2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade made a strong impression with its elegant and striking exterior design. Introduced in the 2020 model year, the Palisade replaced the Santa Fe XL as Hyundai's SUV flagship. Over time, it became a standout in Hyundai's SUV lineup, which also included the Venue, Kona, Tucson, and the Santa Fe, among others. Remarkably, it even held its own among battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell offerings like the Ioniq 5 and Nexo.

With its prominent grille, crisp shoulder lines, and sculpted wheel arches, the Palisade's exterior exuded a unique charm that set it apart from previous Hyundai designs. Its continuous strip of glass running from C-pillar to C-pillar around the tailgate gave the appearance of a floating rear roof, enhancing its sleek profile. The LED headlights, running lights, and taillights on higher trims added a signature look, while the standard 18-inch alloy wheels on SE and SEL models ensured a robust stance. The Palisade's design was so refined that, sans Hyundai badge, it could easily have been mistaken for an Infiniti.

Inside, the Palisade offered a similarly polished experience. Its horizontally arrayed screen, ranging from 8 inches on SE and SEL models to 10.25 inches on Limited and Calligraphy trims, acted as a centerpiece for the dashboard. High-quality materials adorned the interior, making every surface both visually appealing and pleasant to the touch. The seating configuration allowed for either a roomy bench seat or captain's chairs in the second row, with enough space in the third row for short rides with adults or regular use for children. The fit and finish inside and out reached near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a notable flagship in Hyundai’s lineup.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator showcased a blend of elegance and technology with a sprinkling of Art Deco charm. The Aviator Grand Touring plug-in hybrid stood out, not just for its powertrain but also for its impressive design elements. Its exterior was accentuated by the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, which welcomed drivers with illuminated paths when they approached the vehicle at night. Electric, light-touch door handles and soft-close doors conveyed an effortless luxury feel, although the electronic door latches posed a minor risk of pinching fingers.

The Aviator's interior was undeniably fancy, filled with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and exposed stitching. The contrast between the rich caramel-hued leather seats and the otherwise black interior provided a visually striking environment. The materials were mostly high-end, with soft leather and padded surfaces, although some chrome detailing on the switchgear and the large, lightweight key fob felt less premium. Despite its luxurious aspirations, certain aspects of the interior, like the stitching and key fob, detracted slightly from the overall upscale experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade delivered robust performance with its naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, an increasingly rare choice in an era dominated by turbocharged engines. Equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, this engine produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It also featured Atkinson-cycle capability for enhanced fuel efficiency, alongside auto-stop-and-go settings to minimize idle time. Despite these features, its fuel economy was not class-leading, with EPA estimates of up to 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and slightly lower ratings for AWD versions.

Weighing between 4,127 and 4,387 pounds, the Palisade handled well thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars at both ends. Higher trims benefited from a self-leveling suspension system. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes or 1,650 pounds without, offering versatility for family adventures.

In comparison, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring took a different approach to performance with its plug-in hybrid powertrain. The combination of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack resulted in a substantial 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. This impressive drivetrain offered both efficiency and power, with an electric-only range of 21 miles and an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. Various driving modes, such as Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite, allowed drivers to tailor the powertrain’s performance to their needs.

During extended evaluation drives, the Aviator Grand Touring demonstrated its electric driving capabilities, achieving the equivalent of 163.4 mpg under certain conditions. However, its unpredictable drivetrain response and inconsistent brake pedal behavior were noted drawbacks. The added weight of the hybrid system necessitated the standard Dynamic Handling Package with an adaptive-damping suspension, which provided commendable handling and stability. Despite its handling prowess, the Aviator was more about comfort than excitement, offering a quiet and isolating ride devoid of significant driver engagement.

As a replacement for the traditional minivan, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in cabin comfort and functionality. The third row featured accessible seating with cupholders on each side, while the second-row captain's chairs offered significant comfort. Storage solutions in the form of door bottle holders, cupholders, and seatback pockets added convenience. The front row boasted even more storage options, including compartments in the center console and door panels, as well as a locking glove box.

Cargo space was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet available behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats down. An underfloor storage compartment provided additional space, and roof rails could support up to 220 pounds of cargo. The Palisade’s interior controls were logically arranged, with intuitive buttons for the gear selector and AWD system mode.

In comparison, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized front and second-row comfort, offering four-zone automatic climate control, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were roomy and supportive, but the third row was cramped and better suited for children. Accessing the third row was difficult due to the limited movement of the second-row seats.

Cargo capacity in the Aviator was somewhat limited compared to the Palisade, with 18.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. Maximum cargo space was 77.7 cubic feet, falling short of the Palisade’s cavernous storage.

Hyundai showcased its technological prowess with the Palisade. The base models featured a standard display audio system, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The infotainment system included features like wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Multiple USB ports and 12-volt power outlets ensured connectivity for all passengers, and a 115-volt power outlet was available on higher trims. Surround-view camera functionality, a head-up display, and Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system added to the Palisade’s high-tech appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and Lincoln Connect services. However, it used Lincoln’s older Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition accuracy. The Aviator’s 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system offered an immersive listening experience, while the Phone As A Key digital key system eliminated the need for a traditional key fob. The Aviator also included a comprehensive head-up display and a surround-view camera system for enhanced driver awareness.

Hyundai integrated an extensive array of passive and active safety features in the 2022 Palisade. Passive features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts for all seats, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, rear child safety locks, and bodyside reinforcements. Active safety systems included anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a variety of driver assistance features, including automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, and an evasive steering assist system. The driver aids performed well on straight highways with light traffic but were less dependable in heavy traffic. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although the Grand Touring variant had yet to be rated.