026 Hyundai Palisade are two excellent examples of a midsize SUV done right, but should you choose one over the other? Let’s check out their specs and features to find out which is best for your family.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Spec Highlights
| 2026 Buick Enclave | 2026 Hyundai Palisade | |
|---|---|---|
| Available AWD | Yes | Yes |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Min. cargo volume | 22.9 cu ft | 19.1 cu ft |
| Max. cargo volume | 97.5 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft |
| Screen size | 33 in | 12.3 in |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Performance
All Enclave models come standard with a robust 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. While it may not be winning any drag races, its powerful engine is more than enough to keep up with highway traffic, and its silky-smooth driving dynamics are complemented by thorough QuietTuning™ sound deadening technology for a quiet cabin. The Enclave can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Most Palisade models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that creates 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which makes it a bit slower than the Enclave. However, it has slightly more off-road capability thanks to its available Terrain Modes when optioned with AWD, and it also has a 5,000-pound towing capacity. There’s also an available Palisade Hybrid, which has a 2.5-liter engine and hybrid motor setup that creates 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, which puts it closer to the Enclave’s performance, but drops the towing capacity down to 4,000 pounds.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Fuel Economy
Regardless of whether you choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, you can expect your Enclave to turn out roughly 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, which puts it firmly in the middle of the pack compared to other gas-powered three-row SUVs.
The gas-powered Palisade comes in with a rating of 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway when equipped with FWD, and slightly less with AWD, putting it behind the Enclave in terms of gas mileage. However, the Palisade Hybrid improves those numbers, getting up to 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Size and Dimensions
Maximizing passenger and cargo space is the name of the game with three-row SUVs, so let’s check out their interior dimensions to see which one comes out on top:
| 2026 Buick Enclave | 2026 Hyundai Palisade | |
|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity | 7 | 7 to 8 |
| Head room (1st/2nd/3rd row) | 42.6 / 40.0 / 38.3 in | 41.5 / 40.7 / 37.8 in |
| Shoulder room (1st/2nd/3rd row) | 62.2 / 62.1 / 57.8 in | 61.4 / 61.0 / 55.6 in |
| Leg room (1st/2nd/3rd row) | 44.3 / 41.5 / 32.1 in | 44.2 / 43.0 / 32.1 in |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 22.9 cu ft | 19.1 cu ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 57.1 cu ft | 46.3 cu ft |
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 97.5 cu ft | 86.7 cu ft |
While both have similar passenger dimensions, the Enclave lives up to its name by providing far more cargo capacity, making it a much more versatile ride for road trips with a large crew.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Interior
Every Enclave model comes standard with an ultrawide 30-inch LCD digital display screen, which serves as the command center for media, navigation, vehicle info, comfort controls, and more. Standard features include Google built-in compatibility, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, wireless phone projection, wireless phone charging, 5G Wi-Fi, multiple USB ports, and a premium Bose® sound system. The cabin also exudes a decidedly luxurious vibe, with other features like premium upholstery, heated front seats, and tri-zone climate control standard as well.
The Palisade comes with a 12.3-inch center touch screen, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports, but tech features like the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and wireless charging don’t come standard. The Palisade also has available features like premium upholstery and heated seats, but again, they don’t come standard, requiring shoppers near Dentsville to buck up for a more expensive trim to enjoy the nicer amenities included in the Enclave.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Safety Features
The Enclave and Palisade both won Top Safety Pick awards for 2026, making them top-notch choices for families with young drivers. Both come standard with an impressive list of driver assistance features, including frontal collision alert, automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic braking, lane keeping assistance, pedestrian and cyclist detection, parking sensors, and more.
However, the Enclave has a few extra standard features, including HD Surround Vision and Teen Driver settings, and it’s also capable of level 2 self-driving with Super Cruise.
Buick Enclave vs. Hyundai Palisade: Reliability
According to the JD Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick ranked well above average as a brand, coming in at #2 overall, while Hyundai came in just barely above average at #12. Consumer Reports found similar results, ranking Buick at #8 in reliability, while Hyundai came in at #12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the 2026 Buick Enclave and Hyundai Palisade have self-driving?
The Enclave has Super Cruise hands-free driving available in all trim levels, while the Palisade has adaptive cruise control, but no true self-driving feature.
Do the 2026 Enclave and Palisade have three-zone climate control?
Yes, both have three-zone climate control as a standard feature.
Do the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Buick Enclave have Wi-Fi?
Yes, both have high speed Wi-Fi capability.
Do the 2026 Enclave and Palisade have AWD?
Yes, both can be optioned with all-wheel drive.
Does the 2026 Enclave or Palisade get better gas mileage?
The Buick Enclave gets slightly better gas mileage than the Hyundai Palisade, but the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is rated far better than both.
Find the New Buick Enclave for Sale in Columbia, SC
We always recommend our shoppers do plenty of in-person research before deciding on a new vehicle, so come on down to Jim Hudson Buick GMC, where we have an excellent selection of new Enclave models to test drive, plus new vehicle specials and low APR financing to help you land the most affordable monthly payment possible.
Contact us online or call us at (803) 462-4475 to schedule an appointment today.