2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made loading toddlers into rear-facing seats a breeze, and the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents or carpool kids with ease. The Odyssey also boasted significant cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded and the second-row seats were removed. Despite its practical advantages, the minivan's image deterred some buyers, although the 2022 model had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV in 2020, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, giving it a sophisticated look. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console added to the upscale feel. The second-row captain's chairs and spacious third-row seats provided comfort for all passengers. The Palisade's fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls on the dashboard. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine featured gasoline direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and Atkinson-cycle capability for improved 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. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan provided ample storage space, including shelving in the front door panels and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo space behind it measured 32.8 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat created 88.8 cubic feet of space, and removing the second-row seats expanded the cargo volume to 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement with comfortable seating throughout the cabin. The third-row seats were easily accessible and provided cupholders on each side. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, and the front row offered ample storage, including two compartments in the center console. The Palisade's luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third 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 added to its user-friendly design.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Starting with the EX trim, the Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services. The CabinWatch and CabinTalk features allowed the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system, standard on Touring and Elite trims, included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks.

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 had 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 offered multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was well-equipped with safety features, including the Honda Sensing suite, which encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the Honda Sensing system lacked refinement, sometimes issuing invalid warnings or taking abrupt actions. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also offered optional features like ultrasonic rear occupant alert and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.