2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its design from the 2022 model year, with minimal changes except for the introduction of the Rock Creek trim. Its design combined futuristic elements like its headlights with more traditional features, creating a balanced and modern aesthetic. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a clean and sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical for everyday use. The trims ranged from the base S to the top-tier Platinum, each adding more features and luxury, such as leather upholstery and advanced infotainment systems.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, which set it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. The Palisade was available in several trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, which featured a blacked-out appearance and luxurious interior touches like an artificial suede headliner. The Palisade's interior was sophisticated, with high-quality materials and a design that rivaled luxury SUVs. It offered a range of features across its trims, from heated seats to advanced driver assistance systems, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both style and substance.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost, with 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the Rock Creek trim, which featured a taller suspension and off-road shocks. Despite its rugged features, the Pathfinder provided a smooth and quiet ride, although its unique shifter design was noted as potentially distracting.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and had eight inches of ground clearance. It featured several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Sport, and its AWD system could be locked for off-road conditions. The Palisade's ride was firm yet comfortable, with excellent handling and braking performance, making it a pleasure to drive in various conditions.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows, and the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Pathfinder featured numerous storage compartments and cupholders, making it practical for families. The Rock Creek trim's roof rack was functional, though its proximity to the roof could make snow removal challenging.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row down. The interior was luxurious, with options ranging from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather in the Calligraphy trims. The Palisade offered configurable storage solutions and a range of comfort features, including heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The third row was more spacious than many rivals, and the hands-free power tailgate added convenience.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch version available on higher trims. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some users might find the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. Higher trims added features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports, ensuring that passengers could stay connected and entertained.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and Bluelink+ connected services. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a cable was required. The Palisade offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system on higher trims, providing excellent audio quality. Additional tech features included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display was particularly noteworthy, offering comprehensive data and safety alerts.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came equipped with a range of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist, which included lane centering and adaptive cruise control, as well as features like a 360-degree parking monitor and traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder's safety features were comprehensive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, which included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Palisade also featured Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a blind-spot view monitor. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though some crash test results were still pending.