Next-generation hybrid system makes debut

334 hp, combined fuel economy of up to 14.1 km/L

20th selection since Genesis Tau engine in 2008

The Hyundai Motor Palisade hybrid. [Provided by Hyundai Motor]
The Hyundai Motor Palisade hybrid. [Provided by Hyundai Motor]

Hyundai Motor said Thursday that the 2.5 turbo hybrid powertrain in the Palisade hybrid has been named to the 2026 WardsAuto 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems list by the US automotive media outlet.

The recognition marks the first time Hyundai Motor Group's next-generation hybrid system has been honored, validating the performance and technological competitiveness of the powertrain making its debut in the Palisade hybrid.

Hyundai Motor Group has now appeared on the list 20 times since the gasoline 4.6-liter Tau engine in the first-generation Genesis was first selected in 2008. Hyundai Motor said the latest win reaffirms its powertrain technology spanning internal combustion engines, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

WardsAuto has compiled its 10 Best Engines list annually since 1995, and the award is widely regarded as the "Oscar of powertrain technology" given its high profile in the industry. As electrification accelerated, the award's name changed in 2019 from "10 Best Engines" to "10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems."

This year, a panel of WardsAuto judges evaluated 26 powertrains fitted to new vehicles on sale in the United States, assessing output, torque, NVH performance, efficiency and technology before selecting 10 winners.

Hyundai Motor Group's next-generation hybrid system pairs a new dual-motor transmission with a range of engine lineups, allowing it to deliver performance and fuel economy tailored to vehicle class and character. Electrification-specific technologies also enhance driving performance and ride quality. The Palisade hybrid achieves a system peak output of 334 horsepower and a combined fuel economy of 14.1 km/L on 2WD 18-inch wheels, delivering strong efficiency for a full-size SUV.

Drive-performance technologies powered by the electric motor include E-Ride, E-Handling, E-EHA and e-DTVC. Hyundai Motor also fitted a 1.65 kWh, 300-volt lithium-ion battery and added in-vehicle vehicle-to-load and Stay Mode functions, bringing convenience features previously available only in dedicated electric vehicles to the hybrid model.

The Palisade has been on a winning streak: it took the utility vehicle category at the North American Car of the Year awards in January, and was also named the 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year and included in Car and Driver's 2026 10Best Trucks & SUVs list.

"This award reflects the outstanding technological competitiveness of the Palisade 2.5 turbo hybrid powertrain," a Hyundai Motor official said. "Building on the next-generation hybrid system's superior driving performance and exceptional efficiency, we will offer customers an even more enhanced mobility experience."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor launched the 2027 Palisade in August, becoming the first domestic automaker to introduce an SUV-based "high-roof" model. The 2027 Palisade significantly expands the lineup with the high-roof variant alongside a premium special trim called Black Ink and an outdoor-oriented XRT trim, while standardizing key safety and convenience features across trim levels.


eyre@heraldcorp.com