Today, Hyundai Motor America revealed the all-new 2026 Palisade XRT PRO at the New York International Auto Show. This is a new take on Hyundai’s popular family SUV, with a new styling language and features geared toward a more off-road feel.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade lineup has been updated with more space, features, and capability across the board. New for this year is the Palisade XRT PRO, a model aimed at buyers looking for more off-road capability. It’s the first Hyundai to carry the XRT PRO badge, which marks a step up from previous XRT variants with added hardware and software designed to improve performance off pavement.
The XRT PRO was developed specifically with U.S. buyers in mind and includes upgrades over past models, including changes to the front-end design. It features a revised lower grille, reinforced lower fascia, and visible recovery hooks finished in red.
“The 2026 Palisade XRT PRO is for people doing it all—raising families, chasing goals, showing up every day,” said Olabisi Boyle, SVP, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. “We built this SUV by putting people first – thinking about real lives, real needs. It’s got space for your crew, capability when the road gets rough, and the kind of comfort, style, and efficiency that proves luxury doesn’t have to come with a luxury price. We wanted to deliver a vehicle where affordability can meet lifestyle—no matter where off-road you want to go.”
XRT PRO Capability Features
- XRT PRO-exclusive rear electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD)
- 8.4 inches of ground clearance (+1 inch vs. non XRT PRO models)
- Improved approach (20.5°), departure (22.4°), and breakover (18.3°) geometry
- All-terrain 255/60R18 tires
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Surround View Monitor with forward ground view
- Real-time pitch & roll, compass, and elevation displays
- HTRAC® all-wheel drive
- New Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain modes
- Exposed functional canyon red recovery hooks front and rear
- Downhill Brake Control
- Tow mode
- Factory-installed tow hitch with conceal panel
- XRT PRO Design Features
XRT PRO-exclusive 18-inch dark-finish alloy wheels
- XRT PRO rear badging
- XRT dark exterior accents (grille, window surround, cladding)
- H-Tex leatherette seating surfaces with front heating/ventilation
- Heated steering wheel
- Bose® 14-speaker premium audio system
- Ambient lighting
- 115-volt power outlet
- Power moonroof
- New, powerful, and efficient internal-combustion powertrain
The 2026 Palisade XRT PRO boasts a newly developed 3.5-liter V6 making up to an estimated 287 horsepower and up to 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The naturally aspirated, direct-injected engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter. This standard ICE powertrain is available exclusively with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on XRT PRO. The SUV will have a standard towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
HTRAC® with Tow Mode, Terrain modes add confidence, capability
The 2026 Palisade model range is available with Hyundai’s HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive system with Tow Mode. Tow Mode optimizes the powertrain’s performance parameters for confident and efficient towing, holding lower gears longer and reducing shift frequency while towing heavier loads.
For 2026, a new terrain mode controller includes Mud, Sand, and Snow settings to give drivers extra capability in adverse terrain and weather conditions. Additionally, the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO benefits from a model-exclusive rear electronic limited-slip differential for increased responsiveness and traction on difficult terrain.
The 2026 Palisade will be built in Ulsan, South Korea. XRT PRO models are set to arrive at Hyundai dealers in early summer.
