2026 Hyundai Palisade | Sport Durst Hyundai, Durham NC
Captain's Seats by Trim: Gas and Hybrid
2026 Palisade Gas Trims
| Trim | Starting MSRP* | 2nd Row Seating | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $40,430 | Bench seat | 8 passengers |
| SEL | $42,665 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| SEL Plus | $45,985 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| XRT | $48,315 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| XRT Pro | $50,865 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| Limited | $53,085 | Captain's chairs (heated+ventilated) | 7 passengers |
| Calligraphy | $55,555 | Captain's chairs (heated+ventilated) | 7 passengers |
*Starting MSRP before taxes, title, fees, and options. Contact Sport Durst Hyundai for current pricing.
2026 Palisade Hybrid Trims
| Trim | Starting MSRP* | 2nd Row Seating | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid SE Blue | $44,045 | Bench seat | 8 passengers |
| Hybrid SEL Blue | $45,155 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| Hybrid SEL Plus Blue | $48,475 | Captain's chairs | 7 passengers |
| Hybrid Limited Blue | $55,575 | Captain's chairs (heated+ventilated) | 7 passengers |
| Hybrid Calligraphy Blue | $57,775 | Captain's chairs (heated+ventilated) | 7 passengers |
*Starting MSRP before taxes, title, fees, and options. Hybrid trims identified by "Blue" suffix. Contact Sport Durst Hyundai for current pricing.
What You Get With Captain's Chairs
Two Individual Seats, a Console Between Them, and a Clear Path to the Third Row
Second-row captain's chairs replace the standard bench with two individual bucket seats separated by a center console and arm rests. The space between the seats forms a walkthrough passage to the third row, so passengers can move between rows without folding a seat forward or climbing over anyone.
For Durham and Triangle families using the Palisade as a school pickup vehicle, a ride-share to a Durham Bulls game, or a trip to Eno River State Park with a full SUV, the center walkthrough is the practical difference. Loading children into the third row no longer requires a yoga move.
- Two individual bucket seats in the second row
- Center console with arm rests between seats
- Walkthrough access to the third row, no seat folding
- 7-passenger total capacity (vs. 8 with bench)
Limited and Calligraphy Trims
Heated and Ventilated Captain's Chairs in the Top Four Trims
From the Limited trim up (gas and hybrid), the second-row captain's chairs add individual heating and ventilation. North Carolina summers make this feature worth naming: ventilated rear seats mean passengers stay comfortable on the commute down I-40 in July.
The Calligraphy trim, Hyundai's top Palisade configuration, adds Nappa leather upholstery to the captain's chairs across all three rows. The Limited Blue Hybrid and Calligraphy Blue Hybrid both include heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs combined with 34 mpg combined (FWD). That combination is not available on the 2026 Kia Telluride.
- Heated second-row captain's chairs: Limited, Calligraphy (gas + hybrid)
- Ventilated second-row captain's chairs: Limited, Calligraphy (gas + hybrid)
- Nappa leather: Calligraphy only
- All hybrid trims except Hybrid SE: captain's chairs standard
When the Bench Seat Makes Sense
Need 8 Seats? The SE Has You Covered — and It Costs $40,430 MSRP
The base 2026 Palisade SE starts at $40,430 MSRP and is the only gas trim with a standard bench seat. It seats eight passengers. If an extended family carpool, a church van run from Durham to Chapel Hill, or transporting a travel sports team is the use case, the SE's 8-seat bench configuration is the trim to look at.
The Hybrid SE (Blue) also has a bench seat, starting at $44,045 MSRP. It returns an estimated 34 mpg combined with 8-seat capacity — a combination that does not exist anywhere in the 2026 Kia Telluride lineup, which has no hybrid option at all this model year.
- SE gas: bench seat, 8 passengers, $40,430 MSRP*
- Hybrid SE Blue: bench seat, 8 passengers, $44,045 MSRP*
- Hybrid SE Blue: 34 mpg combined (FWD), 8-seat capacity
- No other Palisade trim has a bench seat as standard
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 2026 Palisade trims have captain's chairs as standard?
All gas trims except the base SE include second-row captain's chairs as standard. That means: SEL, SEL Plus, XRT, XRT Pro, Limited, and Calligraphy. On the hybrid side: Hybrid SEL (Blue), Hybrid SEL Plus (Blue), Hybrid Limited (Blue), and Hybrid Calligraphy (Blue). The base SE (gas) and Hybrid SE (Blue) come with a bench seat.
Can I get 8 seats and captain's chairs in the same Palisade?
No. The 2026 Palisade offers either 7-passenger captain's chairs or 8-passenger bench seating in the second row. These are two separate configurations and cannot be combined. Captain's chairs take the space that the bench occupies, and there is no third-party retrofit from Hyundai for this vehicle. If you need 8 seats, the SE (gas) or Hybrid SE (Blue) are the correct trims.
Do the captain's chairs have arm rests?
Yes. Second-row captain's chairs in the 2026 Palisade include arm rests on both the inboard and outboard sides of each seat. The center console sits between the two captain's chairs, and each seat has a fold-down inboard arm rest. Outboard arm rests are integrated into the door panels.
Are there captain's seats on the 2026 Palisade Hybrid?
Yes. Four of the five Hybrid trims include second-row captain's chairs: Hybrid SEL Blue, Hybrid SEL Plus Blue, Hybrid Limited Blue, and Hybrid Calligraphy Blue. Only the base Hybrid SE Blue has a bench seat. If you want a hybrid Palisade with captain's chairs, start with the Hybrid SEL Blue at $45,155 MSRP.
Can I see the Palisade captain's chairs in person at Sport Durst Hyundai?
Yes. Sport Durst Hyundai stocks multiple 2026 Palisade trims at 4507 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in Durham, NC. Call (919) 873-4783 to confirm which captain's-chair trims are in stock, or browse current inventory at sportdursthyundai.com. Showroom hours are Mon-Sat 9am-8pm and Sun Noon-6pm.
*MSRP figures are starting MSRP and do not include taxes, title, license, destination, or dealer fees. Seating configurations and available features verified for MY2026 as of June 2026. Bench seating availability on specific trim levels should be confirmed with a Sport Durst Hyundai sales representative at time of purchase, as production configurations may vary. America's Best Warranty: See sportdursthyundai.com or your dealer for complete warranty details. Vehicle photos are illustrative and may require image upload at CMS publish time.
