Does HTRAC All-Wheel Drive on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade make winter driving easier near Hastings, NE?

Dec 23, 2025

Hyundai of Grand Island – Does HTRAC All-Wheel Drive on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade make winter driving easier near Hastings, NE?

Winter in central Nebraska asks a lot from a family SUV, from pre-dawn commutes on US-281 to weekend drives along I-80 when the wind picks up across open fields. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade answers with available HTRAC® All-Wheel Drive, new Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain modes, and a platform that is larger, more refined, and remarkably quiet. At Hyundai of Grand Island, we help shoppers near Hastings, NE, understand how HTRAC® works in real weather and why the Palisade’s updated traction logic, towing intelligence, and driver-assist features come together to deliver confident control when conditions change.

HTRAC® in the 2026 Palisade is designed as a multi-mode system that actively moves torque between the front and rear axles to help the tires find grip. The new model layers in a dedicated Tow Mode, refined calibration for Normal, Sport, and Smart drive settings, and terrain-specific tuning for Snow, Mud, and Sand. Add available comforts such as heated seats in multiple rows, a full-display digital center rearview mirror that cuts through rear-window snow glare, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ on a panoramic dual 12.3-inch display, and you get an SUV that feels calm, connected, and capable even when the forecast is not.

To make the technology more tangible for everyday Hastings driving, here is how the system behaves in common scenarios our team is asked about.

Sensor-driven torque distribution: HTRAC® continually monitors wheel slip and driver inputs, then sends power to the axle with more available traction, helping you launch smoothly on plowed-but-slick intersections or when pulling away from a stoplight on black ice.
Snow Terrain Mode: This setting softens throttle response, optimizes shift timing, and directs torque to keep the vehicle composed on packed snow and refrozen slush, which is ideal for neighborhood streets and rural routes around Hastings.
Drive Mode integration: Normal balances stability and efficiency, Sport sharpens responses by shifting more torque rearward for confident passing on wet highways, and Smart adapts to your inputs automatically when conditions vary mile to mile.
Tow Mode logic: When equipped, Tow Mode holds lower gears longer and reduces shift frequency, helping the Palisade stay settled while pulling a trailer in cold, gusty crosswinds; the 2026 Palisade targets up to a 5,000 lb. max towing capacity on ICE models and up to 4,000 lb. on Hybrid models.
Terrain-ready hardware: The available XRT PRO adds 8.4 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, Downhill Brake Control, and an electronic rear limited-slip differential for more confident traction on unpaved or drifted-in access roads.

Because Nebraska winter is about more than traction alone, the Palisade backs HTRAC® with features that add confidence before, during, and after every drive. Ten airbags are now standard, including third-row coverage, and Hyundai SmartSense technologies such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Following Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist support your awareness when visibility drops. A built-in dual-camera Dash Cam can record while driving and when parked, and wireless Over-The-Air updates help keep key vehicle systems current. Families who choose the first-ever 2026 Palisade Hybrid also get robust performance — up to a targeted 329 combined horsepower and an internally targeted range of up to an estimated 619 miles — along with a new Stay Mode that lets the vehicle power infotainment and climate features while parked for school pickups or sideline warming breaks.

Inside, winter-friendly comforts make every cold start easier. Available heated first-, second-, and even third-row seating, plus Relaxation seats in the first and second rows, help reduce fatigue during longer nighttime drives. 100-watt USB-C ports in every row keep devices powered for holiday road trips, Bose® 14-speaker premium audio fills the quiet cabin with clear sound, and Digital Key 2.0 Premium lets you lock, unlock, and start the Palisade with a compatible smartphone or smartwatch — useful when gloves are on, and keys are buried. It all adds up to an SUV that feels engineered for the Great Plains as much as it is for the interstate.

If you are cross-shopping powertrains for winter, our team can walk you through the benefits of each. The new 3.5L V6 offers smooth strength and the highest available tow rating when properly equipped, while the turbocharged 2.5L hybrid system adds instant electric torque that helps the Palisade ease away from slick intersections with a reassuring, linear feel. Both powertrains can be paired with HTRAC® and Terrain modes, so your decision comes down to how you drive, what you tow, and how often you venture off the beaten path. Either way, the 2026 Palisade delivers a refined, insulated ride that keeps conversations easy and nerves calm when the wind kicks up across open prairie.

We invite you to experience HTRAC® in person. At Hyundai of Grand Island, our route near Hastings includes plowed residential streets, a stretch of highway for crosswind stability, and a safe area where we can demonstrate Snow mode takeoffs. Bring your daily questions — we will tailor the drive to your commute, your driveway grade, and your weekend hobbies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is HTRAC® All-Wheel Drive standard on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

HTRAC® is available across the lineup. The internal-combustion V6 models offer both two-wheel and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations, and the Hybrid adds HTRAC® availability as well. Ask our team which inbound trims — including XRT PRO, Limited, and Calligraphy — are arriving with HTRAC® and the integrated OEM tow hitch.

Which setting should I use during a Hastings snowstorm?

Select the Snow terrain mode and leave the transmission in Drive. The Palisade will soften throttle response, optimize shifts, and manage torque distribution to help the tires maintain grip. Pairing Snow mode with quality winter tires provides the most noticeable improvement in severe conditions.

Does HTRAC® help when towing in winter?

Yes. Tow Mode adjusts shift strategy to reduce gear hunting and enhance stability with a trailer attached, while HTRAC® actively manages torque front to rear. The 2026 Palisade targets up to 5,000 lbs. max towing on ICE models and up to 4,000 lbs. on Hybrid models when properly equipped. Always confirm trailer weights, use the correct hitch and wiring, and consult the Owner’s Manual for safe winter towing practices.

How does the 2026 Palisade Hybrid handle cold starts and cabin heat?

The hybrid powertrain blends its gas engine and electric motors seamlessly, warming the cabin quickly and delivering confident, low-speed traction thanks to immediate electric torque. With Bluelink® connected services, you can also remote start to precondition the cabin before you head out.

Can I test HTRAC® near Hastings before deciding?

Absolutely. Visit Hyundai of Grand Island, and we will set up a drive that mirrors your routine — from early-morning starts to mixed road surfaces — so you can feel how HTRAC®, Terrain modes, and Tow Mode behave in everyday Nebraska conditions.

When road conditions are unpredictable, confidence is everything. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade brings advanced HTRAC® traction, intelligent towing support, and a quiet, premium cabin to every mile near Hastings, NE. Visit Hyundai of Grand Island, serving St. Paul, Central City, and Ord, to compare trims and powertrains, explore features such as the built-in Dash Cam and Relaxation seats, and experience how the Palisade’s Snow mode and HTRAC® calibrations handle the heart of winter. We are ready to help you find the configuration that fits your family and your favorite roads.