2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its remarkable styling. Hyundai had definitely knocked it out of the park with this design; it was bold and in-your-face, featuring a massive grille and thin headlights that gave it a distinguished, almost luxury-like appearance. When the headlights were on, a character line of LEDs extended from the upper headlights down through the mid-level assembly, adding a unique flair to the vehicle. A considerable chrome strip ran from the base of the A-pillar over both side door windows and finished right after the rear door, breaking up what could have been a visually long design.

Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded an upscale feel with elegant simplicity. Most notable in the Limited trim, it featured a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen seamlessly integrated into the dash, and a center console full of accessible controls. Personalized ambient lighting, a feature exclusive to the Limited trim, further enhanced the interior atmosphere.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, had a more familiar design but remained stylish and functional. Its exterior resembled Honda's sedan lineup, with soft, curvy lines that leaned more toward a station wagon than an SUV appearance. The design was car-like and consistently aimed at modern family transport.

Inside the CR-V, the story was a bit more complex. While the higher trims boasted wood-look trim and leather upholstery, lower quality plastics were also evident in certain areas, detracting from the otherwise upscale feel. The base LX started with a simple interior, but it became more refined as you moved up the trim ladder to EX, EX-L, and Touring versions.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade powered its impressive design with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The power was managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission operated via a push-button shifter. The Palisade offered multiple drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, with Smart mode adjusting based on driving habits. The Limited trim featured a self-leveling rear suspension, enhancing driving dynamics and comfort.

Fuel efficiency for the Palisade was respectable, with the FWD version providing 19 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway, and 22 combined. The AWD variant offered slightly lower numbers at 19/24/21. During testing, the Palisade achieved an observed fuel economy of 20.3 mpg.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its engine options by offering a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims, which generated 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While CVTs often struggle with sluggishness, Honda’s engineers made significant improvements, providing a driving experience that felt close to a traditional automatic transmission, especially in Sport mode.

The CR-V's car-like demeanor was evident in its nimble handling and well-balanced steering. The chassis maintained a firm yet comfortable ride, minimizing body roll. The CR-V had a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, aiding in both fuel efficiency and handling. The FWD CR-V achieved an impressive 30 mpg combined, while AWD versions were rated at 29 mpg combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade emphasized versatility and family-friendliness with 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. These figures surpassed those of rivals like the Highlander and Pilot. The Palisade’s third row was deemed manageable for adults on longer trips, positioning it as a more practical three-row SUV option. Second-row captain's chairs added comfort and practicality, though they lacked the second-row center console found in competitors like the Honda Pilot.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in efficient use of space, providing a cabin that matched the roominess of the larger Volkswagen Tiguan. It delivered good head-and legroom for both driver and passengers, thanks to its excellent seating position and low cowl, which improved front visibility. The cargo area benefited from a two-position load floor, offering a flat surface when the 60-40 split rear seats were folded for up to 75.8 cubic feet of storage. The clever use of space extended to the deep center console and large door pockets, optimizing storage for everyday use.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came well-equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in all trims. The base trim included multiple USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a home button for easy navigation and tactile buttons for quick access. The SEL trim, with the optional Driver Guidance package, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and a Driver Talk intercom system. The Limited trim took it a step further with a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a surround-view monitor, and a head-up display.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age with a less impressive infotainment system. The base LX trim came with a small 5-inch screen that offered basic features like Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. Higher trims included a 7-inch touchscreen, but it lacked the user-friendliness found in rivals. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the built-in navigation was restricted to the Touring trim. However, Honda made up for it by providing plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned top marks for safety, receiving the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It featured a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance technologies, including forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, a driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The Palisade’s fully digital instrument panel supported its advanced safety features, displaying alerts from the parking sensors, and projecting live images from the blind-spot cameras.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the "Honda Sensing" system as standard across all trims, which comprised forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The EX trim and above also added blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring. Crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the CR-V five stars overall, though only the Touring model earned the Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its superior LED headlights.