Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro 2026: 5 questions and answers

The Hyundai Palisade received a complete redesign for the 2026 model year, which brought an optional hybrid powertrain, a new standard V6 engine, as well as the XRT Pro trim level I tested.

The latter adopts a more adventurous style as well as more aggressive tires to appeal to those who like to display a more robust look than what the “regular” Palisade has to offer.

Here are five questions you might ask yourself about the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro, along with their answers.

Highlights of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro is positioned in the middle of the lineup of the South Korean brand’s largest SUV, with a starting price of $60,821 in Canada.

By comparison, the entry-level Palisade starts at $56,721 while the Ultimate Calligraphy is offered at $65,521.

As its purpose rests on its style, the Palisade XRT Pro does quite a bit to stand out from other models in the lineup, notably by featuring unique pattern wheels, a more robust-looking grille, all-terrain tires, more prominent rocker panel mouldings, and red tow hooks at the front and rear.

The XRT Pro is not offered as a hybrid, so it is powered exclusively by a 3.5 L V6 engine that develops 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is 4 horsepower and 2 lb-ft less than the old 3.8 L V6 it replaces.

The gearbox is still an 8-speed automatic unit that is paired with the H-Trac all-wheel-drive system.

Natural Resources Canada announces an average fuel consumption of 14.3 L/100 km in the city, 10.6 L/100 km on the highway, and 12.7 L/100 km in combined driving.

During my test drive, I was able to obtain an average of 12.5 L/100 km in predominantly rural and highway driving.

1 – Is the V6 Engine Efficient?

Unfortunately, fuel economy is not an attribute of the Palisade XRT Pro’s 3.5L V6 engine. Indeed, with a combined average of 12.7 L/100 km, this three-row SUV is not kind to the wallet, especially with fuel prices in effect at the time of writing. In fact, the Palisade XRT Pro consumes more than any other off-road-oriented family SUV currently on the market.

That said, the V6 engine offers a host of benefits to compensate, notably a remarkable level of smoothness as well as a muscular sound under acceleration, two attributes that cannot be replicated by the turbocharged four-cylinders that are increasingly replacing six-cylinder engines in the segment. Of course, Hyundai now offers a hybrid powertrain in the Palisade for those who desire better fuel economy, but this is not offered on the XRT Pro.

2- How much can the Palisade XRT Pro tow?

Another advantage of the V6 engine is that it allows for a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), which is 454 kg (1,000 lb) more than the hybrid version. This is enough to allow the Palisade to pull loads such as small trailers or a boat. In addition, the towing package is standard on all 2026 Palisades and includes pre-wiring for trailer brakes and lights, trailer stability control, and high-capacity radiators for the engine and transmission.

3- How does the Palisade XRT Pro behave on the road?

While its styling might suggest that the Palisade XRT Pro displays a slightly rustic road behavior aimed at improving its off-road skills, this is not the case. Indeed, the Palisade XRT Pro shows great refinement in terms of suspension and soundproofing, making the ride very comfortable for all occupants. In addition, the smoothness and power of the V6 make the driving experience comparable to that of luxury vehicles costing much more. The handling itself is also completely acceptable for a vehicle of this size and family vocation, making the new Palisade one of the most pleasant models to live with in its segment.

4- How much interior space does the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro offer?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro places at the bottom of the category in terms of maximum cargo space, behind the second row and behind the third row, with respective capacities of 2,455 L, 1,310 L, and 540 L. The situation is better in terms of passenger space, where the Palisade has more headroom and legroom in the first two rows than the Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Volkswagen Atlas, among others. On the other hand, the third row of the Palisade is smaller than that of these rivals.

Concretely, the Palisade has 1,019 mm of headroom in the front, 1,005 mm in the second row, and 944 mm in the third. In terms of legroom, the Palisade offers 1,052 mm in the front, 1,092 mm in the center, and 815 mm in the rear. Finally, shoulder room reaches 1,560 mm in the front, 1,550 mm in the center, and 1,412 mm in the third row.

5- Is the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro competitive in its segment?

Although it has slightly less interior space than its competitors and its V6 engine is quite greedy, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro is genuinely competitive in the Canadian market. Indeed, this model offers great comfort and a refined driving experience, in addition to a distinctive style and a complete tech package. Moreover, the Palisade XRT Pro is priced similarly to most of its competitors, notably the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas, whose adventure-focussed variants are also priced at around $60,800. By comparison, the Toyota Grand Highlander Limited and Honda Pilot TrailSport are more expensive by a few thousand dollars. Let’s also not forget that, for the moment, the 2027 Kia Telluride is still not available in Canada due to tariffs imposed on vehicles built in the United States outside the stipulations of the North American Free Trade Agreement. This leaves the field wide open for the Palisade to represent South Korean know-how in this category.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Palisade was already one of the most competent SUVs in its segment, and the new generation launched this year adds to it with a new hybrid powertrain as well as a robust-looking XRT version. Thus, the 2026 Palisade XRT Pro shines through its comfort, its refinement, its unique style, and its equipment level. Do not expect a true off-road SUV, however, and prepare to spend more time at the pump than you might like.