Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro arrives next week in Australia

Key highlights:

• Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro price and specs
• XRT Pro arrives next month at $79,900 before on-road costs
• Turbo 2.5-litre petrol engine delivers 207kW and 422Nm
• Gets 212mm ground clearance and 2200kg towing capacity

The Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro starts deliveries in Australia next month as the rugged new addition to the second-generation large SUV range opens for orders at $79,900 before on-road costs.

This is the first time the Australian Palisade lineup is getting a dedicated XRT Pro grade and the first factory-built XRT model ever offered by Hyundai Australia. It’s also the first non-hybrid version of the second-generation Palisade locally.

The XRT Pro occupies a unique niche in Australia and stands between premium family hauliers and rugged, ladder-frame off-roaders.

Pricing: XRT Pro completes the Australian Palisade rollout

Hyundai Australia has introduced the second-generation Palisade in stages, and it started with the most expensive model:

• September 2025: Calligraphy
• February 2026: Elite Hybrid
• July 2026: Calligraphy Black Ink
• September 2026: XRT Pro

The newly launched XRT Pro sits directly between the entry-level Elite and the flagship Calligraphy trims. The off-road-focused variant is open to order now, and its deliveries start as soon as next week in September 2026.

More off-road hardware, more towing ability

All second-generation Palisades currently sold in Australia use active on-demand all-wheel drive, and the XRT Pro follows the same approach. Its powertrain differs sharply from the US-market XRT Pro – the US version uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine; Australia gets a non-electrified turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder.

The XRT Pro produces 207kW and 422Nm, with peak torque available from 1700-4000rpm, and this output trails the electrified T-GDi Theta III powertrain used across the rest of Australia’s Palisade variants, which produce a combined 245kW and 460Nm from 1800-4500rpm.

The XRT Pro also swaps the hybrid models’ six-speed automatic for an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai Australia has designed its first-ever XRT Pro to offer greater off-road capability and towing capacity than the other variants in the lineup.

A one-inch suspension lift raises its ground clearance by 25mm to 212mm.

The company has also developed its first local chassis tune since the i30 Sedan in 2024, and this setup works with 255/60 R18 Continental all-terrain tyres and an electronic limited-slip rear differential (e-LSD).

Hyundai says the XRT Pro bridges the gap between a traditional 4WD like Ford Everest or Toyota Prado and an all-wheel drive SUV while retaining the Palisade’s comfort and on-road refinement.

The brand equips the XRT Pro with a factory-fitted towbar and wiring connection, but the Hyundai Genuine towing accessory kit does not come standard; its braked towing capacity increases by 200kg to 2,200kg.

Also read: 2027 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid gets more power and newer tech

Approach angles improve for tougher terrain

Approach and departure angles decide the maximum incline a car can climb or descend without its front or rear bumpers scraping against the ground. The local suspension lift and other hardware give the XRT Pro greater clearance and approach angles.

The XRT Pro gains these capabilities compared with the standard Palisade variants:

• 25mm more ground clearance: 212mm
• 1.9 degrees more approach angle: 20.5 degrees
• 1.3 degrees more departure angle: 22.4 degrees
• 2.8 degrees more rampover angle: 18.3 degrees

Every Palisade gets a full-size spare wheel, and the XRT Pro swaps the Elite’s 20-inch wheels and Calligraphy’s 21-inch wheels for exclusive 18-inch black and machined-finish alloys.

Exterior: Rugged styling sets it apart

The XRT Pro adds several distinct, adventure-oriented exterior styling elements and functional features over standard trims:

• Exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels with a black/machined finish
• Continental all-terrain tyres
• Exposed red front and rear recovery hooks 
• Towbar mount hidden under a neat bumper panel
• Unique dark metallic grille treatment for a bolder face
• Exclusive black exterior accents replacing standard bright chrome trim
• Dark-finish door handles
• Unique matte-black panelling along the lower side sills
• Signature XRT Pro badging stamped cleanly onto the tailgate 

The XRT Pro introduces an exclusive Titan Charcoal exterior colour, and buyers can also choose from Shimmering Silver, Ecotronic Grey, Classy Blue, Creamy White, Abyss Black, and Cast Iron Brown.

Interior and tech: New off-road driving equipment

The upcoming Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro adds several exclusive off-road and durable interior elements over standard Australian variants, such as:

• Exclusive XRT logo on the front headrests
• Rugged, heavy-duty all-weather rubber floor mats
• Dark metallic accents in the cabin
• Exclusive terrain gauges displayed on the infotainment screen
• Downhill brake control
• Front ground-view camera added to surround view monitor
• Steering wheel shortcut button mapped to off-road pages
• Off-road displays offer real-time data: pitch and roll, compass direction, elevation
• Rear electronic limited-slip differential to mechanically shift rear torque
• Terrain mode selector: Mud, Sand, and Snow
• Single sliding sunroof

The XRT Pro uses black synthetic leather rather than the Elite’s leather or the Calligraphy’s Nappa leather, and every Australian Palisade also comes with a 14-speaker Bose sound system and Digital Key 2.0.

Want a Palisade but not at a premium price? Consider getting a used one, like the 2023 Palisade below: