The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO initially struck me with Temu Range Rover impressions upon its announcement. Yet, after a week’s experience in challenging winter conditions, my perspective has completely changed. It’s not a mere imitation; it’s an impressive SUV, offering substantial value at its $50,000 suggested price.
Hyundai’s XRT trim has mostly functioned as a cosmetic enhancement aimed at making select SUVs appear sportier. However, the new XRT PRO trim, debuting here on this Palisade, introduces real off-road capability with robust tires and terrain-specific traction control systems.
Essentially, it represents the basic necessary features for an “off-road model,” which is precisely the right decision for Hyundai in this context.
The Essentials
The second-generation Palisade is entirely new for 2026. Same as its predecessor, it’s a spacious three-row SUV featuring a contemporary interior. This vehicle can accurately transport six individuals (especially if a couple are children) along with gear across considerable distances with commendable comfort.
The main update for this model is the introduction of an electrified hybrid version, which boasts 29 mpg in combined driving—quite impressive for a substantial vehicle like this.
The primary Palisade lineup, including the new XRT PRO, continues to use a traditional V6 engine. The revamped 3.5-liter engine delivers 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, claiming a rather average 20 mpg in combined driving. Base front-wheel-drive models have slightly improved fuel efficiency, yet I imagine everyone viewing this is more curious about all-wheel-drive stats.
The XRT PRO version, specifically, records a slightly lower fuel efficiency, estimating 19 mpg combined, 16 city, and 22 highway. That’s about what my 28-year-old Mitsubishi Montero achieves with careful driving and low-profile tires.
Speaking of tires, the factory-installed 30-inch Continental Terrain Contact A/Ts significantly contribute to both the XRT PRO’s improved off-road capabilities and its fuel-efficiency drawback. They provide this model with an additional inch of ground clearance compared to standard Palisades, along with significantly improved traction on slick terrains. However, they also require more energy to accelerate, steer, and stop than standard tires.
Visually, the XRT PRO stands out with attractive 18-inch wheels, eye-catching red front and rear towing hooks, dark exterior trim, and a charming, discreet mountain design sewn into the seating.
Experiencing the Palisade XRT PRO
I appreciated the ergonomic design of the Hyundai Palisade so much that I dedicated a separate post to it—I genuinely believe that the interior of the 2026 Palisade is nearly flawless. If you wish for an in-depth analysis, here’s a quick overview:
- Intelligently designed physical buttons for instant access to all necessary functions
- High-quality material standards
- Display screen positioning is prominent yet not overwhelming or overshadowing
- Excellent visibility
- Extremely functional console storage layout
- Very comfortable seating arrangements
Regarding the driving experience, it’s not extraordinary, but completely suitable for a vehicle in this category. Steering is gentle yet relatively responsive. Power isn’t abundant, but I never felt the vehicle was sluggish. Braking is satisfactory, and at speed-limitish velocities, I had no complaints.
The surround-view camera is impressively high-resolution, making parking and navigating around pedestrians or animals quite effortless.
At nighttime, headlights illuminate the environment ahead abundantly.
The sunroof is somewhat disappointingly small, which, whatever. My only genuine criticism regarding the Palisade’s driving experience is the road noise. It’s relatively loud within the cabin, even at 55 mph. Not a dealbreaker at this price point, but it does detract from the “this is just as good as a Land Rover” ambiance.
Noteworthy Features
Without unnecessarily praising the Palisade’s interior layout again, I’ll emphasize how impressive the digital displays are. They are both clear and aesthetically pleasing without being excessive or too simplistic. Some contemporary vehicles have enormous displays with minimal information, while others clutter their user interface with ornamental graphics. The Palisade strikes a superb balance—highly readable screens that look fantastic and effectively utilize their digital space.
I also greatly appreciated the comfort provided by the seating in this model, along with its general appearance. The XRT PRO wheels are superb; the little Pikachu-like spoiler above the tailgate adds a delightful touch of character.
The protruding exterior door handles are convenient for grabbing while wearing heavy gloves and have an appealing design.
One visual aspect that doesn’t appeal to me—the XRT PRO badge on the rear. It resembles a puffy sticker from a subpar toy. This isn’t as unfortunate as the die-cut stickers Ford utilizes for its Bronco trim markings, but it does diminish the vehicle’s otherwise impressive aesthetic. Hyundai could have allocated a few extra cents per unit to enhance its appeal.
