Preferred Trend, XRT PRO, or Luxury Hybrid: How the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Lineup Stacks Up in New Brunswick
May 11 2026,
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade carries HTRAC All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment across every single trim in the lineup. Preferred Trend, XRT PRO, Luxury, Ultimate Calligraphy, and their hybrid variants all ship with AWD. No option selection is required. For buyers in Woodstock and across New Brunswick, that removes one of the most common purchase questions from the table before you even start comparing trims.
What remains is choosing between two powertrain types, five trim levels, and two seating configurations. Here is a direct breakdown of how each configuration differs on powertrain, cabin, technology, and intended use.
The Two Powertrains Available in the 2026 Palisade Lineup
Before comparing trims, the powertrain split matters.
The 3.5L V6 GDI produces 287 hp and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It targets a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) and is standard on the Preferred Trend and XRT PRO. It is also the base engine on Ultimate Calligraphy, with the Hybrid available as an option on that trim.
The 2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid produces a combined system output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed hybrid automatic transmission. Towing capacity on the Hybrid is 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg). The Hybrid targets 7.9 L/100 km on the highway and a range of more than 800 km on a full tank. It is standard on the Luxury trim and optional on the Ultimate Calligraphy.
Preferred Trend: The V6 Starting Point
The Preferred Trend is the entry trim for the 2026 Palisade. It carries the 3.5L V6 with 287 hp, 8-speed automatic, HTRAC AWD, and 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) of towing capacity. Seating is 8 passengers in a 2-3-3 layout with leatherette surfaces.
The Preferred Trend comes fully equipped with 20" alloy wheels, a single-type power sunroof, LED lighting throughout, and a smart hands-free power tailgate. Inside, the 12.3" touchscreen infotainment, 12.3" digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Passenger Talk 2.0 in-car telecom system are all standard. Heated front and 2nd-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control are included.
The safety suite at this level covers Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with car, pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning, and direct oncoming detection; Lane Following Assist 2; Adaptive Cruise Control 2; Blind-Spot Collision Warning; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; Driver Attention Warning; and Safe Exit Assist.
Preferred Trend is for: Buyers who want a full-size three-row SUV with V6 power, a generous standard feature list, and the highest towing capacity in the lineup.
XRT PRO: Off-Road Capability on the V6 Platform
The XRT PRO builds on the Preferred Trend and adds hardware for off-road and rough-road capability. Key additions include an Electronic Rear Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD), XRT-exclusive 18" alloy wheels with Continental all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, a factory-integrated tow hitch, an XRT-exclusive dark-type front grille, grey skid plate design, matte black exterior handles and mirrors, and dark daytime running lights.
Inside, the XRT PRO moves to 7-passenger seating in a 2-2-3 layout with captain’s chairs in the second row. It adds Driver’s Integrated Memory System, ventilated front seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar, LED ambient interior lighting, a 115V interior power outlet, and the Bose 14-speaker audio system.
Safety upgrades include Surround View Monitor, Blind View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist 1, Parking Distance Warning (side), and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (rear).
XRT PRO is for: New Brunswick buyers who want a Palisade with off-road hardware, a tow hitch, all-terrain tires, and a rugged exterior look without moving into the hybrid powertrain.
Luxury: The Hybrid Entry Point
The Luxury trim is where the 2.5L Turbo Hybrid powertrain becomes standard. It carries 329 hp, 339 lb-ft of torque, a 6-speed hybrid automatic, HTRAC AWD, and 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) of towing capacity.
Seating returns to an 8-passenger 2-3-3 layout with full leather surfaces. The Luxury adds Driver’s Integrated Memory System, ventilated front seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar, an electrochromic rearview mirror with HomeLink, heated 3rd-row seats, and 4-way power-adjustable 3rd-row seats. A factory-integrated tow hitch and power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors are added at this level.
Technology adds the Bose 14-speaker audio system. Safety adds Surround View Monitor, Blind View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist 1, Parking Distance Warning (side), and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (rear).
Luxury is for: Buyers who want the hybrid efficiency, 329 hp, and a leather cabin with full technology, at the starting point of the Palisade Hybrid lineup.
Ultimate Calligraphy: The Flagship Trim
The Ultimate Calligraphy is the top specification and is available with either the 3.5L V6 or the 2.5L Turbo Hybrid. It builds on the Preferred Trend base and adds the most extensive feature set in the Palisade lineup.
Exterior changes include Calligraphy-exclusive 21" alloy wheels, a dual-pane power sunroof, chrome front grille, side sill garnish, body-colour cladding, a factory-integrated tow hitch, and power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors. The seating configuration is 7 passengers in a 2-2-3 layout with 2nd-row captain’s chairs.
Inside: Nappa leather quilted seating surfaces, ventilated first and second-row seats, relaxation mode for both first and second-row seats, 4-way power-adjustable 3rd-row seats, heated 3rd-row seats, a Driver’s Ergo-Motion seat, Driver’s Integrated Memory System, microfibre suede headliner and pillars, quilted Calligraphy-type door trim, a UV-C sterilization tray, a digital rearview mirror, and a built-in dual-channel dashcam recorder.
Technology adds a Head-Up Display, Bose 14-speaker audio, a 115V interior power outlet, and a digital rearview mirror.
Safety at this level upgrades to Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with expanded detection (junction crossing, lane-change side), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, Remote Smart Parking Assist 1, Surround View Monitor, Blind View Monitor, Parking Distance Warning (side), Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (rear), and Forward Attention Warning with Distracted Driver Monitoring.
Ultimate Calligraphy is for: Buyers who want the fully equipped Palisade with Nappa leather, HDA 2, the Nappa leather interior, the Head-Up Display, the built-in dashcam, and relaxation seating in both rows.
Full Trim Comparison at a Glance
|
Feature |
Preferred Trend |
XRT PRO |
Luxury Hybrid |
Ult. Calligraphy |
|
Powertrain |
3.5L V6 (287 hp) |
3.5L V6 (287 hp) |
2.5L Turbo HEV (329 hp) |
V6 or HEV (optional) |
|
Seating |
8-pass (2-3-3) |
7-pass (2-2-3) |
8-pass (2-3-3) |
7-pass (2-2-3) |
|
Towing |
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
V6: 5,000 / HEV: 4,000 lbs |
|
Seat Material |
Leatherette |
Leatherette |
Leather |
Nappa Leather |
|
HDA Level |
No |
HDA 1 |
HDA 1 |
HDA 2 |
|
Head-Up Display |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Sunroof |
Single Panel |
No |
No |
Dual Panel |
|
Bose Audio |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
V6 Tow Hitch |
No |
Yes |
Yes (Hybrid hitch) |
Yes |
Book Your Test Drive at Thomas Hyundai in Woodstock
Visit the team at Thomas Hyundai in Woodstock to compare the 2026 Palisade trims in person. If the Hybrid’s 329 hp and fuel efficiency are the priority, or if the XRT PRO’s off-road hardware suits your New Brunswick driving, the team can walk you through each configuration and help you find the right fit.
