2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out in the crowded midsize SUV market with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a statement, while the character line along the side added a sporty touch reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The rear taillights, inspired by Lexus models, contributed to its upscale appearance. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and 20-inch wheels, aimed to blend sportiness with practicality, although it leaned more towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim. Inside, the Highlander Limited impressed with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and elegant wood details, making it a comfortable and luxurious family car.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, boasted an elegant and striking exterior design. Its prominent grille, crisp shoulder lines, and sculpted wheel arches added visual interest, while the continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate created a floating rear roof effect. The Palisade's LED headlights, running lights, and taillights provided a signature look, and the 18-inch alloy wheels on SE and SEL models added to its appeal. Inside, the Palisade offered a horizontally arrayed screen, high-quality materials, and spacious seating for up to eight passengers. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy model, with its Steel Graphite paint and black interior, showcased near-luxury fit and finish, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the Highlander offered smooth and predictable operation. While it wasn't designed for drag races, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and daily driving. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar for a slightly sportier feel, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and reliability.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Palisade's EPA estimates were 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. Weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds, the Palisade handled well with its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile family SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and convenience. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones and a wireless charging pad in the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could move forward and backward to optimize space. However, the third row was best suited for children or short trips. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some passengers found less than ideal.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered comfortable seating throughout the cabin, with easy access to the third row and ample legroom in the second row. The front row featured multiple storage compartments, including a locking glove box and door panel bottle holders. Cargo space was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space, and the roof rails could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo. The Palisade's shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive controls made for a user-friendly experience, while the dual-panel sunroof on higher trims enhanced the cabin's ambiance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, but the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen in the test car was bright and crisp, but only certain apps utilized the full width. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality, though not exceptional.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models (optional on SEL) boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin. A Qi wireless charging pad, rear-view monitor with parking guidance, and a head-up display were available on higher trims. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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