Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT PRO

Late last year, we had a brief encounter with the new second-generation 2026 Hyundai Palisade. We came away from it saying that it was “looking smart, elegant, and ready for your family to enjoy.” That was the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim with the standard V6 engine we sampled. 

Since then, it was being showered with awards. These accolades were based on the new hybrid driveline, which delivered fantastic fuel economy with all of its upmarket looks and feel. Afterwards, Hyundai issued a recall on the powered third row seats due to an incident that sparked a lot of noise from consumers to our fellow colleagues. 

They caught the recall before sending us the award-winning hybrid Calligraphy model. However, that was not the only new thing that caught our eye. 

There is the model you’re seeing in this page – the XRT PRO. 

If you are familiar with Hyundai, you know that XRT is its more rugged version of select SUV/crossover models. The package includes all-terrain tires, additional cladding, an outdoorsy theme inside, and a choice of Terrain modes. 

We have been wondering through our time with this 2026 Palisade what makes this XRT a PRO? 

We must start with the 2026 Palisade itself. The cleaner, boxier design gives it an air of maximum practicality. However, there are some stand out features that make it stand out more.  The vertical LED lighting signatures up front are intriguing. On the corners are the turn signals and daytime lamps. Then, you get to the headlamp units that are tucked away onto the fascia itself. They create an optical illusion that actually works. A larger squared off grille dominates the front clip with authority. 

The overall silhouette of the Palisade shows off a glasshouse offering straighter lines with a defining trim piece at the D-pillar. At the rear, a set of LED taillights mimic the corner driving lamps from the front clip. The liftgate appears to be larger for easier loading and unloading of cargo. 

The XRT PRO has some standout items. The grille itself is a departure from other 2026 Palisade models, as it has more of an eggcrate design. The lower half emulates a brush guard motif in a satin chrome finish. Red-painted recovery hooks are found both front and back. The finishing touch is a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires. Ground clearance in the XRT PRO is 8.4 inches, an inch more than other 2026 Palisade trim levels. 

Inside, the Palisade’s instrument panel has a broad look with the cowl stretching across it. There is a panel housing two 12.3-inch screens – the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment touchscreen. The transmission “stalk” is attached to the steering column. It also includes the ignition switch. There are plenty of tactile controls, with the exception of the climate control system, which is a soft-touch panel. A “floating” center console houses a wireless charging pad for devices. Bose provides the sound throughout the cabin. 

The XRT PRO wears an outdoorsy pattern stitched into its H-Tex upholstery on the seats. The front seats offered plenty of comfort and support. Across all three rows, passengers will find great comfort and space. Our test vehicle came with two captain’s chairs in the second row, giving it a passenger capacity for seven occupants.  

Third row access is made easier by a single button that folds and slides the second-row captain’s chairs for better access in and out of the rearmost seats. Both second and third row seats can be folded down flat for greater cargo access. Starting from 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, you can load up to 86.7 cubic feet with both the second and third row folded down. However, I had to fold down the third row to fit the rollator. In that configuration there is 46.3 cubic feet of space available. 

Powering the 2026 Palisade is a new 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with 260 pound-feet pf torque. While delivering solid power, it can also tow up to 5,000 pound behind it. This new engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Our XRT PRO test vehicle  came with the HTRAC all-wheel drive system. 

Performance was competent with good acceleration and smooth cruising. Highway Driving Assist works to keep the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO within the limit. It also yielded a fuel consumption average of 20.2 MPG. 

The ride quality in the Palisade XRT PRO was relatively smooth. It retains its mission to keep the occupants in the second and third rows relaxed as the big SUV absorbs various road surfaces superbly. Even mounted with all-terrain tires on gravel/dirt park roads. This vehicle also handled quite well, as it corners with ease without yielding a lot of roll and lean. 

The steering set-up was fine, as it yielded good turns in tight situations. The on-center feel was also solid. Braking was OK, with some modulation needed from the pedal down to the wheels. In normal situations, it was fine. Pedal feel was OK, but it felt a but soft at times. 

There are six trim levels available on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. Pricing starts at $39,435. Our XRT PRO test vehicle came with a sticker price of $51,110. 

Certainly the hybrid Calligraphy test vehicle would've been great to present on this site. It is worth repeating that we were curious about the 2026 Palisade XRT PRO to see how rugged this midsize three-row SUV truly is. The look attracted some curious eyes in our care. If it attracted those eyes, imagine how they approach the vehicle as their own. If their curious looks intrigue them, that should be seen as a win at Hyundai. 

Yet, this goes beyond design. The 2026 Palisade itself took some serious leaps to ensure its place among family haulers in its size class. From what we heard, the hybrid driveline is more than just icing on the cake. Hopefully, we will experience one down the line. In the meantime, it still looks smart and ready for your family to enjoy. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by Randy Stern