2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, with the most notable update being the addition of a complimentary five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure connected services plan for owners. Available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, the Tiguan's price ranged from $26,950 to $37,680, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured a sporty appearance with 20-inch machined-finish wheels and adaptive front lighting. Despite offering a variety of exterior and interior color options, the choices were limited by trim level, restricting customization. The interior boasted upscale materials, including quality leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, though some materials reminded drivers of its more affordable base price.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition trims. Prices ranged from $36,650 to $53,850, plus a $1,395 destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition, priced at $55,930, featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black trim. The interior, with its artificial suede headliner and quality upholstery, exuded luxury. The Palisade's sophisticated design and upscale materials, such as metal speaker grilles and striped dashboard trim, made it feel like a premium SUV. The Night Edition's black interior with leather and artificial suede inserts added to its allure.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped 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 was standard, with the option for VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD as standard, offering various driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Tiguan averaged 24 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA, though our test yielded 22.6 mpg. While the turbo-four engine provided adequate power, it struggled at higher revs, and the transmission occasionally stumbled with delayed downshifts. The Tiguan's dynamic qualities were commendable, with excellent tire grip and stable handling, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with AWD available. The Palisade offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow. The V6 engine delivered ample power and smooth acceleration, with the transmission consistently in the right gear. The AWD system adeptly distributed power on dirt and gravel roads. The Palisade averaged 21 mpg in combined driving, though our test resulted in 18.8 mpg. The SUV displayed unexpected athleticism on mountain roads, with predictable handling and effective brakes. The Palisade's ride was firm yet comfortable, with excellent outward visibility aiding in city driving and parking.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, the third row reduced cargo space, making AWD models more appealing for those prioritizing cargo capacity. The SEL R-Line trim had comfortable front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls, though high-tech in appearance, were cumbersome and distracting. The Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with generous legroom and headroom in the rear seats. The hands-free power liftgate revealed a cavernous cargo area, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row in AWD models.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts in the Calligraphy Night Edition. The test vehicle featured comfortable seats with heated and ventilated options, though memory settings and comfort functions were limited to the driver. The Palisade's configurable storage included a large bin between the front seats and additional storage under the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain’s chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered more space than most rivals. The hands-free power tailgate provided easy access to the cargo area, with 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row and up to 86.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and a full-panel navigation map. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with multi-layer processes for simple tasks. The voice-recognition system underperformed, often lacking a data connection, which limited its usefulness.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, available with the SEL Premium package or higher trims. The infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The voice recognition system worked well, though it struggled with specific music requests. Bluelink+ offered connected services at no cost for original owners, including remote engine starting and SOS emergency assistance. The Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The IQ.Drive package added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Tiguan's safety technology performed well, with minimal false alerts. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022 did not apply to 2023.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured the SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. The rear-seat reminder system added ultrasonic sensing, and the SEL Premium package included front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for 2024, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.