2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had an even more commanding presence following its styling update. The new front fascia, with its bolder strokes, framed new headlights, giving the SUV a stronger look. LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights were standard across the lineup, while LED taillights became standard on SEL and up. The squared-off grille added to the Palisade's imposing presence. Body-color mirrors were standard and featured heated, powered, and auto-dimming functions. The top Calligraphy trim was distinguished by premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, a unique grille, and a wider rear spoiler. The new XRT trim featured a dark grille, roof cross rails, and black 20-inch wheels. The Calligraphy trim's new multi-spoke alloy wheel design conveyed a premium feel. A new color, Robust Emerald, replaced Rainforest, offering a subtle and elegant appearance. The interior of the Calligraphy-trim tester was stylish, with premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof. The base SE model came with cloth seats, while higher trims offered heated and ventilated seats. Second-row seats came in a bench configuration for SE models, with captains chairs available in higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan had a premium appearance, often considered more designed than its non-European rivals. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line. The base trim was available only in grayscale colors, with limited options for interior and exterior combinations. The base Tiguan S featured heated front seats and cloth seating surfaces, while higher trims added features like leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and a power tailgate. The SEL R-Line offered real leather, front-seat ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and three-position driver’s seat memory. The Tiguan's configurator was complex, with specific combinations of colors and materials. The panoramic sunroof was available on higher trims, and the SEL R-Line included additional luxury features.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive for 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 power was routed to the front wheels by default, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $1,900. The HTRAC AWD system was capable on muddy off-road courses. The Palisade offered a comfortable ride and could tow up to 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy for front-wheel-drive models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with Volkswagen’s 4Motion AWD available for an extra $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the top trim. AWD models had a slightly larger fuel tank, with a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg for the base Tiguan S and 24 mpg for AWD R-Line trims. The Tiguan SEL R-Line's power delivery was inconsistent, with turbo and transmission lag. The steering was light and rubbery, but visibility and handling were good. The ride was comfortable, though seating surfaces drew complaints.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space, seating seven or eight passengers comfortably. It provided 44.1 inches of legroom in the front row, 42.4 in the second, and 31.4 in the third, with a passenger volume of 155.3 cubic feet. The second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row, and the 60/40-split seats folded flat. Cargo space was 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 behind the second row, and 86.4 with all but the front-row seats folded. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base SE trim. 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. Automatic dual-zone climate control was standard in SEL and up.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's top-trim test car had firm seats in both rows. FWD Tiguans seated seven, while AWD models seated five, with the third row unavailable for the SEL R-Line. The two-row Tiguan offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, or 73.4 with the rear seats folded. The three-row Tiguan had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 with it folded, and 65.3 with only the front seats in position. Passenger space was minimally affected by the third row, with 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom in the front, and 38.7 inches of legroom in the second row. The third row had 33.8 inches of headroom and 27.9 inches of legroom. The Tiguan was one of only two compact crossovers offering a third row, with more legroom than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured advanced technology, including WiFi hotspot capability standard on every trim. A 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system was standard, 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. Up to two devices could connect via Bluetooth, and up to seven could charge using USB ports. A wireless charger was standard on all but the base trim. 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. Hyundai’s Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, with remote accessibility features. Digital Key 2 Touch was standard on SEL models and up, compatible with Apple and Samsung devices.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to operate. The infotainment system had monochromatic graphics, accessed through an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Tiguan S had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and two USB-C ports, while higher trims had four ports and wireless charging. Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit System was standard, with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen on the SEL R-Line. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2022, with improved safety features for 2023. Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite was standard, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist were available. A full-display digital rearview mirror and safe exit warning were standard, with rear seat occupant alert available on higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with improved safety features for 2024. Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE suite was standard, including adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, an automatic post-collision braking system, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. Park Distance Control was standard on higher trims.