Hyundai XRT PRO Off-Road Evaluation
I earlier labeled the XRT PRO as a “minimum viable product” for an off-road model in the introduction, and now I get to clarify what that signifies, why it’s a sensible move for Hyundai, and what the vehicle’s practical advantages and limitations are.
In brief: This vehicle can perform remarkably well on slippery surfaces, making it ideal for individuals who require an SUV to navigate adverse weather, dirt roads, and even soft sand. However, I wouldn’t rely on it for the kind of hard impacts you’d expect on trails.
The Terrain Mode Select system optimizes traction management for mud, snow, or sand and is included as standard on all all-wheel-drive V6 Palisades. Along with its rugged tires, the XRT PRO’s distinctive rough-terrain traction feature is an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD).
The eLSD is a multi-plate clutch pack controlled by an ECU that tracks wheel sensor signals and determines when a particular wheel requires torque to improve grip. The practical benefit of Hyundai’s system, compared to brake-based torque vectoring often found in soft-roaders, is its proactive nature rather than reactive. It can lock the rear axle before the driver senses slippage, aiding momentum preservation, which is crucial for traversing slippery terrain.
This component, combined with reliable tires, provides a Palisade XRT PRO operator a significant edge in poor weather conditions without substantially increasing the vehicle’s weight.
I also genuinely appreciate the off-road display functionality available on the infotainment screen. It is both visually appealing and functional, offering useful information like transmission temperature alongside pitch-and-roll and traction metrics.
Now, regarding the vulnerable points.
There’s no underbody protection to speak of. Given that the vehicle is also relatively lengthy and low (it still has under nine inches of clearance, even with 30-inch tires), that poses a significant risk if you encounter rocky or uneven trails.
While inspecting the Palisade’s undercarriage, I saw numerous components that are comparatively light-duty. The tie rods are slim. Control arms appear spindly. That’s perfectly fine for on-road driving. In fact, you desire those components to remain as light as feasible for regular use.
However, genuine off-roading imposes significant strain on those elements. Therefore, I can foresee the Palisade XRT PRO placing you in an “it’ll be fine until it’s not” circumstance during an off-road venture. A harsh impact that might bend the lower control arm on a 4Runner (bad, yet you could possibly make it to a trailhead) could compromise that same component on a Hyundai and leave you stranded.
Granted, this is merely an observational assessment, not a material analysis. Yet, I’ve damaged enough vehicles to have a reasonable understanding of what can withstand an impact and what cannot.
That said, substantial underpinnings and armor plating add weight. Extra weight reduces efficiency and detracts from driving performance. Ultimately, I believe Hyundai made the correct choice by not burdening the XRT PRO with the robust components necessary to compete with more serious off-roaders. The trade-off doesn’t justify itself for the typical usage this vehicle will see.
Conclusion
As a professional automotive reviewer, few experiences bring me more joy than discovering an unexpectedly delightful vehicle. The Palisade XRT PRO truly made me smile.
Hyundai has developed an appealing package that provides substantial luxury and functionality for the price. It may lack the refinement or ruggedness of a Land Rover, but it offers practical benefits for tackling storms in a stylish vehicle that’s genuinely enjoyable to ride in. I truly enjoyed it, and I believe Hyundai’s product team should take pride in how expertly they balanced capability and cost-effectiveness.
And if you decide to purchase one and wish to enhance the identified shortcomings, you could effectively improve fuel efficiency by opting for road-oriented tires while still benefiting from the eLSD. Additionally, if you aspire to venture a bit further off the beaten path, you may be able to install slightly taller tires. Custom skid plates could also be fabricated and fitted. While not trivial, with some research and precise measurements, it’s certainly doable.
Best of luck out there!
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Base Price (As Tested) | $49,870 ($52,750) |
| Powertrain | 3.5 V6 | AWD | 8-Speed Auto |
| Horsepower | 287 |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Curb Weight | 4,784 lbs |
| Angles | Approach: 20.5° | Departure: 22.4° | Breakover: 18.3° |
| Ground Clearance | 8.4″ |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 19 mpg in combined | 16 city | 22 highway |
| Score | 9/10 |
Quick Summary
Impressive all-weather SUV for large families, and a particularly exciting addition to Hyundai’s offerings.
Hyundai provided a one-week loan of the vehicle for this evaluation.