How Does Tow Mode Work on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade near San Dimas, CA?

CardinaleWay Hyundai Glendora – How Does Tow Mode Work on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade near San Dimas, CA?

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade arrives with family-first comfort and serious capability, and many shoppers near San Dimas, CA want to know how Tow Mode works when the weekend calls for a boat, pop-up, or pair of dirt bikes. At CardinaleWay Hyundai Glendora, we guide families through Palisade’s towing features every day, so here is a clear, step-by-step look at Tow Mode and the related systems that help make towing feel confident across the foothills, freeways, and lakes around San Dimas.

Tow Mode is part of the Palisade’s available HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive system. When activated, it optimizes shift mapping and throttle response for steady power delivery under load, holds lower gears longer on grades, and reduces frequent upshifts that can unsettle a trailer. Pair that with available Terrain modes — Mud, Sand, and Snow — and you get traction logic designed for real-world surfaces you might encounter en route to Bonelli Park or during a mountain getaway. Depending on configuration, the 2026 Palisade is targeting up to an estimated 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity on the V6 and an estimated 4,000-pound maximum on the first-ever Palisade Hybrid. Towing capacity varies by configuration — always confirm equipment and limits for your specific vehicle in the Owner’s Manual.

Below is a practical, road-ready process to help you engage Tow Mode and set up for a smooth trip near San Dimas.

1. Confirm your equipment: Verify the vehicle’s towing capacity, tongue weight limits, and whether your Palisade is equipped with an integrated, fascia-concealed OEM tow hitch on XRT PRO, Limited, or Calligraphy. If your vehicle is not equipped, proper towing requires installation of the appropriate towing equipment. See the Owner’s Manual for details.
2. Balance the load: Aim for about 10 to 15 percent tongue weight and distribute cargo so weight is centered and low. Recheck that tie-downs are secure after a few miles.
3. Connect and check lighting: Attach safety chains in a crisscross pattern beneath the coupler, then test the trailer’s brake lights, running lights, and turn signals.
4. Select Tow Mode: With the trailer secured, use the drive mode selector to engage Tow Mode. The transmission will hold gears longer and reduce shift hunting to help maintain momentum on grades.
5. Choose Terrain mode if needed: If you’re pulling a jet ski across a sandy launch or climbing a muddy access road, select Sand or Mud to optimize traction. In winter conditions to local mountain resorts, choose Snow for a smoother start and reduced wheelspin.
6. Drive with space and smooth inputs: Leave extra following distance, brake earlier, and accelerate progressively. Use engine braking on long descents and consider Downhill Brake Control on steep grades when equipped.

Beyond Tow Mode, the Palisade backs you up with thoughtful hardware and visibility tools that make towing less stressful on crowded SoCal roads.

• Powertrains: A newly developed 3.5-liter V6 targets robust performance for towing, while the first-ever Palisade Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbo engine with electric motors for up to an estimated 329 system horsepower.
• HTRAC® availability: The available HTRAC® AWD system adds confidence on wet pavement, dirt lots, or boat ramps, with driver-selectable Normal, Sport, and Smart modes.
• Tow Mode logic: Optimizes shift points and throttle mapping under load to reduce shift frequency and maintain steady pull on grades.
• Factory tow hitch: Select trims — XRT PRO, Limited, and Calligraphy — include an integrated, fascia-concealed OEM hitch for a clean look and easy hookup.
• Terrain modes: Mud, Sand, and Snow settings tailor traction control and torque distribution for varied surfaces around San Dimas and beyond.
• Camera tech: Available Surround View Monitor and a full-display digital center rearview mirror help with hitching and rear visibility when cargo blocks the rear window.
• Safety assists: SmartSense features such as Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist are valuable when changing lanes or maneuvering a trailer.

Technology convenience matters on tow days, too. The 2026 Palisade supports Digital Key 2, standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Bluelink® connected services, and wireless Over-The-Air update capability. Route to your launch ramp, keep the family synced, and arrive prepared — all while the cabin stays calm and quiet with premium materials and available Bose® audio.

If you are deciding between the V6 and Hybrid, think about the kind of towing and the distances you cover. The V6 is targeting up to an estimated 5,000-pound max rating for bigger toys and steeper grades. The Palisade Hybrid is expected to deliver impressive efficiency and an internally targeted range of up to 619 miles on certain trims while still offering an estimated 4,000-pound max rating — a smart match for lightweight campers, single-axle utility trailers, and watercraft common around San Dimas.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid tow my small camper near San Dimas?

The Palisade Hybrid offers an estimated 4,000-pound maximum towing capacity, which covers many lightweight campers and single-axle trailers. Always verify your trailer’s loaded weight, check tongue weight, and review your specific vehicle’s limits in the Owner’s Manual.

Is Tow Mode only on HTRAC® AWD models?

The 2026 Palisade offers HTRAC® AWD with Tow Mode. Features vary by configuration, so we recommend confirming Tow Mode availability on the exact VIN you are considering with our team.

What driver-assist features help when towing in traffic?

Available technologies such as Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Surround View Monitor can help with lane changes and low-speed maneuvers. These systems are supplemental — always remain attentive and drive cautiously with a trailer attached.

Does the Palisade support trailer-friendly visibility when the cabin is full?

Available features like the full-display digital center rearview mirror and Surround View Monitor provide a broader view when passengers or cargo obstruct the rear window, making it easier to merge, back up, or align a hitch.

Can I use wireless Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ while towing?

Yes. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ let you manage navigation, podcasts, and calls without plugging in. Just keep your focus on the road — Tow Mode helps with the powertrain, while you manage smooth, deliberate inputs.

Our team at CardinaleWay Hyundai Glendora is here to walk you through real-world towing scenarios, from choosing the right powertrain to confirming equipment and demonstrating Tow Mode on a local test loop near San Dimas. Visit us to explore the 2026 Palisade — including the first-ever Palisade Hybrid and the adventure-ready XRT PRO — and see how confidently it can pull your family’s next weekend.

Request more 2026 Hyundai Palisade information

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