Palisade XRT Pro Review: What CarExpert and Drive Say
The Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro is a comfortable eight seat family SUV with real light off road ability, and two of Australia’s leading motoring publications agree. CarExpert rated it Very Good and Drive scored it 7.7 out of 10. Both praised the ride and cabin space, and both flagged the fuel use of its 2.5 litre turbo petrol engine. It’s priced from $79,900 before on road costs.
What do CarExpert and Drive say about the Palisade XRT Pro?
CarExpert and Drive both reviewed the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro at its Australian launch in September 2026. Both rated it positively, and both named fuel use as its main weakness.
| CarExpert | Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewer | Josh Nevett, Deputy Road Test Editor | Zane Dobie |
| Published | ||
| Rating | Very Good | 7.7 out of 10 |
| Liked | More capable off road, comfortable on road, family friendly cabin | Comfortable ride, spacious eight seat interior, sensible physical buttons |
| Didn’t like | Still trails proper 4x4s, thirsty, short 10,000 km service intervals | Engine works harder without hybrid help, thirsty, polarising styling |
| Full review | Read on CarExpert | Read on Drive |
CarExpert: rated Very Good
CarExpert’s Josh Nevett found that the XRT Pro’s suspension lift, all terrain tyres and electronic limited slip differential add genuine capability without spoiling the Palisade’s on road comfort. His verdict: “it remains one of the most spacious and comfortable family SUVs mainstream money can buy.” Read the full CarExpert review.
Drive: rated 7.7 out of 10
Drive’s Zane Dobie tested the XRT Pro on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and at a driver training centre. He concluded that “despite being a relatively strange concept, the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro is quite a bit of fun”, and that “overall, it genuinely is a nice car to drive on the road.” Read the full Drive review.
How much is the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro in Australia?
How is the XRT Pro different from the Palisade hybrid?
The XRT Pro is the only new generation Palisade in Australia without hybrid power. It trades the hybrid’s extra power and fuel economy for more ground clearance, a higher towing limit and dedicated off road hardware.
| Palisade XRT Pro | Palisade hybrid grades | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $79,900 before on road costs | From $76,500 (Elite) to $93,400 (Calligraphy Black Ink seven seat), before on road costs |
| Engine | 2.5 litre turbo petrol | 2.5 litre turbo petrol hybrid |
| Power and torque | 207 kW and 422 Nm | 245 kW and 460 Nm |
| Transmission | Eight speed automatic | Six speed automatic |
| Ground clearance | 212 mm | 187 mm |
| Braked towing | 2,200 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Off road hardware | Electronic limited slip differential, Terrain Mode (Mud, Sand, Snow), front and rear recovery hooks, 18 inch Continental all terrain tyres | Not fitted |
| Claimed combined fuel use | 11.2 L/100 km | 6.8 L/100 km (Elite) |
| Upholstery | Black synthetic leather look with XRT embroidery | Leather |
Is the Palisade XRT Pro a real off roader?
The Palisade XRT Pro is a more capable all wheel drive family SUV, not a low range 4x4. Both CarExpert and Drive found it handles light off road work well. CarExpert was clear that it still trails body on frame 4WDs.
In practice, it’s built for gravel roads to a campsite, wet grass at a sports oval and a steep boat ramp at Manly with a trailer on the back. If your weekends involve soft sand on Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island, a proper low range 4x4 is still the safer choice. Bartons Motor Group carries body on frame 4x4s across several other franchise brands, so we can show you both options.
How much fuel does the Palisade XRT Pro use?
The Palisade XRT Pro has a claimed combined fuel use of 11.2 L/100 km, which comes from standardised lab testing. CarExpert recorded about 11.0 L/100 km on its test drive. Both reviewers called it thirsty compared with the hybrid Palisade, which claims 6.8 L/100 km in Elite trim. Real world figures will vary with load, towing and terrain.
Who should buy the Palisade XRT Pro over the hybrid?
The XRT Pro makes the most sense for families who tow regularly or leave the bitumen often. Its extra 200 kg of braked towing and 25 mm of extra ground clearance earn their keep there. If most of your driving is suburban commuting around Wynnum, Capalaba and the wider Bayside, the hybrid Palisade will cost noticeably less to fuel each week.
Bartons Motor Group has been family owned since 1945, serving Brisbane’s Bayside for over 80 years. Book a test drive and we’ll put the XRT Pro and the hybrid side by side so you can feel the difference yourself.