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Hyundai Australia has added a cheaper Elite grade to its new-generation Palisade line-up, cutting the list price by $13,400.
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A more-affordable version of the new-generation Hyundai Palisade will arrive in Australia soon, nearly six months after it launched in a single high-specification Calligraphy grade.
On sale now, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite reduces the cost of the eight-seat hybrid SUV by $13,400, from $89,900 before on-road costs for the Calligraphy to $76,500 for the new grade.
Compared to the Calligraphy, the Elite misses out on nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front and outer second-row seats, heated third-row seats, a head-up display, remote parking, and ambient interior lighting.
It also lacks additional power seat adjustment – including electric bolsters – rear sunshades, laminated glass, a UV-C sterilisation tray, power steering wheel adjustment, a digital rear-view mirror, suede headlining, and optional second-row captain's chairs for a seven-seat capacity.
Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels – down from 21 inches – a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluelink telematics with over-the-air software updates and digital phone key support.
The Elite is also fitted with a 14-speaker Bose audio system, black leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, and automatic lane-change assist on designated highways.
A Palisade XRT Pro grade with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tyres is expected to follow in Australia by the middle of the year, joining the Elite and Calligraphy.
With the addition of the new Elite grade, the entry price difference between the outgoing and new models has fallen to $9700 above the V6 petrol FWD and $5700 above the diesel AWD – compared to nearly $25,000 when it was only offered in the Calligraphy grade.
Above the outgoing Elite, the new model includes features previously limited to the Calligraphy, including a surround-view camera, low-speed reverse automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot cameras, and a touch-type climate control panel.
However, it no longer comes with a sunroof, with the Calligraphy's dual-panel sunroof remaining exclusive to that grade, with front panel sliding and tilting.
Available colours include Creamy White, Abyss Black, Classy Blue, Ecotronic Grey, Galaxy Maroon and Shimmering Silver, but not the Calligraphy's optional Robust Emerald and Cast Iron Brown finishes.
The Palisade Elite remains powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine matched with an electric motor, for a total system output of 245kW and 460Nm.
Combined fuel consumption for the hybrid all-wheel-drive Palisade is rated at 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite is on sale now in Australia, ahead of the arrival of the more-rugged XRT Pro grade in the coming months.
2026 Hyundai Palisade price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Elite standard features:
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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
