2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, maintained its established design without significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. Despite the anticipation of an electric version, the current model continued to offer a blend of luxury and functionality. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, enhancing its sleek appearance. Inside, the cabin exuded an upscale feel with quality materials, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury. The interior was predominantly black, accented by real wood trim and chrome, with ambient lighting adding character at night. The Navigator's cabin was spacious, offering comfort across all three rows, and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though largely ignored by younger passengers, was a notable feature.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. Available in various trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, the Palisade offered a range of features at competitive prices. The test vehicle, a Calligraphy Night Edition, boasted a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, paired with a black interior featuring leather and artificial suede inserts. The interior was sophisticated, with an artificial suede headliner and quality upholstery, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The Palisade's cabin was well-appointed, offering comfort and convenience with features like heated and ventilated seats, a dual-panel sunroof, and a rear climate control panel. The smart tailgate feature and ample cargo space further enhanced its practicality.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, it offered a robust performance, though its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.6 mpg during testing. The Navigator featured five driving modes, with the Excite mode enhancing performance at the cost of fuel efficiency. Despite its size, the Navigator handled mountain roads with surprising agility, though its nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In urban settings, its size proved cumbersome, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces difficult.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade, equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an AWD option available. The Palisade offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, with the AWD system providing excellent traction on various surfaces. During testing, the Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode. The SUV's suspension was tuned for a firm yet comfortable ride, and it displayed unexpected agility on mountain roads, with the brakes performing reliably under stress. In city driving, the Palisade's excellent visibility and surround-view camera aided in parking and maneuvering.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, providing comfort with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the multitude of adjustments proved challenging to perfect. Storage space was ample, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered even more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, with higher trims featuring premium Nappa leather and microfiber inserts. The Calligraphy Night Edition test vehicle provided comfort with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. The Palisade's interior was well-designed, with configurable storage and thoughtful features like USB charging ports and side window sunshades. The third-row seat was more comfortable than most rivals, and the smart tailgate feature added convenience. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Sync 4 system was user-friendly, with a digital assistant that performed well in voice recognition tests. The test vehicle included a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing excellent sound quality. Lincoln Play offered rear-seat entertainment, though it was underutilized by passengers. The Navigator also featured Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock and start the vehicle using a smartphone.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices and offered Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, delivering impressive audio quality. Additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided useful information, though it was incompatible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise had limitations, struggling with curves and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, though full crash test results were unavailable.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured the SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist provided a hands-on driving system for highway travel, with lane-change assist available in higher trims. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though some crash test results were pending. The NHTSA awarded the Palisade a five-star side-impact rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating.