2024 Chevrolet Traverse 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 grille. The new XRT trim introduced a dark grille and special accents, adding a rugged touch. The Palisade's wheel options ranged from 18-inch alloys on the SE and SEL models to 20-inch wheels on higher trims, with the Calligraphy trim offering a premium multi-spoke design. A new color, Robust Emerald, replaced Rainforest, offering a subtle yet elegant option. Inside, the Calligraphy-trim tester boasted a stylish interior with premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, while other trims offered a range of seating materials and configurations to suit different needs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse introduced the Z71 trim, designed for moderate off-roading, alongside the LS, LT, and RS trims. The Z71, with its gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint, stood out as a rugged option. The interior featured a Jet Black design with "Torch Red" accents, and while synthetic leather seating was optional, the standard cloth seats provided comfort and breathability. The Traverse's pricing was competitive, with the LS starting at $38,995 and the RS reaching $55,595. The Z71 model, priced at $47,795, offered a balance of off-road capability and comfort. The Traverse's design emphasized practicality, with Smart Slide second-row seats and a power-folding third row, enhancing accessibility and cargo capacity. The Autosense power liftgate added convenience, while the interior offered ample storage options, including a hidden storage area under the center console.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and while front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available for an additional $1,900. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system proved capable on a muddy off-road course, though the Palisade was not designed for rock-crawling. It offered a comfortable ride and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, with AWD models featuring a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for FWD models, and 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse replaced its previous 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This new engine offered 18 more horsepower and 50 more lb-ft of torque than the discontinued V6. All-wheel drive was optional on every trim, with the Z71 featuring a more advanced dual-clutch system. The Traverse's acceleration and passing power were satisfactory, and the exhaust provided a pleasant growl during acceleration. The steering was adequate for most driving situations, though the Traverse's 204.5-inch length was noticeable. The ride quality was excellent, even with the Z71's all-terrain tires and extra ground clearance. The brakes were progressive, and the stop-and-start feature was seamless. Fuel economy estimates ranged from 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined for the Traverse Limited with FWD, to 17/25/20 for the Limited with AWD.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for 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, and the third row was accessible via standard one-touch seat slide. Cargo space was 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with the second and third rows folded flat. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows and provided two cupholders per person. The center console included a phone holder and space for a bag, while physical buttons and knobs were laid out intuitively. Automatic dual-zone climate control was standard in SEL and up.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse's base LS model offered seating for eight, while the LT, Z71, and RS trims featured second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Smart Slide second-row seats were easy to use, and the power-folding third row was standard on the RS. Cargo volume was 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to approximately 96 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Traverse offered numerous storage options, including a hidden storage area under the center console and an underfloor storage bin in the cargo bay. Visibility was generally good, though the third row's view was limited by the rear fender design. The Z71's power-operated driver's seat made finding a comfortable position easy, though the front passenger seat was manually adjustable.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with 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. The Palisade offered a 4.2-inch color driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. An in-car intercom and rear-seat quiet mode were available, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard. The Palisade introduced Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the car using their smartphones.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard on all models, with rapid response times and simple menus. An 11-inch digital instrument display provided navigation directions and other information. The system ran on Google-based software, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The wireless charging pad in the Z71 held phones securely during cornering. Physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were retained, though the driving mode button was less conveniently placed. The Traverse introduced Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, expanding its functionality to single-lane roadways. Super Cruise automatically disengaged at intersections, requiring some adjustment for drivers.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 model, and the 2023 model included new safety features like second-row side-impact airbags. Hyundai's Smart Sense suite was standard, with features like forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. Highway Driving Assist I and II were available, and a full-display digital rearview mirror was optional. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids at no extra cost. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view parking camera. These systems provided peace of mind during our test drive, though we did not have the opportunity to test them.