2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV in 2020, replaced the Santa Fe XL and quickly established itself as a standout in the brand's lineup. Its exterior design was elegant and striking, shedding any past criticisms of being derivative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials and finishes. The spacious interior accommodated up to eight passengers comfortably, with a horizontally arrayed screen and a beefy center console anchoring the dash. The top-of-the-line Calligraphy model was particularly stunning, showcasing Hyundai's commitment to design and execution.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, making a statement of wealth and taste. Its design referenced the larger Range Rover's profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase and short overhangs. The Velar's exterior was both blocky and streamlined, with flush door handles and unique taillight lenses adding to its allure. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The interior featured three screens with sophisticated graphics, and upper trims offered additional luxury touches. Despite its stylish design, the Velar's interior space was tighter compared to midsize SUVs, and some design choices, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were less practical.

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 choice was a nod to traditional powertrains, offering a baritone rumble and immediate power delivery without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was moderate, with EPA estimates of up to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for FWD models. The SUV handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, and could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

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, delivering 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. While it provided average response, the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system offered more power, with up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The Velar's standard Terrain Response system and optional air suspension enhanced its on-road performance, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating for up to eight passengers. The third row provided easy access and ample space, while the second-row captain's chairs were particularly comfortable. The Palisade boasted 18.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The interior featured a compact shift-by-wire setup and intuitive controls, with luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof and premium Nappa leather upholstery available on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs. Rear-seat headroom was limited, and cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were less practical. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a simplified layout and useful features like voice activation and a heated windshield.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess, with a standard display audio system and an optional 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with Harman Kardon premium audio. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple USB ports, and a Qi wireless charging pad. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, offering remote engine start and vehicle monitoring.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. The system included features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The Velar's instrument panel offered customizable layouts, though its driving assist display was less detailed than some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive list of safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Advanced driver assistance features like blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist were standard. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard driving assists included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.