Wondering what to put in your Hyundai Palisade at your next fill-up? You’ve come to the right place. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Hyundai Palisade gas type, from octane requirements to fuel efficiency. Let’s get right to it with clear, straightforward answers that’ll save you money and keep your SUV running perfectly.
Regular Unleaded Is All You Need
The Hyundai Palisade requires regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87. This is excellent news for your wallet! Despite the Palisade’s premium feel and impressive performance, Hyundai designed its 3.8L V6 engine specifically to run efficiently on standard fuel.
According to Hyundai’s official product specifications, regular unleaded fuel is the recommended choice for all Palisade models sold in the United States. The vehicle’s engine and fuel system are optimized for this 87-octane fuel, making premium gas an unnecessary expense.
The Engine Behind the Recommendation
The Hyundai Palisade comes equipped with a Lambda II 3.8L Atkinson-cycle V6 engine in the U.S. market. This powerplant delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque while using regular unleaded fuel.
The engine features:
- Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)
- Dual continuously variable valve timing (D-CVVT)
- 8-speed automatic transmission
- 13:1 compression ratio
These engineering choices allow the Palisade to deliver strong performance without needing higher-octane fuel. Hyundai’s engineers have calibrated the engine’s knock sensors and ECU specifically for 87-octane gas, as confirmed by dealership technical information.
Premium Gas: Save Your Money
You might wonder if premium gas could boost your Palisade’s performance. The short answer: it won’t.
Unlike turbocharged engines that can sometimes benefit from higher octane, the Palisade’s naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 doesn’t adjust its ignition timing or performance parameters based on fuel grade. This means paying extra for premium gas is literally pouring money down your fuel tank.
Dynamometer tests have shown no measurable power gains when using premium fuel in the Palisade. The Palisade’s engine control unit is specifically calibrated for 87-octane fuel, and using higher octane provides no benefits.
Fuel Tank Capacity and Range
The Hyundai Palisade comes with an 18.8-gallon fuel tank, giving you impressive range between fill-ups. Here’s what you can expect:
| Drive Configuration | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | 357-489 miles |
| All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | 357-451 miles |
These EPA estimates are based on using regular 87-octane fuel. Your actual mileage may vary depending on driving habits, terrain, and weather conditions.
Regional Fuel Variations
If you drive your Palisade outside the United States, fuel recommendations might differ slightly due to regional fuel standards.
For instance, in Malaysia, Hyundai recommends 95 RON gasoline (roughly equivalent to 91 AKI octane in the U.S.). This difference stems from regional fuel formulations and emissions regulations rather than mechanical differences in the engine.
Australian and Malaysian markets also offer a 2.2L CRDi diesel engine variant, which requires ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel. However, this diesel option isn’t available in North America.
Towing and Heavy Loads
When towing with your Palisade near its 5,000-pound maximum capacity (with trailer brakes), Hyundai still recommends using regular 87-octane fuel.
Some vehicles require premium fuel when towing heavy loads, but the Palisade isn’t one of them. Its engine is designed to handle towing stress while running on regular gasoline. User reports on Reddit confirm consistent performance when towing with regular fuel.
High-Altitude Considerations
If you’re driving in mountainous regions above 5,000 feet elevation, you might notice 85-octane fuel available at gas stations. At high altitudes, lower atmospheric pressure reduces the risk of engine knock, making this lower-octane fuel acceptable.
According to dealer technical guidelines, Hyundai permits using 85-octane fuel in high-altitude conditions, aligning with SAE industry standards. This can save you a few cents per gallon in places like Colorado, Utah, and other mountainous states.
Fuel Efficiency Tricks for Your Palisade
Want to maximize your fuel economy? Try these proven techniques:
- Maintain steady speeds – Frequent acceleration and braking drastically reduce efficiency
- Use cruise control on highways to maintain consistent speed
- Check tire pressure monthly (the Palisade has a convenient tire pressure monitoring system)
- Remove excess weight from your vehicle
- Reduce drag by removing roof racks when not in use
- Plan efficient routes to minimize unnecessary driving
- Keep up with maintenance – clean air filters and fresh oil improve efficiency
The Palisade’s aerodynamic design (with a drag coefficient of 0.33) helps maximize efficiency, according to Hyundai’s specifications. Some international models also feature idle stop-and-go (ISG) systems, though this is absent in U.S. models.
Long-Term Engine Health
Some drivers worry that using regular gas might affect engine longevity. Rest assured that Hyundai designed and warrants the Palisade’s engine specifically for 87-octane fuel.
There’s zero evidence that regular fuel accelerates engine wear in the Palisade. In fact, using the manufacturer-recommended fuel is the best way to ensure your engine remains in top condition. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has no reports of fuel-related issues with the Palisade when owners use the recommended 87-octane gasoline.
The E15 and E85 Question
Can the Palisade use ethanol-blended fuels like E15 or E85? Here’s what you need to know:
- E10 (10% ethanol): Perfectly fine and is actually the standard “regular” gas at most U.S. pumps
- E15 (15% ethanol): Safe for model years 2001 and newer, including all Palisades
- E85 (85% ethanol): Not recommended unless your vehicle is specifically labeled as “Flex Fuel” capable (the Palisade is not)
The Palisade isn’t designed as a flex-fuel vehicle, so stick with standard E10 gasoline for best results. Using E85 in a non-flex-fuel vehicle can cause reduced performance, poorer fuel economy, and potentially engine damage.
Common Fuel Myths Debunked
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about the Hyundai Palisade’s fuel needs:
Myth 1: Premium gas gives better performance
Reality: The Palisade’s ECU is calibrated specifically for 87-octane fuel and won’t extract additional performance from premium gas.
Myth 2: Higher octane means better gas mileage
Reality: With the Palisade’s engine design, 87-octane provides optimal efficiency. Premium gas won’t improve your MPG.
Myth 3: Premium fuel keeps your engine cleaner
Reality: Both regular and premium fuels contain the same detergent packages as required by EPA regulations.
Myth 4: Switching between fuel grades damages your engine
Reality: Modern engines like the Palisade’s can adapt seamlessly to different octane ratings within their acceptable range.
Diesel Palisade Versions (International Only)
While North American customers only have the gasoline option, it’s worth noting that some international markets offer a diesel Palisade variant.
In markets like Australia, the Palisade is available with a 2.2L CRDi diesel engine that produces impressive torque (440 Nm) for enhanced towing capability. These diesel variants require ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel and are B7 compatible (meaning they can use diesel with up to 7% biodiesel content).
The Bottom Line on Hyundai Palisade Gas Type
The Hyundai Palisade requires regular unleaded 87-octane gasoline in North America. Using premium fuel won’t improve performance, fuel economy, or engine longevity—it’ll just cost you more at the pump.
Hyundai engineered this impressive SUV to deliver its full 291 horsepower and smooth driving experience using affordable regular fuel. The 18.8-gallon tank and decent fuel economy (up to 26 MPG highway for FWD models) give you a generous driving range between fill-ups.
Follow your owner’s manual recommendations, keep up with regular maintenance, and enjoy the perfect balance of performance and practicality that makes the Palisade such a popular choice among three-row SUVs.
