2026 Hyundai Palisade SE vs SEL: What the SEL Adds

2026 Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV available in SE and SEL trims at Ontario Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade SEL adds comfort and convenience equipment the SE does not offer. Inside, that means H-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, heated front seats with an eight-way power driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a wireless device charging pad. Outside, it means a hands-free smart liftgate, roof rails, and rear side-window sunshades. The SEL also opens up a seating choice the SE cannot match. It is available with either the eight-passenger bench or seven-passenger second-row captain’s chairs, both at the same starting price.

Both trims share the same mechanical package. That makes the decision between them entirely about the cabin. The SE is a genuinely well-equipped base trim. It serves buyers who want three rows, eight seats, and the full standard safety suite at the lowest entry point. The SEL is the trim for families who want the daily-use conveniences that make school runs and grocery loads easier.

Contact Our Sales Team

Browse New Palisade Inventory

2026 Palisade SE vs SEL: Side-by-Side Comparison

Specification	2026 Palisade SE	2026 Palisade SEL
Starting MSRP (FWD)	$41,035	$43,540
Engine	3.5L V6	3.5L V6
Horsepower / Torque	287 hp / 260 lb-ft	287 hp / 260 lb-ft
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain	FWD standard, HTRAC AWD available	FWD standard, HTRAC AWD available
EPA-Estimated MPG (FWD)	19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined	19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined
EPA-Estimated MPG (AWD)	18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined	18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined
Fuel tank capacity	19 gallons	19 gallons
Maximum towing	5,000 lbs with trailer brakes	5,000 lbs with trailer brakes
Seating capacity	8 passengers	7 or 8 passengers
Second row	60/40 split fold-flat bench	60/40 bench or captain’s chairs
Seating surfaces	Cloth	H-Tex leatherette
Driver’s seat	6-way manual	8-way power
Heated front seats	Not available	Standard
Wireless device charging	Not available	Standard
Hands-free smart liftgate	Not available	Standard
Rear side-window sunshades	Not available	Standard
Touchscreen	12.3-inch with navigation	12.3-inch with navigation
Instrument cluster	4.2-inch color display	12.3-inch digital cluster
Roof rails	Not available	Standard
Auto-dimming rearview mirror	Not available	Standard
Side-mirror turn signal indicators	Not available	Standard
Rear Occupant Alert	Rear Occupant Alert	Advanced Rear Occupant Alert
Hyundai SmartSense safety suite	Standard	Standard
Highway Driving Assist	Standard	Standard

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

What Are the Interior Feature Differences Between the 2026 Palisade SE and SEL?

Seating and upholstery

The primary interior differences are seating material, front-seat adjustment, and seating layout flexibility. The SE comes in an eight-passenger configuration with cloth upholstery and a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The SEL upgrades to H-Tex leatherette surfaces. It adds heated front seats and an eight-way power driver’s seat, and it offers second-row captain’s chairs as an alternative to the bench.

That seating choice is the most consequential difference between the two. In the SE, second-row access relies on a 60/40 split fold-flat bench, which seats three across the middle row and works well for larger families. The SEL keeps that bench as one option and adds a seven-passenger layout with captain’s chairs, creating a center aisle to the third row. For Etiwanda parents loading and unloading children twice a day, that aisle changes the daily routine more than any other feature on this list.

Cabin technology

Both trims share the same 12.3-inch touchscreen with onboard navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so the center screen is not a reason to step up. The driver’s display is. The SE uses a 4.2-inch color multi-information display between analog-style gauges, while the SEL fits a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that pairs with the touchscreen for a single wide dash surface. The SEL also adds a wireless device charging pad in the center console, which keeps phones topped off without cords across the console.

Convenience and exterior details

The convenience gap shows up at the tailgate, the roof, and the windows. The SEL’s hands-free smart liftgate opens without touching it, with quick-open and adjustable height settings. Roof rails open up rooftop cargo carriers and crossbars. The second-row side-window sunshades block afternoon sun on westbound drives. The SEL also adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror and turn signal indicators in the side mirrors. None of these are available on the SE.

Want to see how these cabins compare against the rest of the range? Our 2026 Hyundai Palisade overview walks through the full model. The complete 2026 Palisade trim and pricing lineup covers all seven gas trims.

What Engine, Drivetrain, and Transmission Options Power the 2026 Palisade SE and SEL?

Engine and transmission

Both the SE and SEL come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on both, and Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel Drive is available on either trim for an additional cost.

The V6 delivers steady, predictable power for freeway merges and highway cruising with a full load of passengers. The eight-speed uses a shift-by-wire setup that frees up center console storage.

Drivetrain and drive modes

Drive Mode Select is standard on both trims with Eco, Sport, and My Drive settings. Choosing HTRAC All-Wheel Drive adds Terrain Mode Select with dedicated Snow, Mud, and Sand modes.

