- Hyundai’s 2026 flagship gets a serious glow-up – longer, tougher, and aiming squarely at LandCruiser and Patrol territory.
- The new XRT PRO variant brings real off-road cred with all-terrain tyres, a locking diff, and terrain modes made for Aussie conditions.
- But with towing capacity well below the big boys, it might lose out where it matters most to Aussie adventurers.
Hyundai’s butched up the all-new 2026 Palisade. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show over the easter weekend, the upsized Korean flagship SUV gets more room, more grunt, and better off-road capability—clearly taking aim at Aussie favourites like the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.
The suggestion is that this is no soft-roader with tough-guy plastic cladding. Hyundai wants you to think the new Palisade means business, especially in XRT PRO guise.
The 2026 model is bigger, with the wheelbase stretching another 70mm. Translation? More room for your mates, kids, and weekend gear. The redesign includes larger, panoramic side glass that floods the third row with light and improves visibility—a welcome upgrade for those typically cramped back seats.
Under the bonnet, there’s an updated 3.5-litre petrol V6, but the real story is the first-ever Palisade hybrid option. The 2.5-litre turbo hybrid setup delivers an estimated 245kW and 460Nm — ll while promising better than 7.8L/100km.
Worth noting, though, that Hyundai Australia hasn’t confirmed powertrain details for Down Under.
But the new XRT PRO variant should make Aussie 4WDers sit up and take notice. This isn’t just a styling pack like the Santa Fe XRT – there are functional upgrades to the SUV’s off-road credentials. For starters, the XRT PRO gets an electronic rear limited-slip differential, 213mm of ground clearance – 25mm (approx.) higher than standard models and decent approach (20.5°), departure (22.4°) and breakover (18.3°) angles. It also rolls on all-terrain rubber and sports functional recovery hooks front and rear, which are painted bright red, naturally.
Hyundai also added new terrain modes, including Mud, Sand, and Snow settings—perfect for varied Australian conditions, from beach driving to high-country adventures.
Here’s the rub, though: towing capacity is capped at about 2268kg for the V6 and even less (around 1814kg) for the hybrid. That’s well short of the LandCruiser and Patrol’s 3500kg capability and, frankly, a dealbreaker for Aussie buyers looking to tow caravans, horse floats or serious boats. Let’s be honest; that’s half the reason blokes buy these big rigs in the first place.
Inside, Hyundai’s gone premium without forgetting practicality. The cabin features a horizontal dash layout with soft-touch materials, panoramic displays, and seating for up to eight.
Will The new Palisade tempt Aussies away from their beloved LandCruisers and Patrols?
With that towing limitation, its work will be cut out. But for those who occasionally venture off-road and don’t need to tow the Simpson, the new Palisade might be worth a look when it arrives in Australia, likely in late 2025.
