SUV buyers tend to look for more than just utility out of their vehicles. After all, if practicality and utility is all they seek, minivans would never have gone out of style and the Ford Transit would be a best-seller. SUVs represent a lifestyle — whether you choose to be fashionable, sporty, or outdoorsy, there is almost always one that fits. This new 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro offers a solid bridge between the outdoorsy image buyers want to portray without sacrificing comfort, something that typically happens with the real off-roaders.
First impressions
For 2026, the Palisade has gone through a complete redesign with a new look that is boxier and more substantial. The front-end design is bold; its LED headlight design is distinctive and the front grille is prominent, and the overall size has grown quite a bit over the outgoing Palisade. This new XRT Pro trim is created for the buyers who want to venture off-road — or at least look the part of someone who does — hence the darkened exterior accents and wheels, red tow hooks, and an extra inch of ground clearance for a bit more function to go along with the form.
Powertrain and driving impressions
Two powertrain options are available for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade — a 3.5-litre V6 or a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid. Our XRT Pro tester is equipped with the V6, which remains one of the silkiest engines in the segment. While 287 horsepower is not a lot for a crossover of the Palisade’s size, we appreciate how well it masks its effort and how little it complains during acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission responds well to throttle inputs, which goes a long way into making the Palisade much more enjoyable to drive. Those looking to tow will be able to do so up to 5,000 pounds — 1,000 more than the hybrid.
The XRT Pro gains a set of all-terrain tires, an electronic rear limited-slip differential, downhill brake control, and three dedicated terrain modes for life away from paved roads. We did not get a chance to test out its capabilities off the beaten path, but seeing the overall size of the Palisade and the limited scope of the hardware upgrades, the Palisade XRT Pro is not an off-roader for tough trails — not that it was ever intended to be. Leave the tough trails for the 4Runners, Broncos, and Wranglers of the world. The Palisade XRT Pro is best suited for people who prefer a more rugged look and a dash of all-weather confidence in their urban lifestyle.
Fuel economy and driver assists
The downside to the smoothness of the V6 is its thirst, reflected in our observed, real-world 14.3 L/100 km fuel economy average. Curiously, the XRT Pro’s fuel economy ratings are significantly worse than the standard models with the V6 — 12.7 L/100 km combined, versus 11.1 for non-XRTs — so those who are sensitive to running costs should keep this in mind. The good news is that the Palisade still accepts regular-grade gas for its 72-litre tank.
One of the most important updates for the new Palisade lies in its latest version of its Advanced Driver Assist Systems, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Forward Attention Warning, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, Rear Cross-Traffic and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist systems. These systems worked together extremely well during our tests even in less than ideal weather conditions.
What’s the Palisade like inside?
Inside the Palisade, there is an abundance of interior space for everyone. Entry and exit into and out of the third row is quite easy thanks to the easy operation of the second-row captain’s chairs, and there is decent head- and legroom even for adults. Cargo space is rated at 540 litres behind the third row, and it opens up to 1,310 and 2,455 litres once the third and second row are folded away, respectively.
We love the interior appointments of the redesigned Palisade. The materials are certainly a class above most competitors and the layout is intuitive. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment is vivid and we had no issues getting acquainted immediately, and the 14-speaker Bose sound system fills the cabin with above-average sound quality. We love that there are seven total USB-C ports and they support charging speed of up to 100 watts. Our only complaint is that there are not enough storage pockets within arm’s reach, aside from the door pockets and cupholders. We would have preferred some extra cubbies on the centre console.
Final thoughts
Pricing for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is set at $53,699, and our XRT Pro model starts at $57,799. Add $250 for the Titan Green paint job and we arrived at an as-tested price of $58,049. Considering the Palisade is one of the better-packaged family haulers out there, along with how much buyers love a rugged crossover, we think the new 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro has the goods to be a hit, surely taking sales away from a broad spectrum of competitors including some real capable off-roaders.
