2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a piano button shifter. The soothing chimes and massaging seats added to the air of class and comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, boasted an elegant and striking exterior design. Its distinctive lines, prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches gave it a sophisticated look. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and spacious cabin with high-quality materials, a horizontally arrayed screen, and comfortable seating for up to eight passengers. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator offered robust acceleration and a smooth ride, but its long wheelbase made it less agile in tight spaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The Palisade handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and self-leveling system on higher trims. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs provided excellent comfort and convenience, with a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. However, the power-button door releases could be problematic if the battery died.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade provided 18.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded. The cabin featured ample storage, including two compartments in the center console, a locking glove box, and door panel bottle holders. The shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive controls made for a user-friendly experience. The dual-panel sunroof on higher trims enhanced the cabin's ambiance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear and crisp graphics.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on lower trims featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while higher trims boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade also offered multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The available Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.