2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and sophistication, a hallmark of the Land Rover brand. Its design was a testament to elegance, with features like pop-out door handles that, while visually appealing, raised concerns about reliability. The Velar's aesthetic appeal was undeniable, with a sleek, sporty silhouette that borrowed elements from the larger Range Rover, such as the trapezoidal roof and signature grille. The vehicle's design was both blocky and streamlined, with subtle details like taillight lenses that created an illusion of depth and air ducts reminiscent of high-performance cars. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and a polished black center stack that defined its look. The Velar's cabin was equipped with three sharp screens, offering a sophisticated and user-friendly interface.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade presented a commanding presence on the road, enhanced by a styling update that included a bold front fascia and squared-off grille. The Palisade's design was both robust and elegant, with features like LED lighting and body-color mirrors standard across the lineup. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille, while the new XRT trim offered a rugged look with dark accents and black wheels. The interior of the Palisade was spacious and stylish, with premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The Palisade's design was practical, with features like heated and ventilated seats across multiple rows and a user-friendly layout of controls, making it a comfortable and accommodating choice for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a driving experience that was distinct from previous Land Rover models. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to improved handling and braking. The Velar's base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. While the base engine provided average response, the optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered more power with 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque in the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft in the R-Dynamic HSE. The Velar's mild-hybrid system helped reduce fuel consumption and emissions, though it lacked the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was competitive within its class, offering more power than some rivals. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and all-wheel drive was available as an option. The Palisade excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, and offered a comfortable ride suited for its target audience. Fuel economy for the Palisade was reasonable, with front-wheel-drive models achieving 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while all-wheel-drive models achieved slightly lower figures.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior space compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being impractical. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, however, improved the user experience with a cleaner interface and faster operation.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade provided ample space for passengers, with 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third. The Palisade's interior was designed for convenience, with features like a hands-free smart liftgate and HVAC vents in all three rows. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with the seats folded. The Palisade's controls were intuitive, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation.

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 was intelligent, suggesting traffic detours and providing off-road measurements. The Velar's instrument panel offered customizable displays, though its driving assist display was less detailed than some competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted advanced technology, with a 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system in higher trims. The Palisade offered remote accessibility features through Hyundai's Bluelink system, allowing users to control various functions via an app. The Digital Key 2 Touch feature enabled keyless entry and operation using compatible devices, enhancing convenience for owners.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. safety agencies, but it performed well in European NCAP tests, scoring five stars. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was recognized for its safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 model. The 2023 model included Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, such as forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. New features included second-row side-impact airbags and intelligent speed limit assist. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist II was available in higher trims, providing advanced lane-keeping and lane-changing capabilities.