2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtly refined from its predecessor, with a slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the grille. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, along with new 20-inch wheels. The interior was where the Highlander truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, offering a level of detail that was unmatched by most competitors, except perhaps the Kia Telluride.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, especially in the Calligraphy trim, stood out with its distinctive grille pattern, revised lighting, and unique 20-inch wheels. The interior was equally impressive, with a Beige over Navy Blue color scheme, premium Nappa leather, and a suede headliner. The Palisade's cabin was luxurious, offering features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sophisticated infotainment system. The Palisade's design was polarizing, but it undeniably appeared more expensive than its price tag suggested, providing a sense of luxury that was hard to match in its class.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It offered both FWD and AWD options, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander provided a smooth and quiet ride, akin to the Lexus RX, but its steering and suspension left something to be desired. The steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, especially on long trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, with additional Snow and Lock modes for AWD models. The Palisade's suspension was firmer than the Highlander's, providing excellent body-motion control and a more communicative driving experience. It was sure-footed and confidence-inspiring, though not particularly sporty. The Palisade's AWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 21.1 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander featured practical storage solutions, including shelves integrated into the dash and multiple cupholders. However, the wireless charging pad's placement was inconvenient, blocking access to the center armrest cubby.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and accessibility, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats and heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat was more accommodating than most competitors, and the Palisade offered plenty of in-cabin storage. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate was a convenient feature, though it could be disabled if desired.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was limited in its usability, and the system's interface lagged behind competitors. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Highlander also featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. Safety features included adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with 8-inch and 10.25-inch touchscreens. The 8-inch system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the larger screen required a wired connection. The Palisade Calligraphy trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Driver Talk intercom system. A head-up display and surround-view camera system were also available, enhancing the Palisade's technology offerings.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS but had not yet been rated by the NHTSA.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and multiple lane-keeping systems as standard. The Palisade offered advanced features like a Blind View Monitor and Highway Drive Assist, which provided sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Palisade received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for families.