2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse near Wausau, WI
2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse
The three-row SUV segment asks families to choose between brawn, brains, and comfort. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade brings all three together with a larger cabin, available hybrid power, advanced safety innovations, and thoughtful convenience touches that address real-world needs. Chevrolet answers with the latest Traverse, a capable, tech-forward SUV with available Super Cruise® and best-in-class cargo volume. The moment you compare 2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse feature by feature, the difference in everyday livability is unmistakable. Palisade introduces segment-rare additions such as an available UV-C sterilization compartment, a factory-built Dash Cam, and Relaxation Seats, alongside HTRAC® All-Wheel Drive with new Mud, Sand, and Snow modes. Families shopping near Wausau, WI will appreciate how Palisade pairs quiet refinement with easy-to-use controls, power-folding seating, and integrated towing confidence. At our store, we highlight what matters on the school run and the weekend road trip, from powertrain options to cabin usability for all three rows. That is why shoppers from Plover and Wisconsin Rapids end up gravitating to our showroom, where we present compelling side-by-side comparisons and test-drive routes that mirror how households actually drive.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Available hybrid powertrain | Yes | No |
| Built-in dual-camera Dash Cam | Yes | No |
| UV-C sterilization compartment | Yes | No |
| Relaxation Seats (first- and second-row) | Yes | No |
| Ten airbags including third-row pretensioners | Yes | No |
| Dedicated Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain modes | Yes | No |
| Hyundai Digital Key 2.0 Premium smartphone key | Yes | No |
| Over-the-Air software updates | Yes | No |
| Fascia-concealed OEM tow hitch (select trims) | Yes | No |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | Yes | No |
Exterior - Hyundai Dealer serving Wausau, WI
Palisade’s design makes a confident first impression and then gets smarter the closer you look. A vertical LED DRL signature frames a bold grille with active lower shutters, contributing to an impressive 0.31 Cd—remarkably low for a three-row SUV. The stance is stronger thanks to a more upright A-pillar and increased wheelbase, and the rear view integrates a wide high-mounted stop lamp with vertical taillamps and integrated roof rails for visual harmony. Wheel designs up to 21 inches underline the premium presence. Traverse leans into bolder sheetmetal too, offering distinct personalities across trims like Z71, RS, and High Country, and special Midnight and Sport Editions with blackout cues. Both SUVs wear their identities well, but the Hyundai’s proportion changes pay dividends inside and out, improving ingress and egress while projecting a flagship aura. For those who play beyond the pavement, Palisade’s new XRT PRO model looks the part and brings function—unique front fascia, exposed recovery hooks, 18-inch dark-finish wheels with all-terrain tires, and blacked-out exterior accents. Drivers near Wausau, WI value vehicles that read as premium without being flashy; Palisade’s refined surfacing, clean light signatures, and purposeful aero find that balance consistently.
Interior - 2026 Hyundai Palisade near Wausau, WI
Step into a space designed around people first. Palisade’s cabin grows in every key dimension, anchored by a panoramic, curved dual 12.3-inch display, premium soft-touch surfaces, and intuitive physical switchgear where it counts. Available first- and second-row Relaxation Seats with deployable leg supports transform long drives into restorative time, while available second- and third-row heating, ventilation for the second row, and power-folding controls accessible from the cargo area make reconfiguring the cabin genuinely effortless. All three rows get access to 100-watt USB-C ports, and the wireless charging pad adds active cooling for devices to keep performance consistent. Families near Wausau, WI routinely ask about third-row ingress and visibility; Palisade’s more upright D-pillars and larger side glass brighten the back row, and the one-touch second-row tilt-and-slide function helps kids and adults step in with less effort. Traverse counters with a roomy layout, bench or captain’s chair options, and impressive 98 cu. ft. max cargo capacity, plus standard 17.7-inch infotainment. Yet the everyday touches that reduce clutter and stress—like Palisade’s double-door center stack storage, available UV-C sterilization compartment, and full-display digital rearview mirror—push the Hyundai to the top of families’ short lists.
