2021 Hyundai Palisade — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is an SUV powered by a 3.8L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 25–26 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Hyundai Palisade workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 Hyundai Palisade: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.8L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 253 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 4 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, all with the 3.8L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 22 mpg (US), or 25 to 26 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/24) | 265 | $3,200 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 253 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Running Costs: 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 Hyundai Palisade at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 Hyundai Palisade Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Hyundai Palisade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Seat belts (1), Visibility/wiper (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 26V034000, reported 23 January 2026. Risk: Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Seat belts — campaign 25V607000, reported 12 September 2025. Risk: Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Visibility/wiper — campaign 23V180000, reported 17 March 2023. Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Trailer hitches — campaign 22V633000, reported 18 August 2022. Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Showing the 4 most recent of 6 campaigns.
Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The most-reported areas are Seat belts (110), Unspecified (83), Engine (59). Complaints include 8 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 20 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 387 complaints across the 7 Hyundai Palisade model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign · 110 owner complaints) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
- Engine (59 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (55 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Hyundai Palisade compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Hyundai models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2021 Hyundai Palisade's 26 mpg is 8 mpg below that make average. Its 253 g/km CO₂ figure is 46 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Hyundai average.
Of the 7 Hyundai Palisade model years we cover, the 2021 is the most economical on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined). See every Hyundai Palisade year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have?
It's fitted with a 3.8L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 25 to 26 mpg.
How much does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Hyundai Palisade (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Seat belts (1), Visibility/wiper (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Among the 440 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Seat belts (110 complaints), Unspecified (83 complaints), Engine (59 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Hyundai Palisade's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.