2026 Palisade XRT Pro

A genuinely different Palisade, not a trim package

Every other Palisade trim is a comfort ladder — more leather, more screens, more cushioning. The XRT Pro is a different proposition entirely. It's the only trim that doesn't offer front-wheel drive at all; HTRAC all-wheel drive with an electronic limited-slip differential comes standard, because it has to. All-terrain tires and the extra inch of ground clearance change how the Palisade handles a rutted boat-ramp access road or a grass field being used as overflow parking at a Central Florida fairground — situations where a Limited or Calligraphy on street tires would rather not go. The front and rear recovery hooks and the tow hitch, integrated rather than bolted on as an accessory, both say the same thing: this trim was built to actually be used off the pavement, not just styled to look like it.

None of that means the XRT Pro gives up the cabin comforts that make a three-row SUV livable day to day. It still carries a dual-panel sunroof, Bose premium audio, heated 2nd- and 3rd-row seats, a built-in front and rear dashcam, a Head-Up Display, and mountainscape-embossed seats — genuine trim-specific styling touches that set it apart from the comfort-focused trims rather than just borrowing their equipment lists.

What the AWD-only layout means for buyers

Because HTRAC and the eLSD come standard, there's no FWD price to compare against — the $49,370 MSRP already includes the drivetrain every other trim charges roughly $2,000 extra for. The tradeoff is fuel economy: 16 city / 22 highway is the lowest EPA rating in the gas Palisade lineup, about 3 mpg combined behind the FWD SE. For a household that regularly hauls a boat to one of Polk County's lakes or wants the extra ground clearance for a gravel driveway, that tradeoff is usually an easy one to accept.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 2026 Palisade XRT Pro cost?

$49,370 MSRP plus the $1,495 destination charge, before Florida sales tax, tag, and title fees. It's AWD-only, so that's the only configuration available — there's no lower FWD price to compare against. Check current inventory or ask the sales team to source one.

Is the XRT Pro the only off-road Palisade trim?

Yes, for 2026 — it's Hyundai's first off-road-oriented Palisade trim. It's positioned above the SEL Premium and priced essentially alongside the Limited, but its equipment list (all-terrain tires, recovery hooks, integrated tow hitch) doesn't overlap with either.

Does the XRT Pro have less power than other Palisade trims?

No — the identical 287-hp 3.5-liter V6 as every other gas trim. Its lower EPA rating (16/22/19 combined) comes from the all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance, not a different engine or a power reduction.

Can the XRT Pro tow?

Yes — 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, same as the rest of the gas lineup, plus a factory-integrated tow hitch rather than a bolt-on accessory, and front and rear recovery hooks for situations a standard hitch alone doesn't cover.

Is the XRT Pro in stock in Lakeland?

As a new, lower-volume trim, it's worth calling ahead or checking the current Palisade inventory page — the sales team can also locate one through the dealer network if it's not on the lot that day.

The bottom line

The XRT Pro isn't the Palisade for someone counting cupholders and screen sizes — it's the one for someone who actually needs the ground clearance, the recovery hooks, or the built-in hitch, and is willing to trade a few mpg to get them standard rather than aftermarket.