2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and a mix of planes and curves that added visual interest. The continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a horizontally arrayed screen, and spacious seating arrangements. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy model was particularly stunning with its Steel Graphite paint and black interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a more traditional SUV appearance with a long hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline. The King Ranch model, our test vehicle, featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating and King Ranch branding. While the Explorer's cabin exhibited a mix of quality materials, it sometimes felt reminiscent of the base trim. The Explorer's design emphasized a robust and athletic look, with blacked-out roof pillars creating a floating roof effect. However, the King Ranch's visual differentiation from other models was minimal, relying on emblems and shiny wheels.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for AWD models. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension and a self-leveling system on higher trims, providing a comfortable ride. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided up to 24 mpg in combined driving and a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. The Explorer also had a hybrid option with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, producing 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg combined. The most powerful option was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds. The Explorer's ride was robust, with off-road capabilities and a sportier feel compared to typical crossovers.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating and ample storage throughout the cabin. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured abundant storage options, including a center console with two compartments. Cargo space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Palisade's interior controls were intuitive, and higher trims offered luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, particularly in the King Ranch trim, offered comfort for families of four, with heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. However, the third row was challenging for adults to access and lacked legroom. The Explorer's cabin had limited practical storage, with missed opportunities for additional compartments. Cargo space was 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The King Ranch trim included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess with a range of features. The Limited and Calligraphy models boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen, a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system supported multiple device connections, and the Palisade offered numerous USB ports and power outlets throughout the cabin. Higher trims included a head-up display, a digital instrument cluster, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system for remote functions.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch trim included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Explorer's Sync 3 system lagged behind newer Sync 4 technology, with limitations in voice recognition and feature operation. The King Ranch also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0 for autonomous parking.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. It featured seven airbags, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional safety features like forward-looking parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2022 Ford Explorer also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Explorer's safety features operated smoothly, though the steering wheel sensitivity could be improved.