Hyundai is planning to build more of its off-road-ish XRT Pro models as well as grow the N Performance brand by adding more of those to its lineup. The current XRT Pro version of the Palisade SUV offers a little bit of both, with all-terrain capability and "a little bit of N about it." That's according to Hyundai officials in Australia, at least, where the model is not yet on sale. N Performance Helped Shape The Palisade XRT Pro Hyundai The Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro went on sale in the US last year, offering significant upgrades over the previous XRT models. Upgrades include an extra inch of ground clearance, an exclusive limited-slip rear differential, and all-terrain tires. All that helps make the Palisade more capable (and comfortable) when you're driving it down dirt or gravel roads.Australian site Carsales spoke with local product planning manager Tim Rogers at the down-under launch of the Ioniq 6 N. Rogers was describing the benefits and drawbacks of the unibody Palisade against ladder frame competitors in that market like the Toyota Prado and Ranger-based Ford Everest. And he had some interesting things to say considering this is a large SUV with an off-road theme."Being a monocoque off-road vehicle, it actually has a lot of advantages too … and where we identified is actually high-speed off-road driving," he said.Hyundai "It’s quite enjoyable and playful in that sense where maybe some of these ladder-frame offerings aren’t quite as fun to drive, and from our experience from N, we value that," he said. "XRT Pro is a very different formula, but funnily enough, when we get to the actual product and the qualities it delivers, and the experience it delivers, it’s actually got a little bit of N about it."If you want to go rock-crawling or deep into the bush, Rogers was well aware that those truck-based competitors are better-equipped to handle those extreme situations. But as he pointed out, most buyers aren't looking for that. XRT Pro Is Made For Long Gravel Roads Ty Duffy/CarBuzz/Valnet "In Australia, doing long distances on gravel roads and everyday gravel road driving is a thing, and I think we’ve paid attention to that," he said. The Palisade XRT Pro, which has a specific Australia tune for the suspension, is more comfortable and more enjoyable on those surfaces. Like the last road to reach a remote cottage, or well-maintained fire roads in the US.Is his N Performance comparison a bit of a generous one? Probably, though it's not entirely unfounded. That's the thing about designing performance cars. They're good for branding, but they're also good for the brand. The lessons learned about handling at the race track can apply directly to how the regular cars drive. It's why even a BMW X1 or base 911 Carrera is enjoyable from behind the wheel, not just the M3 and GT3.Since the US doesn't have quite the same stretches of long gravel roads Australia does, we'd still love to see an N model offered here. One that could turn a days-long family road trip drives into something a little more fun for the parent behind the wheel, not just the kids enjoying the Palisade's comfort in the back.