2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro arrives with off-road tune and petrol-only power
Hyundai's off-road XRT Pro sub-brand lands in Australia this September, adding a bespoke local suspension tune, all-terrain tyres and a higher tow rating, all for $79,900 before on-road costs.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro arrives September from $79,900
- Petrol-only 2.5T turbo, 207kW, 2,200kg braked towing
- Aussie-tuned suspension, 212mm clearance, Continental all-terrain tyres
Hyundai has a new rugged off-road grade for Australia. From September, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro will be in local dealerships with a $79,900 price before on-road costs.
The model marks the local debut of Hyundai's XRT Pro off-road sub-brand, and it lands with a twist: every other Palisade in the range is a hybrid, but this one is petrol-only.
What comes with the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro
The XRT Pro slots between the entry Elite and the flagship Calligraphy, but it goes its own way underneath.
The XRT Pro gains 25mm of ground clearance, taking the total to 212mm, and swaps to exclusive 18-inch alloys shod with Continental all-terrain tyres. Its off-road hardware also includes a rear electronic limited-slip differential, a factory-fitted towbar and red recovery hooks front and rear.
All three key off-road angles improve: approach, departure and ramp-over. Mud, Sand and Snow settings are available through the Terrain Mode selector, while the driver can call on a ground-view monitor and dedicated displays when a track becomes more technical.
Hyundai's Sydney engineering team developed a dedicated Australian suspension tune for the XRT Pro. It is the company's first locally tuned chassis since the 2024 i30 Sedan and one of the strongest reasons for Australian buyers to consider this grade.
Power comes from a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine producing 207kW and 422Nm. It drives all four wheels on demand through an eight-speed automatic. The hybrid Palisades make a combined 245kW and 460Nm, but use a six-speed transmission. In return for its lower outputs, the XRT Pro offers two additional ratios and a 2,200kg braked towing capacity, which is 200kg higher than the hybrid's.
Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro specifications
| Specification | Palisade XRT Pro |
| Engine | 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four (non-hybrid) |
| Power | 207kW |
| Torque | 422Nm (1,700 to 4,000rpm) |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | On-demand all-wheel drive |
| Braked towing | 2,200kg |
| Ground clearance | 212mm |
| Approach / departure / ramp-over | 20.5° / 22.4° / 18.3° |
| Wheels and tyres | 18-inch alloy, Continental all-terrain |
The cabin features black synthetic leather with embossed XRT logos and mountain motifs instead of the leather trim used by other grades. It also gets cloth headlining and a single sunroof.
Titan Charcoal is an XRT Pro-exclusive paint option, joining six existing colours. A 14-speaker Bose audio system, Digital Key 2.0 and a heated steering wheel remain standard.
Hyundai Australia COO Gavin Donaldson said the XRT Pro "gives adventurous families the freedom to explore further, without compromising the qualities that make Palisade such a compelling flagship SUV."
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro pricing
| Variant | Powertrain | Seats | Price excluding on-roads |
| Elite | 2.5T hybrid | 8 | $76,500 |
| XRT Pro | 2.5T petrol | 8 | $79,900 |
| Calligraphy | 2.5T hybrid | 8 | $89,828 |
| Calligraphy | 2.5T hybrid | 7 | $90,828 |
| Calligraphy Black Ink | 2.5T hybrid | 8 | $92,400 |
| Calligraphy Black Ink | 2.5T hybrid | 7 | $93,400 |
See Hyundai Palisade driveaway pricing and specifications →
With its $79,900 price, the XRT Pro sits alongside the Toyota Prado GXL and Ford Everest, while costing considerably less than the Land Rover Discovery.
Targeting the Prado
The $79,665 Toyota Prado GXL costs only $235 less than the XRT Pro, leaving little doubt about Hyundai's target. It is a Prado and Everest play, not another premium range-topper.
That positioning also explains the non-hybrid drivetrain: tow-and-tour buyers may find more use in a simpler turbo-petrol, an eight-speed torque converter and a 2,200kg tow rating than in a hybrid focused on city economy.
Locally, expect the XRT Pro to keep its petrol-only identity while hybrid power remains standard elsewhere in the range. Its real opportunity is poaching off-road cross-shoppers from the Prado rather than stealing Calligraphy customers.
For the first time, the Palisade has a variant with a credible dirt-road focus. The XRT Pro combines Prado-level pricing with an Australian chassis tune, but buyers face a clear trade-off. Choosing it means giving up the hybrid's fuel economy and stronger outputs in exchange for extra clearance, more transmission ratios and greater towing capacity.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro cost?
Pricing begins at $79,900 before on-road costs. That makes it $3,400 more expensive than the Elite and almost $10,000 cheaper than the flagship Calligraphy.
Does the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro use hybrid power?
No. It is the only non-hybrid Palisade grade. Its 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine produces 207kW and is paired with an eight-speed automatic.
When will the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro arrive in Australia?
Australian dealerships will receive it from September 2026.
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
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