Does the Hyundai Palisade Have Enough Power for Saudi Roads and Highway Drives?

Saudi Arabia: Yes, and this is where the all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade surprises most buyers. Forget the old 3.5L and 3.8L V6 engines; the new generation Palisade runs a 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder T-GDI petrol engine producing around 277 hp and 421 Nm of torque. And on top of that, a hybrid version is now available in Saudi Arabia, pairing the same turbo engine with an electric motor system for a combined approximately 329 hp. The current model is a meaningfully different car from its predecessor, and the powertrain is one of its biggest improvements.

Two Engines

Spec	2.5L T-GDI (Petrol)	2.5L T-GDI Hybrid (HEV)
Engine	2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder	2.5L Turbo + dual electric motors
Total Power	277 hp	329 hp
Torque	421 Nm	~460 Nm (combined)
Transmission	8-speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic
Drive Options	2WD or 4WD	2WD or 4WD
Est. Range	~700 km per tank	1,000+ km (claimed)

The petrol T-GDI gives 421 Nm of torque, which is a significant improvement in torque output over the old V6s, especially with the turbocharged delivery that builds torque low in the rev range. In Riyadh's stop-start traffic or getting onto Jeddah's Corniche motorway, the turbo engine has a noticeably quicker response than a naturally aspirated V6.

The Hybrid

Saudi petrol is cheap, so fuel savings alone may not be the main reason to choose the hybrid. But 329 hp in a full-size family SUV is real performance, and the system comes with benefits beyond just economy.

• Stay Mode: It runs the cabin AC while parked without the engine running, important in Saudi summer temperatures that can hit 47°C.
• Vehicle to Load: Power devices from the boot, useful on trips to Al-Ula or the Asir mountains.
• Instant torque: One benefit of its electric motors is that they fill power gaps immediately, making city driving smoother and quieter.
• 1,000+ km claimed range: Even if real-world figures are lower, this suits Saudi Arabia's long inter-city highway runs.

The hybrid uses a 6-speed automatic versus the petrol's 8-speed. In everyday driving the difference is minimal.

How It Compares to the Old V6 Generation

Buyers familiar with the previous Palisade's V6 engines will notice the change. The new 2.5L turbo is lighter, more fuel-efficient, and produces more torque than either of the old V6 options. The Smartstream T-GDI unit is proven across multiple Hyundai models and tuned here for the heavier, larger Palisade body.

What works well:

• Strong low-end torque, confident overtaking on King Fahd Road or the Makkah–Madinah highway
• Quieter at highway cruise compared to the old V6
• Better fuel efficiency than the outgoing naturally aspirated engines

What to keep in mind:

• Turbocharged engines in extreme heat need diligent oil maintenance; stick to the service schedule
• The hybrid's 6-speed gearbox is tuned for efficiency rather than sportiness, though most drivers won't notice

Fuel 

The 2.5L T-GDI runs on 91 octane, with no need for premium fuel, and gives approximate highway mileage of around 11–12 km/l. The hybrid improves significantly on that. For buyers doing frequent long runs between Riyadh and Dammam or Jeddah and Makkah, the hybrid's efficiency edge matters even with low fuel prices.

Final Word

The new Palisade's powertrain is a genuine step forward, with more torque, more technology, and a proper hybrid option now available in Saudi Arabia. The 2.5L turbo petrol is perfectly suitable for most families in Riyadh or Jeddah. The hybrid makes sense for high-mileage drivers, buyers wanting peak performance, or anyone who values Stay Mode during long Saudi summers. Both are better than what the old generation offered.

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