2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a striking presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the top Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique glossy black and chrome grille. The interior of the Palisade was equally impressive, with the Calligraphy trim offering premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof that brightened the cabin. The horizontal quilting and dash lines were reminiscent of luxury brands, and the seating configurations allowed for either seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. The midsize SUV, measuring over 16 feet long, had a stately appearance, especially with the Prestige trim's 22-inch alloy wheels. The exterior's elegance was mirrored inside, with quilted leather seats and a dash split by thin, horizontal air vents. The center console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The interior was spacious and luxurious, with the option for a third row, although legroom was limited. The GV80's interior was a comfortable and stylish place to spend time, despite a few quirks with the infotainment system.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 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. The eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth power delivery. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,900. The Palisade's towing capacity was competitive, able to haul up to 5,000 pounds, and the AWD models featured a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for FWD models, with slightly lower figures for AWD.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Our tester had the larger engine, which, while powerful, did not make the GV80 particularly quick or nimble. The SUV excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. The active noise cancellation further enhanced the driving experience, making it a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third. The passenger volume was 155.3 cubic feet, and the third-row seats folded flat to expand cargo space from 18 cubic feet to 86.4 cubic feet. The Palisade was designed with passenger comfort in mind, featuring HVAC vents in all three rows and multiple cupholders. The center console provided additional storage and a phone holder, while the layout of buttons and knobs was intuitive.

The 2023 Genesis GV80, while not as fun to drive, made up for it with luxury features and spaciousness. Heated and ventilated seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were standard in most trims. The Ergo Motion driver's seat offered a unique feature to reduce fatigue. The GV80's cargo space was impressive, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. The SUV's towing capacity was 6,000 pounds, making it a practical choice for those needing utility alongside luxury.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was a tech-forward SUV, featuring a 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. A premium Harman Kardon sound system was available, and the vehicle offered WiFi hotspot capability as standard. The Palisade also introduced Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with both Android and Apple devices, allowing for remote access and management. The Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote start presets and detailed vehicle information.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment system had a learning curve, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to park itself without the driver inside. The SUV also offered wireless charging and multiple USB ports, ensuring devices stayed charged on the go.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. The Palisade also offered Highway Driving Assist, which helped maintain a safe following distance and lane position. The 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and the 2023 model was expected to maintain or improve upon this rating.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was packed with advanced safety features, such as forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SUV's Highway Drive Assist used multiple systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, although it struggled in certain lighting conditions. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.