More rugged family haulers are what’s hot right now, and we have two brand-new examples right here!
If you’re shopping your next seven- or eight-passenger family rig, you’re still as spoiled for choice as you ever have been. Taking it a step further, too, you can go pretty much anywhere to get a more off-road(ish) version of that family SUV. Be it a Chevy Traverse Z71, a Ford Explorer Tremor or the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro or Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, many of these adventure-minded models are available for around $50,000. In this head-to-head review (video below), Jen and Nathan check out the new Hyundai Palisade against the refreshed 2026 Nissan Pathfinder.
As three-row SUV rivals go, these two are remarkably close on specs.
While you need look no further than Hyundai’s sister company to find the most direct alternative to the Palisade, the Kia Telluride X-Pro, the Nissan Pathfinder is another remarkably close competitor.
Both SUVs have a V6 powertrain, for example. No hybridization or forced induction here: each uses a 3.5-liter V6 under its hood. Although they are obviously different V6s, each is pretty close when it comes to output. The Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek has a slight edge here, where its engine manages 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, to the Palisade XRT Pro’s 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. Now, you can get the Palisade in hybrid form (an option that’s not yet available for the Pathfinder), but its most rugged trim is only available with a gas engine. The Palisade uses an 8-speed automatic in this application, while the Pathfinder gets a 9-speed.
On the everyday capability front, the Pathfinder is also able to tow up to 6,000 pounds, while the Palisade tops out at 5,000 pounds.
You can split the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro and Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek on styling, particularly depending on your stance toward Hyundai’s boxier design philosophy in this generation. Both functionally have similar bits and pieces to create their off-road trims, however, including chunkier all-terrain tires, standard all-wheel drive and tweaked suspension. The Palisade brings an advantage on ground clearance (it actually gets a lift to offer 8.4 inches of ground clearance, to the Pathfinder’s 7.7 inches), and the XRT Pro offers an electronic rear limited-slip differential as well as prominent recovery hooks.
Inside, both SUVs also get some special touches to set them apart from the other trims in their respective lineups. If anything, the Pathfinder is a little bit more fun, by way of its orange accents and gloss black trim. The Palisade, at least in this spec, is just a little bit bland (though still plenty practical and comfortable).
What about price?
As far as general space, comfort, practicality and capability, choosing between the Palisade XRT Pro or Pathfinder Rock Creek may be down to your preference. One area you can really split them, though, is on price.
In terms of dollars and cents, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek is solid value in the class. While the 2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro currently comes in at about $51,740 including destination, you can pick up the Pathfinder Rock Creek for $46,345 ($45K plus destination). That $5,000-plus savings is significant, and does make a strong case for the Pathfinder as a family rig, even if it’s compromised a little more on “off-road” capability against its rivals.
Which would you choose? Check out more on Jen and Nathan’s impressions in the video below:
