It takes more than stickers and big tires to drive off-road, and Hyundai hopes its new Palisade XRT Pro has what it takes to venture further
๐ The Core Development
Take a look around the world of off-road-themed SUVs , and you'll notice a trend. Plenty of them feature cool graphics. Some get bright, flashy tow hooks. Very few get a lift kit and a serious skid plate. And that last bit is key because there's a sound that can signal just how legitimate your off-road package is.
At Rush Springs Ranch, it came from underneath the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro as its skid plate met the terrain. Suddenly, the most interesting part of this three-row family SUV was a piece of hardware most owners will hopefully never need. And, for those listening closely, it signifies a shift for this badge.
๐ Background & Sector Context
Most of the Palisade's existence has been about making the argument that skipping a luxury badge makes sense. It's always offered comfort, space, and enough equipment that considerably more expensive SUVs look a tad greedy. Sure, general adventure was a part of the pitch, but it was a tiny piece.
With the Palisade XRT Pro, that's all changing. All-terrain tires, additional ground clearance, underbody protection, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential add serious hardware to the badge. We drove it on pavement and off-road to find out how much those changes actually matter.
๐ Industry & Real-World Impact
Full disclosure: Hyundai put me up for a couple of nights in a swanky Bentonville Hotel and fed me while I checked out the Palisade XRT Pro and Tucson XRT.
Benchmark Telemetry & EV Fuel Savings
Put top supercars and EVs to the test in The Pit Stop Lab โ launch head-to-head 1/4-mile drag strip battles & compute EPA electric fuel cost savings.
โก Prefer Visual Stories on Mobile?
Experience this news piece in an interactive 5-slide visual format crafted for mobile devices & Google Discover.
๐ฎ Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
Hyundai provided travel and accommodations to Pineville, Missouri to drive the Palisade XRT Pro and Tucson XRT. CarScoops' opinions are our own.
The current Palisade already has plenty of design cues that contribute to an off-road-focused trim. The broad nose, tall body , and very pronounced lighting signatures give it presence. Importantly, that's all before the XRT Pro treatments enter the equation. Plenty of automakers settle for trying to sell ruggedness with black badging and a fun name.
