2023 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna made a statement in the minivan market with its bold attempt to blend SUV aesthetics into its practical design. Toyota, unlike other automakers, never abandoned the minivan segment, continuing a lineage that began with the original Van in the 1980s. The latest Sienna, introduced in 2021 as the fourth generation, sported a macho front end and re-engineered sliding doors. These doors cleverly buried the slider channel below the rear side window frame, resulting in a sleeker look. The rear fender-well styling and 17-inch base wheels, which expanded to 18 and even 20 inches in higher trims, added to its assertive profile. Inside, the Sienna avoided the stereotypical minivan look with an uncluttered front cabin and abundant, clever storage options. The second and third rows offered roomy seating, with available second-row captain's chairs featuring ottomans and a standard spacious third row.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade became more visually commanding after its 2023 styling update. Sporting a new squared-off grille and an assertive front fascia, the Palisade stood out even more on the road. LED accents, daytime running lights, and body-color mirrors enhanced its modern look. The Calligraphy trim offered premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille, while the XRT trim featured dark accents and rugged design elements like black 20-inch wheels. Interior touches like a dual-pane sunroof and premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim elevated its luxury feel, while all models came with practical features such as horizontal quilting and dash lines inspired by Mercedes-Benz. The Palisade's Robust Emerald color for 2023 added a touch of understated elegance.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna exclusively featured a hybrid powertrain, a first for Toyota minivans, which was well-received considering Toyota's renowned hybrid technology. The Sienna's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. FWD was standard, with an AWD option available across all trims. The AWD system employed a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, generating 54 hp and 89 pound-feet of torque. An electronically controlled CVT ensured a smooth and efficient drive, with four selectable modes: Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport. The Sienna's handling was commendable for a minivan, with a front suspension and independent rear trailing arm suspension ensuring minimal body roll. The EPA rated the Sienna Hybrid's fuel economy at 36 mpg for FWD and 35 mpg for AWD models.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Palisade came with a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This made it more powerful than several competitors, including the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD as standard and AWD as a $1,900 option. The Palisade, capable of some light off-roading, offered a smooth ride ideal for its target audience. It excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and a dedicated Tow Mode for AWD models. Fuel economy figures were 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for FWD, and slightly lower for AWD models.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a versatile family workhorse. It could accommodate a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed, a testament to its spaciousness. The sliding second row enhanced flexibility for loading luggage or freight. Cargo measurements were 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Power-operated side sliding doors and rear tailgate with foot-motion triggers added to its practicality.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, a midsize SUV, comfortably seated seven or eight passengers. It offered 44.1 inches of front-row legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third row, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume was a generous 155.3 cubic feet. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with only the front-row seats in use. The hands-free smart liftgate, standard on all but the base trim, and HVAC vents in all three rows ensured passenger comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna offered impressive tech features. A 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM was standard. However, the lack of wireless CarPlay and Android Auto was a downside. Standard and available features included a one-year trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, Bluetooth, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Higher trims boasted a 12-speaker JBL audio system and an optional rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. The instrument panel featured a multi-information display, upgradable to a 10-inch color head-up display in Platinum trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade raised the bar with new tech offerings. It was the first Hyundai to feature WiFi hotspot capability, standard across all trims. A 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, and SiriusXM, was standard. Higher trims featured a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Multiple USB ports and a wireless charger were standard on all but the base trim. For drivers, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available in higher trims. Remote accessibility via the Bluelink app and the new Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with both Android and Apple devices, were standout features.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was highly rated for safety, receiving a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Additional safety features included 10 airbags, multiple LATCH connectors, rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an optional spare tire.

Similarly, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. The 2023 model introduced new safety features like second-row side-impact airbags. The standard Hyundai Smart Sense suite included forward collision avoidance, high beam assist, lane-keeping and following assist, and newly standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Smart Cruise Control with navigation-based features, Highway Driving Assist I and II, full-display digital rearview mirror, and ultrasonic-based rear occupant alert were available depending on the trim.