Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro: large SUV gets adventure-ready to fight Prado, Discovery and Everest

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The Hyundai Palisade, winner of both Best Large SUV and Best Luxury SUV at Chasing Cars’ 2026 Car of the Year, has sprouted an off-road-focussed version to earn the U in SUV.

The XRT Pro will be available from September for $79,900 before on-roads, $3400 above the Elite base model. Offered exclusively with 2.5-litre turbo petrol power, it enters its range as the only non-hybridised variant. 

Versus other outdoorsy large SUVs, it’s level with the Toyota Prado GXL ($79,665 before on-roads) and a bargain next to the Land Rover Discovery ($117,000 before on-roads).

On the outside, black replaces silver on the grille and windowframes. More substantial changes are 18-inch wheels with high-profile Continental all-terrain tyres, and the addition of red recovery points front and rear. Hyundai told Chasing Cars the recovery points are rated for off-road use.

Overhaul underneath

Curiously, the XRT loses the hybrid system of other Palisades. The XRT’s 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, now on its own, produces 207kW (down 38kW) and 422Nm (down 38Nm, coincidentally). On the flipside, the automatic transmission gains two gears – eight instead of six.

The powertrain has three ‘Terrain’ modes: Mud, Sand and Snow. All-wheel drive is, much like the hybrid Palisades, single-range and on demand.

Elsewhere, mechanical changes versus the regular Palisades are also noteworthy. Ground clearance rises significantly, from 187mm to 212mm, and the Palisade’s suspension has been retuned for the rough stuff.

Further, approach (20.5deg), departure (22.4deg) and ramp over angles (18.3deg) have also been increased marginally to help negotiate tricky terrain. 

Hyundai Australia makes its own changes for Australian conditions; specifically, dampers, springs and anti-roll bars have apparently been Australianised. The Palisade’s usual self-levelling rear suspension design has been retained.

The XRT Pro gains an electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD) on the rear axle, and claims a braked towing capacity of 2200kg, 200kg more than the hybrid. A towbar is fitted from the factory.

On the inside

The XRT ditches the leather in other Palisades for vinyl, on which the XRT logo and a mountain pattern is embossed. Heated and ventilated front seats remain, as does a heated steering wheel.

Only one sunroof is fitted, not two as per the Palisade Calligraphy. The XRT also forgoes the Calligraphy’s seven-seat layout for the Elite’s eight seats. Impressively for a car with a third row of seats, a full-size spare wheel is fitted.

An ‘XRT’ button on the steering wheel opens XRT-specific skins for the instrument cluster and central touchscreen. The latter offers a ground-view monitor camera system and also displays pitch and roll angles, power distribution and E-LSD operation.

2026 Hyundai Palisade: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Elite Hybrid: $76,500
• XRT Pro: $79,900
• Calligraphy Hybrid: $89,828
• Calligraphy Hybrid (7-seat): $90,828
• Calligraphy Black Ink Hybrid: $92,400
• Calligraphy Black Ink Hybrid (7-seat): $93,400