Lately, automakers have discovered a lucrative irony of turning family crossovers into gutsy off-roaders aimed to survive a dirt parking lot. Chevrolet originally kicked off this trend in the 1980s and ’90s with the Z71, then Jeep later parlayed into the Trailhawk. It made sense for those brands’ core crowds. But these days, manufacturers seem certain the next big selling point is a crossover that can handle rugged weekend escapades, but not before stopping at the Farmers Market first.

This trend has been following into several family crossovers; Nissan has their Rock Creek trim on the Pathfinder, Ford expanded their Tremor model to the Explorer, Honda has the Pilot TrailSport, Kia has the X-Pro on their Telluride and as for Hyundai, well they have the XRT Pro.

Perhaps a couple of those crossovers, like the Pathfinder and Pilot could make a compelling argument given their brands DNA. However, for Hyundai and their all-new 2026 Palisade, an XRT Pro off-road variant is not one of them.

Hyundai has been tackling a bold, audacious design direction lately as we previous saw with the Hyundai Santa Fe. While I didn’t have the chance to review the previous generation Palisade, I always regarded it as a study in restrained, timeless elegance that separated itself from the competition. This current model, by contrast, reads more like a page from a comic book universe. The front fascia with its five stacked darkened LED daytime running lights, a dominant grille, and coordinated taillights projects a villainous silhouette rather than refine elegance.

Our XRT Pro off-road variant reinforces this media-ready tone of red tow hooks at the front and rear, modest, but not all-that-chunky all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels, and ample black cladding that might suggest an entry-level ruggedness more than a true off-road proposition.

Surprisingly, the Palisade’s performance has regressed relative to its predecessor, moving from a 3.8-liter V-6 to a 3.5-liter unit. Power and torque dip from 291 hp/262 lb-ft to 287 hp/260 lb-ft. The eight-speed automatic remains, but Hyundai touts a new iteration of the transmission. Even though I didn’t drive the previous Palisade, I did spend meaningful seat time in the Kia Telluride, which shares the same powertrain. While the numerical differences from the previous generation to this new one are modest, the on-road feel is noticeably less vigorous than before, particularly in the low-to-mid range. The transmission feels restrained to be on an economy run as its eager to upshift but then demands more throttle input to maintain momentum. We found using the Custom drive mode and selecting a sportier transmission response yielded a markedly different impression.

Shifting to the XRT Pro adds 1 inch of ground clearance, raising ride height from 7.4 inches to 8.4 inches. Off-road capability is enhanced by a 20.5-degree approach angle and a 22.4-degree departure angle. The XRT Pro also introduces real-time pitch and roll displays with elevation readouts, plus three off-road drive modes—Mud, Sand, and Snow. What’s most surprising is that the Palisade’s suspension. The beefier tires may help, but the real story is the ride quality as road imperfections fade into the background, and even when you stray off paved surfaces, the suspension behaves with a commendable composure.

Inside, the Palisade’s interior feels underwhelming relative to its predecessor, which offered richer materials, color contrasts, and embossed design elements in the door panels and seats. In this 2026 model, the cabin reads as largely restrained and monochromatic. The XRT Pro is limited to a single interior theme, black with a dark wood accent, though the color-changing ambient light provides a welcome and customizable contrast.

As a family hauler, the Palisade performs well. The front seats are comfortable with solid support for long drives, and the rear cabin offers ample space with standard captain’s chairs. Access to the third row is straightforward via a push of a button, though, as with most three-row SUVs, it’s best regarded as a compromise for occasional use.

The XRT Pro sits a notch below the top Calligraphy trim, with a starting price of $49,870. It includes a solid list of standard amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate, a 360-degree camera with blind-spot assist, and Hyundai’s suite of safety technologies, including Highway Driving Assist.

It’s not my place to judge how anyone chooses to use their family SUV, and if you’ve got a taste for rugged in a family crossover, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro will get the job done. That said, I’d personally lean toward the Calligraphy for that extra layer of premium touches because there’s a stronger case for splurging on refined comfort features than for the infrequent off-road detours that may occasionally cross our paths.