Compare the2026 GMC AcadiaVS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the GMC Acadia achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Hyundai Palisade has not been tested.

Both the Acadia and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The GMC Acadia achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Palisade has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

There are almost 2 times as many GMC dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Acadia’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

The Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (328 vs. 287) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 260) than the Palisade’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Acadia gets better mileage than the Palisade:

The Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.3 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade V6’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 19 gallons).

The Acadia has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Palisade doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Acadia’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Palisade are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Acadia has larger standard tires than the Palisade (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R18). The Acadia’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Acadia offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Palisade’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The GMC Acadia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Palisade only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Acadia has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Palisade doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Acadia’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Palisade (120.9 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Acadia’s turning circle is tighter than the Palisade’s:

The Acadia uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Palisade doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Acadia has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 1 inch more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 3.3 inches more third row hip room and 2.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Palisade.

The Acadia’s cargo area provides more volume than the Palisade.

While the Palisade Hybrid can only tow 4000, any Acadia can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

The Acadia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Palisade does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Acadia’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Palisade’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The Acadia has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Palisade SEL Premium/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the GMC Acadia has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid offers wireless charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends the GMC Acadia, based on reliability, safety and performance.