Australia’s 2026 Hyundai Palisade range has been bolstered by a new entry-level Elite grade, and there’s a more rugged off-road hero spec likely to come later in the year.
“We’re happy to say Elite is on the way… And then we’re going to look to expand the Palisade model lineup with XRT Pro later on. So lots of activity,” Hyundai Australia product development and planning manager Tim Rodgers told CarExpert at the recent launch of the Elexio electric SUV.
The Elite is due here in March 2026, priced at $76,500 before on-road costs – reducing the cost of entry into the new-generation large SUV range by $13,400.
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The new 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite, like the Calligraphy that debuted the second-generation model here late last year, is offered exclusively with the brand’s new 245kW/460Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged hybrid system.
A non-hybrid version of the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol powertrain is available in other markets like Hyundai’s home of South Korea, producing 207kW of power and 422Nm of torque and mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This powertrain has appeared in Australian Government certification documents published this week, with both front- and all-wheel drive configurations. Braked towing capacity is listed as being slightly higher than hybrid variants at 2200kg (vs 2000kg).
Also appearing in these documents is a front-wheel drive version of the Palisade Hybrid, plus the more rugged XRT Pro. All are listed as offering a choice of seven- or eight-seat configurations.
Apart from the XRT Pro, it’s unclear how many of these variants Hyundai will offer in Australia. The previous-generation Palisade range opened with the front-wheel drive petrol V6-powered Elite, priced at $66,800 plus on-roads.
The XRT Pro, meanwhile, is a more adventurous variant with exclusive styling and equipment to improve off-road capability. While not sold in Korea (yet), the XRT Pro debuted alongside the wider Palisade range at the 2025 New York motor show.
It’s available exclusively with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and AWD in the US, but Australian Government approval documents list it with the non-hybrid 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four, along with all-wheel drive.
In the US market, the XRT Pro offers the following:
- Electronic rear limited-slip differential – eLSD
- 8.4-inches of ground clearance (~213mm)
- 1.0-inch (~25.4mm) more than standard Palisade
- Improved approach, departure and breakover angles
- 20.5 x 22.4 x 18.3 degrees
- 255/60 R18 all-terrain tyres
- Real-time pitch and roll, compass and elevation displays
- Mud, Sand and Snow terrain modes
- Exposed recovery hooks in Canyon Red – front, rear
- Downhill Brake Control
- Tow mode with OEM tow hitch
- 115-volt power outlet
The second-generation Hyundai Palisade was launched in Australia in November 2025, exclusively in high-grade Calligraphy trim and wearing a starting price higher than the most expensive version of its predecessor.
In 2025 the Palisade range – including runout examples of the previous model – attracted 2364 sales, down 22.8 per cent on the year prior and accounting for a 1.7 per cent share of the mainstream large SUV segment.
The Palisade also debuted Hyundai’s latest-generation hybrid powertrain technology, which claims to offer improved efficiency and performance – you can read more about it here.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.