Palisade and Santa Fe subject to regionally-relevant enhancements.

TWO high-profile Hyundai sports utility products here have attracted updates that could interest Kiwi fans.

The make’s operation across the Tasman has announced a new variant of the Palisade large SUV also sold in New Zealand.

The XRT Pro (above) adds a number of new features to help its off-road capability and is also the first new-generation Palisade model for this part of the world that doesn’t use a hybrid drivetrain.

Instead, it’s propelled by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine making 207kW and 422Nm. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and, of course, all-wheel drive as standard. Fuel economy and emissions figures are yet to be revealed.

Additionally, in South Korea, Hyundai has confirmed a version of the Santa Fe will be its first product with a electric propulsion system that uses a petrol engine working solely as a generator to charge the battery. The same approach is already represented in NZ by Nissan, behind the e-Power badge.

Production of the Santa Fe EREV (below) starts in the first half of 2027 and a claimed range of more than 966km is cited.

The model’s release is likely to coincide with a facelift for the Santa Fe range, due to be revealed in the next nine months.

There is no word from Hyundai NZ about the potential for either coming here, but the XRT would conceivably be a relatively easy addition if sought.

Based on an entry-level Palisade Elite that also doesn’t show here, but avails in Australia, the XRT Pro adds a number of off-road features for superior ability off the beaten track, including increased ground clearance at 212mm (versus 187mm for other Palisade models), an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Continental all-terrain tyres on 18-inch rims and mud, sand and snow off-road driving modes.

Hyundai Australia says it has also given the XRT Pro a unique suspension tune compared to other Palisade models, including off-road-focused hardware and geometry that is entirely different from the standard Palisade.

On the outside, the Palisade XRT Pro has bolder styling features like a metallic treatment for the front grille, blacked-out detailing and XRT Pro badging, a factory-fitted tow bar and red recovery hooks. A new Titan Charcoal colour is also available.

Inside, the XRT Pro adds a number of design features to set it apart from its stablemates, including XRT branding on the dashboard and headrests, blacked-out controls and unique seat patterns with mountain-like inlays for the black synthetic leather upholstery.

Meantime, Hyundai has used it investor day to promise an avalanche of new products, though not all are global.

In its home market, 49 new or updated models are planned. Europe will see 41 debuts, with 26 coming to India and 22 in China. It also intends to build more N models, with a goal of selling 100,000 units a year.