2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup that still provided good outward visibility. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. High-end models like the Defender 90 V8 featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, which seemed more practical for off-road use than traditional all-leather interiors.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade received a styling update that gave it an even more commanding presence. The new front fascia featured bolder strokes and a squared-off grille, enhancing its strong look. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, with LED taillights standard on SEL and higher trims. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, a unique grille, and a wider rear spoiler. The new XRT trim added a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels.

The Palisade's interior was equally impressive. The Calligraphy trim featured premium Nappa leather, a dual-pane sunroof, and horizontal quilting and dash lines reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz. The base SE model came with cloth seats, while higher trims offered heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows, and heated third-row seats. The second-row seats could be configured as a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter featuring new wing-out headrests in the Calligraphy trim. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded flat.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new-for-2022 V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The Defender's V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender also offered impressive off-road features, including a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. The maximum towing capacity was 8,201 pounds.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade came with a single powertrain option: a 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This was competitive for its class, making the Palisade more powerful than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more so than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with standard paddle shifters, and power was routed to the front wheels by default, with all-wheel drive available as a $1,900 option. The AWD system, tested on a muddy off-road course, proved capable when the vehicle started to slide.

The Palisade offered a comfortable ride, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. AWD models included a dedicated Tow Mode for optimized shifting. Fuel economy for FWD models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the Defender 90 model. However, accessing them was challenging, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models provided 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a shifter and climate-control knobs placed on a shelf extending from the dashboard, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes that mounted to the side pillars.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade comfortably seated seven or eight passengers, with 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third. Passenger volume measured 155.3 cubic feet. Second-row seating featured a standard one-touch seat slide for easy access to the third row, and ingress/egress handles facilitated climbing into the back. Cargo space totaled 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with all but the front-row seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base SE trim.

The Palisade's interior was designed for convenience, with HVAC vents in all three rows and two cupholders per person. The center console included a phone holder and space to stow a bag on the shelf below. The physical buttons and knobs were laid out in a compact and intuitive manner, and automatic dual-zone climate control was standard in SEL and higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts, although the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system for off-roading.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade upped the ante on technology, becoming the first Hyundai to offer WiFi hotspot capability, standard on every trim. A new 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system was also standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in SEL models and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. Up to two devices could be connected via Bluetooth simultaneously, and up to seven could charge using USB ports located in the first, second, and third rows. A wireless charger was standard on all but the base trim.

Palisade drivers enjoyed a 4.2-inch color driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Limited and Calligraphy models also featured a standard color head-up display. An in-car intercom was optional for SEL trims and standard in Limited and Calligraphy, while rear-seat quiet mode was standard in all models. The Palisade also featured Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system, allowing remote access and management of various vehicle functions. The new Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices, allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the car using their smartphones.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was not unusual for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The 2023 model included new active and passive safety features, such as second-row side-impact airbags. The Palisade came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. All trims featured navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with stop and go and curve control functions, as well as intelligent speed limit assist. Highway Driving Assist I was standard in SE, SEL, and XRT models, while Highway Driving Assist II was available in SEL and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. A full-display digital rearview mirror was also available. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on all but the SE trim.