2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored its classic Land Rover aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and sharply cut tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with an interior that was more utilitarian than luxurious. Despite its high price tag, the interior was dominated by rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains, with a six-inch-wide metal piece spanning the dash and exposed screws adding to its rugged character. While the build quality was excellent, the interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover, making the high price of models like the Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition seem excessive to some. However, its unique character and excellent build quality continued to attract buyers, making it the second most popular model in Land Rover's lineup.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, made a bold statement on the road with its updated styling. The new front fascia, featuring bolder strokes and a squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding presence. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern look, while body-color mirrors with heated, powered, and auto-dimming features were standard across the lineup. The top Calligraphy trim stood out with premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, and a unique grille, while the new XRT trim offered a darker aesthetic with black 20-inch wheels and special accents.

Inside, the Palisade's interior was both attractive and stylish, with premium materials like Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trim. The dual-pane sunroof brightened the cabin, and the horizontal quilting and dash lines added a touch of luxury. The Palisade offered a range of seating configurations, with second-row captain's chairs in higher trims and a bench option for lower trims, accommodating up to eight passengers. The interior was designed with passenger comfort in mind, featuring HVAC vents in all three rows and ample cupholders. The layout of controls was intuitive, and the available Premium package for SEL models ensured that even lower trims could enjoy high-end features.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like the Terrain Response 2 system and permanent four-wheel drive making it a formidable vehicle on challenging terrains. Its turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided impressive power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth, and the V8's performance was likened to a speedboat engine in a commercial fishing trawler. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing a balance of power and efficiency. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less refined, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise detracting from its appeal as a luxury vehicle. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain option: a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was competitive within its class, providing more power than some rivals like the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. The eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with standard paddle shifters, allowed for smooth gear changes. The Palisade's HTRAC all-wheel drive system, available as a $1,900 option, proved capable on a muddy off-road course, though the vehicle was not designed for serious off-roading. The Palisade excelled in comfort, offering a smooth ride and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy was respectable, with FWD models achieving 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models returned 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility, offering unmatched seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the larger 110 and 130 models offered additional seating options, including a third row. The Defender 130 could accommodate up to eight passengers, with features like a separate moonroof, air vents, and USB ports for third-row occupants. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 provided 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender's large glass areas, including alpine lights, enhanced visibility, and a range of available features, such as a console refrigerator and power-deployable side steps, added to its appeal.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with seating for seven or eight. Front-row legroom measured 44.1 inches, with 42.4 inches in the second row and 31.4 in the third, surpassing competitors like the Toyota Highlander. The Palisade's interior was designed for convenience, with standard one-touch seat slide for easy third-row access and a hands-free smart liftgate on all but the base trim. Cargo space totaled 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Palisade's interior was well-equipped, with HVAC vents in all rows, a center console with a phone holder, and intuitive controls.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch display. Both screens were user-friendly, with the larger screen offering better legibility. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, though some features were only available on higher trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings, including a new 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was available in SEL models and standard in Limited and Calligraphy. The Palisade also offered advanced connectivity features, such as WiFi hotspot capability and Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system, which allowed remote access to vehicle information and controls. The Palisade's Digital Key 2 Touch, compatible with both Android and Apple devices, provided a convenient alternative to the physical smart key.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its solid structure. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features like a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system enhanced safety, though the Defender lacked some advanced driver assistance systems found in competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with new safety features for 2023. Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features was standard, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. The Palisade also offered advanced features like Highway Driving Assist II, which helped with lane changes, and a full-display digital rearview mirror. The rear seat occupant alert and safe exit warning added to the Palisade's comprehensive safety package.