2021 BMW X5 vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern, revised exterior lighting including puddle lamps, additional lower body trim, unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded interior detailing, and a simulated suede interior headliner. These features made the Calligraphy trim look fancier than other Palisades, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. Inside, the Calligraphy’s cabin, with its Beige over Navy Blue color scheme, quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather, and suede headliner, appeared far more luxurious than its price tag suggested.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 maintained the brand’s signature look with its kidney grille and body shape, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim-specific exterior details, such as matte aluminum grilles and high-gloss black roof rails. The interior, while consistent with BMW’s design language, included plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, though it also had an abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and model-exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Drivers could choose between Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade AWD achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg. The Palisade’s firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not outright fun. It was undemanding in typical driving scenarios, with plenty of power and easy maneuverability, and it offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5’s steering dynamics were less impressive, with issues at both low and high speeds, and the drive experience was more Lincoln-like. The X5 xDrive45e’s power was capable but not inspiring, and the SUV’s suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space, seating, and accessibility. The driver and front passenger enjoyed eight-way power-adjustable seats, with the driver also getting an adjustable thigh support cushion and a heated steering wheel. The front seats and second-row captain’s chairs were heated and ventilated, and third-row passengers had separate climate controls and rear side-window sunshades. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 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 turned off if desired.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were spacious enough for kids and two adults, and the X5 offered an available third row. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button on the lower part of the liftgate was helpful for loading cargo. The X5’s cargo area was spacious without the third row, though moving children and cargo in and out of the second-row seats was less convenient due to the narrow door openings.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Both systems could pair two smartphones to Bluetooth simultaneously, but only the 8-inch setup offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Calligraphy trim included features like SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, Blue Link connected services, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 BMW X5 came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, multiple lane-keeping systems, and a rear occupant alert system. Limited and Calligraphy trims included a more sophisticated ultrasonic rear occupant alert system, active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems, Safe Exit Assist, a Blind View Monitor, and Blue Link services with automatic collision warning and emergency assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA and included three free years of Blue Link services.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, but it had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in sunlight and rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being the subject of seven recalls.