No Spare Tire?

[Trooper]

I've been car shopping for a 3-row SUV and really like the new Hyundai Palisades hybrid. It has lots of safety and comfort features, lots of tech, and a smooth quiet ride. However, it doesn't have a spare tire...at all. Instead, it comes with a "Tire Mobility Kit" which is basically sealant and a small compressor to fill the tire until it can be repaired.

I've been struggling with whether this is a deal breaker. We are in the market for a larger SUV because of the longer road trips we take. Destinations include remote mountain areas of AZ and, in the summer, Central Coast of CA...which involves crossing the AZ and CA deserts in July. Around town it wouldn't be a huge issue as we could always call AAA for assistance.

Options are going to another vehicle like a Toyota Grand Highlander, but even that (and other SUVs) only come with a donut-sized spare. I could stow a full-size spare (and jack) in the cargo area but then that would greatly cut down available cargo space. I'm also researching the practicality of an after-market under-chassis mount, but I'm currently unclear whether there's enough room for a full-size spare there.

Looking for your thoughts as to what I should do.

 

[jazz4cash]

I used to say do you really need a spare? Then my niece had a flat on her Hyundai with “run flat” tires. It was an odd size not available and interrupted her honeymoon. I bought a used Cadillac and experienced a flat while on vacation. Fortunately, it had a spare and Cadillac sent a guy to install it.
I wouldn’t consider it a deal breaker, though. Is there at least storage for a spare?
Would this help?

2026 Hyundai Palisade Spare Tire

Space saver compact spare tire kit for 2026 Hyundai Palisade models.

sparetire.com

 

[disneysteve]

I'm fine with a donut spare. I am not okay with no spare. That would be a deal breaker for me. I've had way too many flat tires over the years to ever risk driving around without a spare.

 

[Ronstar]

I used to have a corvette. No spare, just a plug kit and mini compressor. I didn’t feel comfortable driving to remote locations or at night because of the “what if I get a flat tire?”. I got rid of the car partially because of this.

And I don’t like the donut spares either. I now drive an F150 and a Jeep Wrangler. Both have full size spares that are easy to get to and change a flat tire.

That said, I see 2 options for OP.

Option 1 - go with the donut - should be ok under most conditions.

Option 2 - get a full size spare for the cargo area and a roof top cargo carrier if you need extra cargo space due to cargo space taken up by the full size spare.

 

[Trooper]

Is there at least storage for a spare?
Would this help?

2026 Hyundai Palisade Spare Tire

Space saver compact spare tire kit for 2026 Hyundai Palisade models.

sparetire.com

Thanks - I've seen these as well. We really pack up the car when on long trips - dogs, coolers, etc, so not a lot of extra room I the cargo area. Maybe we need to rethink that.

 

[COcheesehead]

In my lifetime of driving I have only had one flat and that was 35 years ago.
Carry a couple cans of fix a flat

 

[MRG]

Last time I attempted to change a tire 911 was involved. It was less fun than it sounds. Although the look of relief when the emt saw I wasn't seriously injured was pretty special.

 

[Car-Guy]

I was okay without a having a spare in my Corvettes since they all had run flats. I was even okay with the small donut spares on some of my cars too but I never liked the emergency repair kits. It's 50/50 chance (at best) that they can "seal the deal". (no pun intended) If you can't get run flats or at least a donut spare, I personally wouldn't take the car on a road trip.

 

[zinger1457]

I think all Hyundai hybrid models come without a spare, the non-hybrid versions should have a spare.

 

[Al18]

I've owned two Hyundai Elantra's, the most recent was a 2015. No spare tire, just an air compressor. I sold it after 11 years and never had a flat.

 

[jazz4cash]

My first job out of college I worked testing the donut spares. Prior to that some cars had a spare with no air and a can of compressed air. I am really surprised they don’t design a space to stow your own spare. Auto mfrs wanna save $ but also trim weight to improve mpg. I do see youtube videos woth 2026 Palisade underbody spare tire storage. Maybe hybrid/EV versions claim that space for batteries.

 

[Trooper]

I think all Hyundai hybrid models come without a spare, the non-hybrid versions should have a spare.

This is true; the non-hybrids have donuts.

 

[GenXguy]

I'm had to put on spare tires various times in my life. I would definitely consider that a big strike against a particular car purchase if it didn't have a spare while other decent alternatives did have one.

 

[badatmath]

As someone who has had more flats than I can remember (and who isn't going off road) . . . absolutely not. I don't even drive a lot - just a lot of crap on the roads.

 

[REWahoo]

Anyone else open this thread expecting a discussion about weight loss drugs?

