2024 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 grille design. The interior of the Calligraphy trim was equally impressive, with premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof brightening the cabin. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with the ability to accommodate up to eight passengers in the lower trims, making it a versatile choice for families.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 exuded luxury with its top-shelf Prestige Signature trim. The exterior, available in exclusive colors like Mauna Red, featured dark chrome trim and stylish 22-inch wheels. Inside, the GV80's Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior was a testament to opulence, with diamond-stitched Nappa leather, matte-finish wood trim, and a suede headliner. The GV80's cabin was equipped with ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display, underscoring its status as a flagship Genesis SUV. However, the Prestige Signature's exterior design, while appealing, was not necessarily more attractive than the Prestige model, and the wheel design was somewhat obscured by the black paint.

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 rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. 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 cost. The Palisade's towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds, and its fuel economy was respectable, with 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for front-wheel-drive models.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower. Our test vehicle, equipped with the latter, provided a satisfying performance, though it was somewhat fuel-thirsty, achieving 17.2 mpg during testing. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV80's driving experience was luxurious yet communicative, with swift acceleration and commendable grip from its all-season tires. The adaptive damping suspension and upgraded front brakes contributed to its athletic performance, though the steering was unremarkable.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with seating for seven or eight. It provided 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third row. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The interior was designed for convenience, with HVAC vents in all three rows and a hands-free smart liftgate available on most trims.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced was the only trim with a third-row seat, while the Prestige Signature offered seating for just four. The GV80's interior featured premium materials, including heated and ventilated seats with massage functions. However, the seats were not as comfortable as expected, and the rear seats lacked sufficient legroom. Cargo space was commendable, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Prestige Signature's rear center console required careful loading of cargo.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted advanced technology, including 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 Palisade was the first Hyundai to offer WiFi hotspot capability. The Bluelink connected vehicle system allowed remote access and management, while the Digital Key 2 Touch enabled keyless entry and start using compatible devices.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its placement required the use of a control dial. The infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80 also offered a digital key system and a premium sound system. The Prestige and Prestige Signature trims included a head-up display, providing additional safety information.

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 and a full-display digital rearview mirror. While the 2023 model had not been rated, the 2022 Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 came with advanced driving-assistance systems, such as a Blind-Spot View Monitor and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Highway Driving Assist was effective in light traffic, though less so in heavy traffic. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test.