Towing

Properly equipped, both the SE and SEL are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes. Both also include Trailer Sway Control and trailering pre-wiring as standard equipment.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

Shoppers often ask whether a hybrid is available at this end of the lineup. It is, but as a separate model. The Palisade Hybrid is its own lineup with a 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain. It starts at the SEL grade rather than being reserved for top trims.

What Safety Features and Fuel Economy Do Both Trims Deliver?

Standard safety and driver assistance

Safety equipment is very close between these two trims. Both the SE and SEL carry the full Hyundai SmartSense suite as standard. The 2026 Palisade also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. That award applies only to vehicles built after November 2025.

The one difference is the rear-seat reminder system. The SE uses the door-logic Rear Occupant Alert, while the SEL upgrades to Advanced Rear Occupant Alert with ultrasonic sensors. Everything below is standard on both trims:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, junction turning, and driver oncoming

Blind-Spot Collision Warning

Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Forward Attention Warning

Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Curve Control

Highway Driving Assist

Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, plus forward and reverse Parking Distance Warning

Driver-assistance and advanced safety systems are supplemental aids and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. Availability, operation, and effectiveness vary by trim and equipment and depend on factors including road, weather, traffic, and vehicle condition. Always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. See your owner’s manual for system limitations and details.

Fuel economy

On fuel economy, both trims post identical numbers. Front-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated at 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Every trim carries a 19-gallon fuel tank, which keeps stops manageable for Fontana Gateway commuters running the Interstate 10 corridor daily.

EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.

What Should You Check on a 2026 Palisade Before You Buy?

Three things are worth confirming on any specific vehicle on the lot, because they vary unit to unit rather than by trim.

Check the build date

The 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award applies only to Palisades built after November 2025. Hyundai revised the rear seat belt buckles at that point. IIHS rated the earlier build acceptable rather than good in the updated moderate overlap front test. The manufacture date is on the certification label, typically affixed to the driver’s door or the adjacent B-pillar.

Check the second-row configuration

Because the SEL is offered as both a seven-passenger and an eight-passenger vehicle at the same starting price, two SELs on the same lot can seat different numbers of people. Confirm which one you are looking at.

Check the drivetrain

HTRAC All-Wheel Drive adds $2,000 to either trim. It also changes the fuel economy ratings and unlocks the Terrain Mode settings.

If a trade-in is part of the plan, you can value your trade online before visiting and bring a figure with you.

Which 2026 Palisade Trim Should You Choose?

Choose the SE if

Your priority is three rows, eight seats, and the complete standard safety suite at the lowest entry price. Nothing about the SE is a step down from the SEL on powertrain, towing, fuel economy, driver-assistance equipment, or infotainment.

Choose the SEL if

The cabin matters. Heated front seats and an eight-way power driver’s seat change every drive. The hands-free liftgate earns its place the first time your hands are full, and the leatherette surfaces hold up better to family use than cloth. The strongest argument for the SEL, though, is the seating choice. This is the point in the lineup where captain’s chairs become available, and they cost nothing over the eight-passenger version of the same trim. If you want captain’s chairs and easier third-row access, the SEL is the least expensive way to get them.

Shoppers who want ventilated seats, a sunroof, or a heated steering wheel should look further up the range. Our comparison of the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy and XRT Pro covers the top of the lineup.

Common Questions About the 2026 Hyundai Palisade SE and SEL

What is the main difference between the Palisade SE and SEL seating?

The 2026 Palisade SE offers eight-passenger seating with cloth upholstery and a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The SEL upgrades to H-Tex leatherette upholstery with heated front seats and an eight-way power driver’s seat, and it offers the choice between an eight-passenger bench and a seven-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs at the same starting price.

Does the 2026 Palisade SE or SEL offer a hybrid or turbocharged engine?

No. The 2026 Palisade SE and SEL are powered exclusively by a 3.5-liter V6 producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai offers a hybrid powertrain in the separate Palisade Hybrid lineup, which begins at the SEL grade.

Is HTRAC All-Wheel Drive available on the Palisade SE trim?

Yes. HTRAC All-Wheel Drive is available on both the SE and SEL for an additional $2,000. Front-wheel drive is standard on both trims, and adding all-wheel drive also adds Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Mud, and Sand settings.

What is the maximum towing capacity for the 2026 Palisade SE and SEL?

When properly equipped, both the 2026 Palisade SE and SEL are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes. Both trims include Trailer Sway Control and trailering pre-wiring as standard equipment.

How long is the warranty coverage on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

Every 2026 Palisade includes a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year or 60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and 5 years of unlimited-mileage 24/7 roadside assistance.

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Warranty coverage depends on the specific terms of your vehicle’s warranty agreement. Consult your owner’s manual or a qualified legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.

Compare Both Trims at Ontario Hyundai

Not sure whether the value of the SE or the added comfort of the SEL fits your family better? Our team at Ontario Hyundai can walk you through both cabins side by side at 1307 Kettering Dr in Ontario. Call our sales team at (888) 653-8231 with questions about current availability.