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Hyundai Australia will bolster its giant SUV lineup subsequent yr when it welcomes a number of new variants of the second-generation Palisade launched this week, together with a brand new off-road flagship and extra inexpensive variants.
Provide constraints see the brand new Palisade launched this month in solely a single Hybrid Calligraphy flagship trim – a far cry from the six drivetrain/trim combos provided for the outgoing first-generation mannequin.
Nevertheless, Hyundai’s native arm has confirmed that the vary will broaden in 2026 with the introduction of recent trim grades, a non-hybrid powertrain, and different cheaper front-wheel drive choices.
Among the many new variants would be the XRT Professional – a extra rugged model that includes an off-road-friendly raised trip peak, all-terrain tyres, and a brand new digital limited-slip differential. Different upgrades embrace a revised entrance fascia, a dark-finish grille, window surrounds and cladding, and uncovered pink restoration hooks entrance and rear.
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The remaining newcomers – further hybrid trim ranges, non-hybrid turbo-petrol variations, and front-wheel drive mannequin grades – are set to sit down under the Hybrid Calligraphy, which is priced from $89,900 earlier than on-road prices.
All new variations will probably arrive for the brand new mannequin yr, commencing mid-2026.
“Actually we’ll see extra variants that sit under this automobile,” mentioned product planning and improvement supervisor Tim Rodgers on the native launch of the brand new Palisade.
“We’ll look to increase the mannequin lineup in a future mannequin yr occasion… I feel the plan can be to try to roll every thing out in a single hit together with XRT Professional – that might be our most popular strategy to go about it.”
Pricing and specs for the extra variants haven’t but been detailed, with selections nonetheless pending relating to the quantity of overlap between the Palisade and its smaller large-SUV stablemate – the Santa Fe – which tops out at $76,900 earlier than on-road prices in Hybrid Calligraphy AWD guise.
Having mentioned that, the XRT Professional is prone to slot in under the Calligraphy, because it does within the US market. The Palisade XRT Professional is obtainable with a V6 in North America, though our equal is about to characteristic four-cylinder energy.
Hyundai has been busily rolling out XRT variants throughout its SUV vary, with the Ioniq 5 electrical SUV, Tucson mid-size SUV, Santa Fe and Palisade all receiving the remedy in North America.
Nevertheless, the XRT sub-brand remains to be comparatively new to Australia – a pair of XRT choice packages had been made out there for the Santa Fe late final yr, however the Palisade is the primary mannequin to obtain an XRT Professional variant Down Below.
Hyundai Australia advised CarExpert that 181 XRT packages have been bought to Santa Fe clients since September final yr, and there’s optimism throughout the firm that this contemporary off-road sub-brand can emulate the success of its N efficiency division.
“We’ve seen success in how N operates, and we’re making an attempt to duplicate a few of that magic with an off-road spirit, so to talk,” mentioned Mr Rodgers.
“XRT is an ideal sub-brand to try this with. You simply have to have a look at what individuals are driving on the highway to see that. Sure, scorching hatches are extremely popular… however so are large lifted 4x4s – individuals are into that. We simply wish to carry the individuals what they need.”
Hyundai Australia can also be banking on cheaper variations of the Palisade to drive already sturdy demand for the massive SUV, even when diesel and petrol V6 variations are now not out there.
Calligraphy apart, the first-generation mannequin was provided in a wide range of trim ranges together with an unnamed base mannequin, the Highlander, and Elite, all of which lowered the price of entry.
Non-hybrid variants will likewise make the Palisade extra accessible. These shall be powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which produces 213kW and 422Nm within the Sonata N Line – down 32kW and 38Nm on the brand new hybrid system.
Entrance-wheel drive variations with each the hybrid and turbo-petrol powertrain may even be provided from subsequent yr.
MORE: 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Professional: Flagship SUV will get rugged version certain for Australia
MORE: Discover the Hyundai Palisade showroom
