Name: 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO
Brand: Hyundai

Hyundai's new 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO brings genuine off-road hardware and a rugged look to the three-row midsize segment while keeping family-friendly space and features.

Priced just under $50,000 and powered exclusively by a V6, the XRT PRO is positioned as the Palisade for buyers who want weekend-trail confidence without sacrificing everyday usability.

What matters most

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO is the first Palisade variant engineered and marketed for true off-road use. The XRT PRO combines a one-inch higher ride height, all-terrain tires, an electronic limited-slip differential (ELSD), and visual and recovery upgrades (red recovery hooks, blacked-out trim) to create a more capable, rugged three-row SUV. It keeps the Palisade's roomy second-row legroom and family-friendly interior while adding off-road-focused hardware and a dedicated price point, $49,370 as tested with standard all-wheel drive.

Design & off-road capability

Rugged styling with practical upgrades

Hyundai reshapes the Palisade's front end into a shield-like grille, adds matte black exterior accents, blacked-out badging, and roof rails to underscore the XRT PRO's more aggressive stance. The model rides on exclusive 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, and Hyundai includes visible recovery hooks front and rear.

Underbody and protection

The XRT PRO gains an additional 1.0 inch of ground clearance over standard Palisade models for a total of 8.4 inches, improving approach and departure geometry. However, Hyundai does not fit factory metal skid plates on this trim, a limitation to note for buyers planning heavy rock crawling or very aggressive off-roading.

Off-road numbers

Important off-road angles and articulation figures reported during testing:

Approach angle: 20.5°
Departure angle: 22.4°
Breakover angle: 18.3°

The vehicle's off-road driving modes, hill descent control, and a 360-degree camera with ground-view help in technical terrain, though some camera functions only activate at very low speeds.

Powertrain & on-trail performance

The XRT PRO is offered exclusively with a 3.5-liter V6 paired to an 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Hyundai rates the engine at 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. During off-road testing the powertrain provided steady performance; torque figures sit lower than some turbocharged competitors, but the drivetrain and ELSD delivered competent traction in mud, sand and steep inclines.

Fuel economy: ~20 mpg combined (estimated)
Towing capacity: 5,000 lbs (V6-only)

Overall, the transmission and AWD calibration are tuned to make low-speed trail work manageable, but buyers expecting heavy towing or maximum low-end grunt may prefer turbocharged rivals.

Interior, tech & practicality

Hyundai retains the Palisade's family-first interior in the XRT PRO while pivoting materials to a rugged aesthetic:

Interior trim: All-black "H Tech" leather-ette with unique XRT stitching (black is the only color offered for this trim).
Display: Dual 12.3-inch screens (digital gauge cluster and infotainment) with configurable off-road readouts.
Audio: 14-speaker Bose system available on this trim.
Seating: Seven-passenger layout with second-row captain's chairs; second-row legroom remains class-leading.
Convenience: Wireless charging pad, three-zone climate control, 360-degree camera with off-road views, and a traditional column shifter.

Cargo capacity is similar to other Palisade variants: 19.1 cu ft behind the third row, 46 cu ft behind the second, and up to 87 cu ft with seats folded. Notably, a full-size spare tire is included, an increasingly rare feature.

Safety, warranties & ownership considerations

The XRT PRO retains Hyundai's active safety suite, including adaptive cruise control with highway assist functionality. Warranty coverage remains competitive:

Basic: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Powertrain: 10 years / 100,000 miles

Hyundai removed complimentary scheduled maintenance for the 2026 model year, which buyers should factor into ownership cost calculations. Our resale and reliability indices estimate the Palisade will retain about 55.35% of MSRP after five years (60,000 miles) and 19.61% after ten years, with overall reliability slightly below the industry average, useful context for long-term owners.

2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO Price & positioning

The XRT PRO sits in the middle of the Palisade lineup and is priced to capture buyers who want extra capability without stepping up to the most expensive luxury trims. With a starting price around $49,370 for the standard AWD XRT PRO as tested, it undercuts specialized off-road-focused rivals that command higher premiums while offering a uniquely family-friendly three-row package.

Verdict: who should buy the XRT PRO?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO is best for families who want a spacious, comfortable three-row SUV that can handle dirt roads, campsite access, and light-to-moderate trails without compromise to everyday comfort and tech. It's not aimed at hardcore rock-crawlers, the lack of factory metal skid plates and modest torque numbers limit extreme off-road ambitions, but for buyers seeking a capable, confident and well-equipped family hauler with genuine trail ability, the XRT PRO is a compelling option.