Hyundai Palisade vs Chevrolet Traverse Mechanical Specs
The Palisade is engineered to feel planted, quiet, and secure. Strategic use of Advanced High Strength Steel strengthens critical load paths while reducing weight, and comprehensive sound insulation—laminated windshield and front side glass, tuned powertrain mounts, and specialized carpets—reduces road harshness to a hush. The available HTRAC® system adds Tow Mode and the new Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain settings, with wide-range torque distribution to maximize traction in the conditions families encounter most often. XRT PRO further elevates confidence with an eLSD, 8.4 inches of ground clearance, improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, and Downhill Brake Control. Traverse responds with standard 5,000-pound towing, an available twin-clutch AWD on Z71, Hill Descent Control, and Terrain Mode. For daily driving, however, the Hyundai’s broader chassis tuning and greater variety of terrain modes deliver more nuanced control when weather turns, dirt roads get rutted, or trailheads require a little extra stability. It is this nuance that stands out in 2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse test drives, especially when pavement gives way to gravel or slush.
Powertrain - Hyundai Dealership near Wausau, WI
The powertrain lineup delivers meaningful choice. The new hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with two motors integrated into a six-speed automatic for up to an estimated 329 horsepower and 339 lb.-ft. of torque. It targets an internally estimated range up to 619 miles and brings an EV-like Stay Mode for extended use of HVAC and infotainment while parked. The naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, matched to an 8-speed automatic, is smooth and quiet, with an estimated 287 horsepower and towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. By contrast, Traverse uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine rated up to 328 horsepower and 326 lb.-ft., backed by an 8-speed and standard 5,000-pound towing with trailering equipment included. Both tow with confidence, but only Palisade offers a hybrid that blends robust output with highway-cruising range, an advantage for families planning longer treks or minimizing fuel stops on busy weekends. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade lineup’s breadth—two- or all-wheel drive, ICE or hybrid, plus XRT PRO for adventure—makes it easier to tailor capability to how your household actually drives, from school weeks to vacation caravans.
Safety - Hyundai Palisade vs Chevrolet Traverse
Palisade adds meaningful safety advancements where others stop. Ten standard airbags now include third-row seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters—rare in the segment—and an Advanced Rear Occupant Alert with discreet headliner sensor keeps watch after you lock the vehicle. A first for Hyundai, the built-in, two-camera Dash Cam can capture continuously while driving and automatically record events while parked, with clips viewable on the head unit or exportable via the glovebox MicroSD. The SmartSense suite continues with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Following Assist, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and available Remote Smart Parking Assist. Connectivity also helps safety and convenience: Bluelink® with wireless OTA updates keeps core systems current, while the available full-display digital rearview mirror improves visibility when cargo blocks the back window. Traverse counters with Chevy Safety Assist and over 20 standard safety and driver assistance features, plus available HD Surround Vision and Super Cruise®. For many families, the combination of Palisade’s added airbags, Dash Cam, and third-row pretensioners sets a higher bar for comprehensive protection in the 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
Request more 2026 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse near Wausau, WI information
We built this comparison around what matters day to day: comfort across all three rows, stress-reducing tech, smooth and confident dynamics, and flexible powertrains. Palisade’s available hybrid, broader terrain capability, additional airbags with rare third-row pretensioners, integrated Dash Cam, and thoughtful cabin details stack up to an ownership experience that simply feels easier. Traverse remains a strong entrant with excellent cargo capacity, available Super Cruise®, and smart packaging, but it skips features families quickly appreciate after a week in the Hyundai. For local drivers near Wausau, WI, test drives confirm the Palisade’s quiet refinement and smart ergonomics, and the feature mix keeps up with busy lives in changing weather. Our team at Stevens Point Auto Center will help you zero in on the right trim—whether you want the serene daily-drive feel of Limited or Calligraphy or the added trail confidence of XRT PRO—and tailor HTRAC® AWD for Wisconsin seasons. Visit our showroom to see the details up close and take the route we recommend to highlight ride quality, lane-keeping confidence, and easy third-row access. This is where Palisade’s advantages become obvious, and where our product specialists focus on solutions that fit your routines.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes options; taxes; title; registration; delivery, processing and handling fee; dealer charges. Dealer sets actual selling price. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at 715-344-4100 or by visiting us at the dealership. For more information on America’s Best Warranty, click here.
*Any MPG listed is based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.