2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade stood as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replacing the Santa Fe XL and showcasing a sophisticated design that marked a departure from the brand's earlier, more derivative styles. Its exterior featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, creating a striking presence. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed screen that varied in size depending on the trim. The Palisade offered spacious seating across three rows, with the second row available as either a bench or captain's chairs, and a third row that could comfortably accommodate children or adults for short trips. The fit and finish were near-luxury, making the Palisade a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special edition based on the SR5 Premium trim. This model featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille, and bronze accents, giving it a nostalgic yet cool vibe. The 4Runner maintained its rugged, truck-based SUV appeal, with a purposeful interior that, while heavy on plastic, felt solid and durable. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner's design and features catered to those who appreciated a classic SUV experience, with a focus on practicality and off-road capability.

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 somewhat of a throwback in an era dominated by turbocharged engines, but it delivered a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The Palisade's fuel economy was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and slightly lower for AWD models. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade offered a satisfying baritone engine note and could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes. Its handling was commendable, thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, with higher trims featuring a self-leveling suspension system.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and came with either a part-time or full-time 4WD system, depending on the trim. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 17 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 16.9 mpg. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and various off-roading technologies. However, its on-road performance was less refined, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating across all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were notably comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including a center console with two compartments and a locking glove box. Cargo space was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Palisade's gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the controls were logically arranged for ease of use. Higher trims offered luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and a hands-free liftgate.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's interior was practical and functional, with a unique power-down rear window that enhanced ventilation. The seats were comfortable, with the 40 ASE model featuring SofTex artificial leather and heated front cushions. Storage options were plentiful, though some lacked rubber liners, leading to potential rattling. The second row was roomy, with good legroom and USB charging ports, but the optional third row was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 89.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The tailgate doubled as a seat, and the cargo area included storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was a technology leader, with a standard display audio system on lower trims and a high-resolution touchscreen with Harman Kardon premium audio on higher trims. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio, with multiple USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad. A rear-view monitor was standard, with a surround view function on higher trims. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system offered remote engine start and vehicle monitoring, and higher trims featured a digital instrument cluster with integrated turn signal and blind-spot monitor cameras.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was more traditional, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available connected services and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a range of advanced driver assistance systems. These included blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance with pedestrian detection. The Palisade earned top safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard across all trims. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a three-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.