 

[Trooper]

I'm had to put on spare tires various times in my life. I would definitely consider that a big strike against a particular car purchase if it didn't have a spare while other decent alternatives did have one.

Even if they were donut tires?

 

[GenXguy]

Even if they were donut tires?

I'm OK with doughnut tires - my car has one. And I've had to put it on.

 

[Montecfo]

I had runflats on my 328. They are terrible for ride and handling replaced them with conventional tires. Fixaflat in that little space in trunk.

Not a fan of no spare. When shopping for a car for her, we avoided the latest model and instead got the naturally aspirated V-6 and a spare tire!

 

[Texas Proud]

It has been a long time since I had a flat where I needed a spare... like 13 to 15 years ago... it was a saw blade through the middle of the time and BOOM... down to the rim in a second...drove it the 100 or so yards to the tire place (it was convenient where it happened) but that ruined the tire...

They put on the spare and ordered me a new tire...

I now have two cars with no spare... mine only a few months but I did get a nail in a tire and it was low... they were able to fix... I bought a portable pump as it is really rare that you get a blowout now..

A full sized spare is almost unheard of... and donut spares are becoming the next dodo bird... eventually you probably will own a car without a spare...

 

[Sunset]

My previous car I had 1 flat and changed the tire at night after work.

My current vehicle in the past 10 years has had 2 separate slow leaks , so I pumped up the tire drove to a town got it patched for $25, then 2 weeks later the second different tire did a leak so back for another $25 patch.
My vehicle does have a spare donut but I've never used it.

If I were OP, I'd carry a patch kit and tire pump ( I use a bicycle pump as always works since no battery required).
Could also go to a junk yard and buy a spare, they must have a ton from all the cars that come in.

Even if you have a spare, if you are in a remote area, probably should have a patch and pump as well.

 

[eniacpalm]

I've been car shopping for a 3-row SUV and really like the new Hyundai Palisades hybrid. It has lots of safety and comfort features, lots of tech, and a smooth quiet ride. However, it doesn't have a spare tire...at all. Instead, it comes with a "Tire Mobility Kit" which is basically sealant and a small compressor to fill the tire until it can be repaired.

I've been struggling with whether this is a deal breaker. We are in the market for a larger SUV because of the longer road trips we take. Destinations include remote mountain areas of AZ and, in the summer, Central Coast of CA...which involves crossing the AZ and CA deserts in July. Around town it wouldn't be a huge issue as we could always call AAA for assistance.

Options are going to another vehicle like a Toyota Grand Highlander, but even that (and other SUVs) only come with a donut-sized spare. I could stow a full-size spare (and jack) in the cargo area but then that would greatly cut down available cargo space. I'm also researching the practicality of an after-market under-chassis mount, but I'm currently unclear whether there's enough room for a full-size spare there.

Looking for your thoughts as to what I should do.

I've dealt with a few flat tires, one at highway speed, one on a 2 lane back country road with a pregnant wife - that was the worse - 60 miles from closest town, dirt shoulder that sloped down into a ditch. For these reasons, I would avoid a car without a spare. At a minimum, ask the dealer to install run flat tires.

 

[eniacpalm]

This is true; the non-hybrids have donuts.

I thought about this, most likely for weight reasons, but makes you wonder if the thought is also that most hybrids will be driven in and around cities.

 

[freedomatlast]

The vehicle we use most often for long trips has a spare tire and the fact that it has a spare tire, was one of the many reasons why we bought that particular SUV. No way I'm being stranded somewhere because the manufacturer decided to cheap out on a spare. Wouldn't buy a Hyundai Palisades for that and a few other reasons.

What makes the matter even worse is the insistence of the manufacturers to use low profile tires which are more prone to blowing out the side wall and/or damaging the wheel which makes the need for a spare even greater.

 

[old medic]

I've been car shopping for a 3-row SUV and really like the new Hyundai Palisades hybrid. It has lots of safety and comfort features, lots of tech, and a smooth quiet ride. However, it doesn't have a spare tire...at all.
Looking for your thoughts as to what I should do.

DD and SIL just changed over to the Palisade (gas) and absolutely love it.
My 1st question to you is.... When's the last time you had a flat? Do you change them yourself?
With modern TPMS You get plenty of warning about slow leaks and can attend to that. The other is massive damage or failure in which yes you're going to need a tire. The last flat we had was in June... of 2019, on our camper.
Personally I would probably go with the non hybrid for the spare or get a roof mount donut for the hybrid while traveling.

 

[freedomatlast]

I thought about this, most likely for weight reasons, but makes you wonder if the thought is also that most hybrids will be driven in and around cities.

No, it's because the space that was allocated for the spare tire is needed for the electronics associated with the hybrid.