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You can buy a petrol-powered Hyundai Palisade once again, with the more rugged XRT Pro arriving shortly.

News Editor


News Editor
The Hyundai Palisade range has continued to expand since the second-generation model touched down in Australia late in 2025.
Initially available only in top Calligraphy trim, the second-generation large SUV range was joined by a more affordable Elite variant in March 2026, followed by a blacked-out range-topper called the Calligraphy Black Ink in July.
The more rugged XRT Pro is touching down in September 2026. While Hyundai offered an XRT version of the previous Palisade overseas, this is the first time the Korean brand has offered a more off-road-oriented variant of its flagship combustion-powered SUV in Australia.
All current-generation Palisades have come with a turbocharged hybrid powertrain until the XRT Pro, which has the same turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine but without the hybrid system. It also swaps the hybrid variants' six-speed automatic transmission for an eight-speed auto.
The XRT Pro is easily distinguished from other Palisades by its unique grille, 25mm of extra ground clearance, red front and rear recovery hooks, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels in Continental all-terrain tyres.
Underneath, it features a bespoke Australian suspension tune, and Hyundai says it has "off-road-focused hardware and geometry entirely different from Elite and Calligraphy variants". It can also tow more, with a 200kg bump in braked towing capacity to 2200kg.

The XRT Pro also gains a Terrain Mode system comprising Mud, Sand and Snow settings, Downhill Brake Control, a ground-view monitor, and dedicated off-road displays showing real-time pitch and roll, compass and elevation.
It's the first time the Palisade has been offered here with the combination of petrol power and all-wheel drive. All other current-generation Palisades are all-wheel drive hybrids, while the previous Palisade was sold here only in front-wheel drive petrol or all-wheel drive diesel variants.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Elite (8-seat) | $76,500 |
| Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro (8-seat) | $79,900 |
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy (8-seat) | $89,828 |
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy (7-seat) | $90,828 |
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink (8-seat) | $92,400 |
| Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy Black Ink (7-seat) | $93,400 |
There are now two powertrains in the local Palisade lineup. All-wheel drive is standard across the range.


| Specifications | Palisade Hybrid | Palisade XRT Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L turbo-petrol 4cyl hybrid | 2.5L turbo-petrol 4cyl |
| Engine outputs | 192kW + 353Nm | 207kW + 422Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | 54kW + 264Nm | - |
| System outputs | 245kW + 460Nm | - |
| Battery | 1.65kWh | - |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2175-2304kg | 2258kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.8L/100km | 11.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 72L | 72L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 | Euro 5 |
| Braked towing capacity | 2000kg | 2200kg |
The Palisade is a large crossover SUV with either seven or eight seats across three rows.




| Dimensions | Palisade Hybrid | Palisade XRT Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5060-5065mm | 5090mm |
| Width | 1980mm | 1980mm |
| Height | 1805mm | 1830mm |
| Wheelbase | 2970mm | 2970mm |
| Cargo capacity | 300L – behind third row712L – third row folded2081L – second and third rows folded | 317L – behind third row2098L – second and third rows folded |
| Ground clearance | 187mm | 212mm |
| Approach angle | 18.6º | 20.5º |
| Departure angle | 21.1º | 22.4º |
| Ramp over angle | 15.5º | 18.3º |
The Palisade is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, extending to seven-year, unlimited-kilometre coverage if you service within Hyundai’s dealer network. The Palisade Hybrid's battery is backed by a separate eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, and Hyundai offers capped-price servicing.
The first seven services are priced as follows:
| Service | Hybrid | XRT Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months/10,000km | $444 | $408 |
| 24 months/20,000km | $705 | $510 |
| 36 months/30,000km | $524 | $512 |
| 48 months/40,000km | $722 | $528 |
| 60 months/50,000km | $444 | $408 |
| 72 months/60,000km | $802 | $632 |
| 84 months/70,000km | $755 | $754 |
The Hyundai Palisade has a five-star rating from independent safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2025.

| Category | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 89 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 86 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 71 per cent |
| Safety assist | 73 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
The Calligraphy and Calligraphy Black Ink also include:
There are now four members of the Palisade lineup.




The Elite comes standard with the following equipment:




Over the Elite, the XRT Pro adds:




Over the Elite, the Calligraphy adds:




The Calligraphy Black Ink adds:
The Calligraphy and Calligraphy Black Ink are available with a seven-seat option, which features second-row ‘relaxation comfort seats’ (captain’s chairs) with individual fold-down armrests.
Creamy White paint is standard across the Palisade range.
All optional finishes cost an additional $750, with the Calligraphy Black Ink only optionally available in Abyss Black.
The following paint finishes are available:
The Elite, XRT Pro and Calligraphy Black Ink are available only with a black interior, with the Calligraphy offering the following colourways for an additional $295:
William Stopford is an automotive journalist with a passion for mainstream cars, automotive history and overseas auto markets.


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