2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look bigger but also increased its dimensions, being 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller than its predecessor. These changes complemented the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which featured a one-inch taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior took a more conventional styling route, remaining attractive, functional, and versatile, with materials quality meeting elevated class standards. Overall, the new Pilot emphasized function over form, offering a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. Available in various trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, it offered a range of prices from $36,650 to $53,850. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels, available in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors. The interior exuded luxury with an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated design elements. The Palisade's interior made it feel like a luxury SUV, offering a premium experience in a mass-market midsize family vehicle.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot offered quick initial acceleration and adequate power, with a soft brake pedal for smooth stops. It cornered well for a three-row SUV, prioritizing comfort over sporty driving. The TrailSport model added an inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and eight inches of ground clearance. It provided several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road travel. The V6 engine delivered satisfying acceleration, and the transmission was responsive. The Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode during testing. It displayed some athleticism on mountain roads, offering predictable handling and excellent brakes.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional compared to other new Honda models, offering a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Elite trim's touchscreen seemed small for the space but was adequate. The Pilot offered logical placement of primary controls, a large rubberized shelf for phones, and a wireless charging pad. Clever storage features included a stowable second-row center seat, providing a pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row was less inviting. Cargo capacity ranged from 22.4 cubic feet to 114.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory settings were available in higher trims. The Palisade provided configurable storage, with a large bin between the front seats and additional storage under the center armrest. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered more comfort and room than most rivals. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2023 Honda Pilot offered a larger infotainment touchscreen starting with the EX-L trim, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and a logical layout. Features like Honda's CabinTalk and a Bose premium audio system were available in higher trims, along with a navigation system and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Palisade offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided navigation instructions and safety feature status. Bluelink+ offered remote engine starting, collision warning, and more, with no cost for original owners.

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA, but Honda expected top scores. It received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors. The TrailSport and Elite trims included surround-view and multi-view camera systems. The advanced safety features functioned well, with no false alarms during testing.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and more. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. The SEL Premium package added lane-change assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with incomplete crash tests from the NHTSA.