2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro Australian Version
By Lorenzo Bianchi August 27, 2026
XRT PRO joins the Palisade lineup as Hyundai Australia's first XRT PRO model, priced from $79,900 MLP and arriving in dealerships from September.
Ground clearance grows to 212mm, up 25mm over other Palisade variants, aided by a rear electronic limited-slip differential, Continental all-terrain tyres, and a suspension tune developed specifically for Australian roads.
Power comes exclusively from a non-hybrid 2.5-liter T-GDi engine paired with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, with towing capacity rising to 2,200kg when fitted with Hyundai's towing accessory kit.
Exterior Design
XRT PRO sets itself apart with a unique metallic grille treatment integrated into Palisade's signature front horizon light, alongside blacked-out door handles and XRT PRO tailgate badging. The trim rides on exclusive black and machined-finish 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental all-terrain rubber, and adds a factory-fitted towbar plus exposed red recovery hooks front and rear. A new Titan Charcoal paint color is exclusive to XRT PRO, joining six shades shared across the wider Palisade range.
Proportions and Stance
Ground clearance climbs to 212mm from the standard Palisade's 187mm, a 25mm gain, while approach, departure, and ramp-over angles improve to 20.5, 22.4, and 18.3 degrees respectively, up from 18.6, 21.1, and 15.5 degrees on the Hybrid model.
Interior Space and Technology
Inside, XRT PRO gets an XRT-branded dashboard and blacked-out control finishes layered over Palisade's existing sweeping dash design, panoramic curved displays, and island-style center console. Black synthetic leather seats carry XRT emblems on the headrests and an embossed mountain-inspired pattern, and the cabin seats up to eight across three rows. Tech carries over a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch multimedia display, a 14-speaker BOSE audio system, and Bluelink connectivity with over-the-air updates. XRT-specific additions include a dedicated cluster display theme, a bespoke off-roading infotainment page showing pitch and roll angles, power distribution, and rear e-LSD operation, plus a ground-view monitor for tracking wheel trajectory at low speeds, all accessible via a dedicated XRT button on the steering wheel.
Powertrain and Performance
XRT PRO runs exclusively on Hyundai's 2.5-liter T-GDi engine paired with an eight-speed automatic and Active On-Demand all-wheel drive, rated at 422 Nm of torque between 1,700 and 4,000 rpm. Unlike the hybrid-only Elite and Calligraphy variants, which combine a 192 kW engine with a 54 kW electric motor for 245 kW total, XRT PRO trades that combined output for a simpler, conventional drivetrain suited to its off-road focus.
Practical Usability
Braked towing capacity rises to 2,200 kg, a 200 kg improvement over the Hybrid Palisade, when fitted with Hyundai's Genuine towing accessory kit, alongside a 160 kg maximum towball downweight. The rear e-LSD automatically shifts torque to whichever rear wheel has the most grip, and a Terrain Mode system covers Mud, Sand, and Snow settings. XRT PRO also keeps a full-size alloy spare wheel rather than a space-saver, and ownership includes Hyundai's 7-year warranty when serviced through the brand's dealer network.
Market Positioning
Priced at $79,900, XRT PRO slots between the Elite ($76,500) and Calligraphy ($89,828) in Hyundai Australia's Palisade lineup, arriving as the brand's first XRT PRO model on its three-row flagship SUV. Hyundai Motor Company Australia COO Gavin Donaldson framed the model as adding off-road capability to Palisade's existing comfort and refinement without compromising what makes the SUV appeal to families. The bespoke suspension and steering tune came out of a localization program run with Hyundai's Australian tuning team in Sydney, evaluating dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars specifically for local road conditions.