Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.First off, it's important to note that I am not the sort of camper who should be trusted with an overlanding setup. My preferred version of camping is the kind where a car company has already assembled the tent, stocked the cooler, put up the tents, and hired an on-site chef and bartender. So when Hyundai handed me a 2026 Palisade XRT Pro with a Thule Foothill 2 rooftop tent mounted on top of it, I knew the test would be less about whether an experienced overlander could set up camp and more about whether someone like me could.That made the Palisade's trip into British Columbia's scenic Squamish Valley feel a bit more nerve-wracking than the typical family-SUV review. I have driven and reviewed the Palisade XRT Pro in a few different settings now (including a week-long, multiple off-road courses, and even some track driving), so I already know it's comfortable, spacious, quiet, and far more pleasant to live with than most vehicles trying to look rugged. At NWAPA's 2026 Mudfest test event, I even voted it my favorite three-row family activity vehicle, though it was ultimately beaten by its pricier platform mate, the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige. This time, though, the question was different: could Hyundai's biggest adventure-looking family SUV actually make a casual camping trip easier? The answer, even for someone as inept in the wilderness as I am, was an astounding yes.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaSpecs And Pricing2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProSpecs / pricingU.S. Starting MSRP$49,870Canadian MSRP$58,149 CADCanadian price as tested$60,549 CADExterior colorCast Iron BrownEngine3.5L GDI V6Output287 hp / 260 lb-ftTransmission8-speed automatic with paddle shiftersDrivetrainHTRAC AWDWheels18-inch alloy wheelsGround clearance212 mm / 8.3 inTowing capacity5,000 lb with trailer brakesEPA Fuel Economy16 / 22 / 19 mpg city/highway/combinedFuel economy (L/100 km)14.3 / 10.6 / 12.7 L/100 km city/highway/combinedCargo Volume19.1 / 46.3 / 86.7 cu-ft behind third/second/first rowCargo volume (L)540 / 1,310 / 2,455 L behind third/second/first rowThinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.My Canadian-market tester was a 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro 3.5L in Cast Iron Brown, with a listed MSRP of $58,149 CAD, $2,400 in freight/PDI, and a total price of $60,549 CAD. Standard equipment on the label includes an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power sunroof, wireless smartphone integration, a 12.3-inch infotainment/navigation system, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaThule's Rooftop Tent Made Setup A BreezeThe Thule Foothill 2 is the perfect roof tent for people who still want to use the rest of their roof. Instead of occupying the entire roof-rack footprint like some rooftop tents, the Foothill 2 is designed to sleep two while leaving room beside it for other gear. On this Palisade, that meant the tent sat alongside a bike mount, but that could just as easily be a spot leftover for a kayak, a surfboard, skis, or whatever other toy you'd like to bring along for your trip into the woods.AdvertisementAdvertisementSetup took two of us no more than 10 minutes, though I admittedly fell off the car a few times trying to balance myself on top of a wheel. We parked in a remote spot in Squamish Valley near the Squamish River, set up the tent, deployed the ladder, arranged the bedding, and had a usable sleeping space before anyone started to scream at one another. The mesh screens kept bugs out well; the elevated position felt more secure and comfortable than pitching a ground tent (especially seeing as we were deep into bear country, and the whole experience made camping feel more accessible rather than more complicated.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaThe Palisade Makes The Drive EasyThe funny thing about the Palisade XRT Pro is that its greatest adventure trait might just be how normal it all feels. Some rugged family SUVs make every mile feel like spinal-cord punishment in favor of better capability over harsher terrain. They drone, bounce, wander, or generally behave as if comfort were never even considered in the development process. The Palisade doesn't feel that way.On the highway to Squamish, it was comfortable and quiet enough that the camping setup felt like an add-on rather than a burden—it didn't even produce much wind noise, which is both a testament to its engineering and to the Palisade's sound-deadening. Its V6 is smooth, the 8-speed automatic behaves naturally, and the HTRAC AWD system gives the Palisade a relaxed confidence that makes dusty, rutted forest service roads feel rather welcoming.Shopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaThe XRT Pro Stuff Helps, Within ReasonThe XRT Pro isn't a hardened rock crawler or dune basher, and the Palisade doesn't suddenly become a Land Cruiser as a result of racier badging. But it does get meaningful upgrades. The XRT Pro's extra ground clearance, all-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, terrain modes, and more rugged tire-and-suspension attitude afford it more confidence on rough forest roads and mild trails than a normal three-row crossover. According to Hyundai, the XRT Pro's ground clearance is 212 mm, compared with 187 mm for regular V6 models, while approach and departure angles also improve.AdvertisementAdvertisementAround Squamish Valley, that was more than enough for our needs. We weren't bashing skid plates through Moab or trying to prove a point to strangers in Jeeps. We were driving through gravel, uneven surfaces, forest access roads, and trailhead-adjacent terrain, which is where many adventure-family SUVs actually live most of the time when they aren't on paved highways. The Palisade handled that easily—it was comfortable enough not to punish us, capable enough not to worry us, and spacious enough to carry the gear and groceries necessary for a short camping excursion.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaThe Accessories Change The Palisade's PersonalityWithout the tent, the Palisade XRT Pro is a comfortable family SUV wearing hiking boots. With the tent, it becomes something more convincing. That doesn't mean everyone needs this exact setup. Rooftop tents add cost, weight, height, and wind resistance. You have to think about where you park (it didn't fit in my underground parking garage), how you pack, and whether the roof setup works for your life. For some families, a normal ground tent will still make more sense.But the appeal is still obvious once you use it. The Foothill 2 turns the Palisade into a simple base camp without compromising the roof's usefulness or the car's comfort. The bike mount beside it is more than a nice detail; it's the reason the setup works as well as it does. It means the SUV can support a realistic weekend plan: drive to the trailhead, ride, hike, paddleboard, set up camp, and sleep above the wet ground, where you can feel slightly distanced from potential bear encounters.2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT ProCole AttishaFinal VerdictThe 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro isn't the most extreme adventure SUV, but that isn't its job. Its job is to carry people comfortably, handle family life with ease, and give owners the ability to reach places that would normally take a bit of extra planning. Add a smart rooftop tent like the Thule Foothill 2, and the Palisade becomes more than a rugged-looking three-row crossover. It becomes an accessible little campsite on wheels. The accessibility is what impressed me most.AdvertisementAdvertisementI didn't need to be an experienced camper, nor did I need to spend half an hour swearing at a paper instruction manual and a set of metal poles. We enjoyed the picturesque drive into Squamish Valley, set up camp in about 10 minutes, kept the bugs out, and slept above the forest floor, while still leaving enough space on the roof for other gear. The Palisade XRT Pro doesn't turn camping into an extreme sport; it makes the idea feel so easy that anyone can do it spontaneously. For most families, that felt far more useful than pretending it could cross the Rubicon.Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
