2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and additional lower body trim. It featured unique 20-inch wheels and upgraded interior detailing, including a simulated suede interior headliner. The Limited trim, while still appealing, adopted an exterior look similar to the Palisade SEL with option packages. The Calligraphy trim made the Palisade appear more luxurious, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. Inside, the Calligraphy’s cabin, with its Beige over Navy Blue color scheme and premium Nappa leather, offered a level of luxury that seemed more expensive than its actual price.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that referenced the larger Range Rover's profile in a sporty package. The Velar's exterior featured a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof, with flush door handles adding to its streamlined look. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained a high standard of fit and finish, with a focus on simplicity and sophistication.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade was 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. It offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade's suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not particularly sporty. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 21.1 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower, while an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system offered up to 395 horsepower. The Velar's Terrain Response system included six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The Velar prioritized on-road performance, with a smooth ride and adaptive air suspension for a plush driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and accessible interior, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a third-row with separate climate controls. The Palisade provided ample in-cabin storage and a hands-free Smart Liftgate. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, had a tighter interior with limited headroom and visibility. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for aesthetics, with a confusing parking brake control and a bulky shifter that obstructed access to other controls.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with the Calligraphy trim featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. It included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, and a head-up display. The Palisade's technology suite was comprehensive, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, which was more reliable and user-friendly than previous versions. It included a voice assistant, air quality monitoring, and advanced navigation features. The Velar's technology was sophisticated, with a focus on customization and convenience, though its driving assist display was less detailed than competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and multiple lane-keeping systems. It included a rear occupant alert system and a Blind View Monitor. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with Highway Drive Assist providing advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, with standard driving assists like forward emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. It offered optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist, though U.S. crash-test ratings were unavailable.