2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had joined Hyundai's lineup as the flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design, featuring distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED headlights. The Palisade's interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and finishes, a horizontally arrayed screen, and spacious seating for up to eight passengers. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 offered a more subtle and less flashy look compared to its competitors. The base model had a refined design, while the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions added more visual drama with flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. Inside, the GLS 450 featured a luxurious interior with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, providing a high-quality feel without being overly ostentatious.

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, combined with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Palisade's fuel economy was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for AWD 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 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The GLS 450's engine provided ample power, and the electric assist was seamlessly integrated. However, the air suspension exhibited poor body control, leading to a less comfortable ride. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

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 had 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 the second and third rows folded. The shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive controls made for a user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for easy access to the third row, and the GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The GLS's air suspension could lower for easier loading, but some ergonomic issues, such as the touchscreen's reach and center console grab handles, detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess, with a standard display audio system on SE and SEL models and a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with Harman Kardon premium audio on Limited and Calligraphy models. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. The Limited and Calligraphy trims also featured a head-up display, Blue Link connected car system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and the touchscreen itself. However, the touchpad controller was overly sensitive, and the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features, including seven airbags, 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.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance systems. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.