Prado-slaying Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro unveiled

Hyundai has just unveiled its most capable Palisade yet, with a new XRT Pro variant that’s set to take a bite out of the large off-road SUV segment when it arrives next year.

It’s the Korean brand’s answer to rugged family SUVs like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado, with the toughest Palisade ever made due in Australia in the first half of 2026 as a standalone variant, rather than an accessory kit as per the Santa Fe XRT.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the Palisade XRT Pro will come based on the new second-generation Palisade, which was unveiled late last year and make its Aussie debut with hybrid power in late 2025.

That means the XRT Pro rides on a stretched wheelbase that’s 70mm longer than its predecessor (now 213mm), while the SUV’s overall length has grown to 5060mm. That's longer than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series (5015mm).

It also sits slightly taller and wider than before.

Thanks to a lift kit, it sits 25mm higher off the ground compared to the regular Palisade, while revised bumpers at either end means approach and departure angles are improved to tackle tougher terrain.

The XRT Pro’s host of rugged features include 18-inch alloys wrapped in all-terrain rubber, a rear electronic limited-slip differential, tow mode, and new terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow.

Under the bonnet of the XRT Pro is a ‘newly developed’ 3.5-litre petrol V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic. Good for 214kW and 353Nm, power is sent to all four wheels via Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system.

Visually, the XRT Pro has been given a more rugged exterior to match its off-road prowess, with a darkened grille and window surrounds, plus extra body cladding.

Meanwhile, exposed red recovery hooks at either end add an element of functionality – just hope you don’t need them.

Inside, the Palisade XRT Pro hasn’t lost its family-friendly nature, with features like leather-appointed trim, a choice of seven or eight seats, a full suite of safety gear, and a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens, one of which offers a real-time display of pitch, roll, and elevation.

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