2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender showcased a blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights connected it visually to other Land Rover models, yet its interior leaned more towards durability and adventure-readiness, similar to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. The Defender offered three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase 130, each with various trims. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its vintage appeal with white wheels and retro graphics. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof, with options for premium leather and additional climate controls.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold design, especially after a 2023 refresh that introduced a more angular look. The Palisade's exterior was balanced and upscale, offering a sense of value. Inside, even the base SE trim exuded a modern and premium feel, with higher trims featuring luxury touches like premium leather and metal speaker grilles. The Palisade was available in seven trims, with our test vehicle being the Calligraphy trim, equipped with AWD and Robust Emerald paint. The interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like USB ports in seatbacks and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered multiple powertrains, starting with a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Our P400 test model had a 395-hp mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The Defender also featured two supercharged V8 options, with the P525 delivering 518 hp. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time 4WD. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. It could tow up to 7,716 pounds with the six and eight-cylinder engines. Our test model's inline-six provided ample power for highway driving, though it had a slight lurch at low speeds.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite its age, the Palisade handled well, with a firm ride at low speeds and a softer feel on highways. Our test vehicle performed impressively over speed humps and offered a satisfying powertrain experience. However, it was less fuel-efficient, recording 16.9 mpg in city driving. The Palisade's steering and suspension provided a reasonable road feel, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials and practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row. Cargo space depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 90 offered 58.3 cubic feet with rear seats down. Our test model's cargo area was practical and easy to clean.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of adult-friendly seating. Our test vehicle had a seven-passenger setup with second-row captain’s chairs, while the base SE trim offered eight-passenger seating. The Calligraphy trim featured Nappa leather, massaging front seats, and heated and ventilated second-row chairs. The third row was also heated, with USB-C ports and air vents. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 86.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The Smart Liftgate added convenience, though it could open unexpectedly.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the screen was simple and utilitarian, with standard navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Meridian stereo system and home buttons enhanced usability.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's tech appeared dated compared to newer models but remained functional. It had a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system was effective, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered quality sound. Additional features included a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, lane-keeping assist was overly sensitive. As of this writing, it lacked crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered a comprehensive suite of safety features under Hyundai SmartSense, including forward collision warning and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like a surround-view camera and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS through 2024 but missed it in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new test. NHTSA ratings included five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance.