2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover family. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. The large front air intakes and fake vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the Dynamic SE offering a Stealth appearance package. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured unique elements like 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a carbon-fiber hood. Inside, the minimalist aesthetic was highlighted by red leather upholstery and sport seats with light-up inserts, although the high console and dash created a somewhat cramped feel.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, especially after the 2023 refresh that introduced a more angular and technical look. The Palisade's design was both balanced and upscale, offering a value proposition that belied its sticker price. Inside, even the base SE trim provided a clean and modern look, while higher trims like the Calligraphy featured premium leather, artificial suede, and metal speaker grilles. The Palisade was packed with thoughtful details, such as USB ports in the front seatbacks and smartphone storage pockets. The lineup included seven trims, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500, and our test vehicle, the Calligraphy trim, came with AWD and a host of luxury features.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim could be equipped with a plug-in hybrid producing 543 hp and 590 lb-ft or a BMW-sourced twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two pushed the V8's output to 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with features like Terrain Response and air suspension enhancing its versatility.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving dynamics remained impressive, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the V6 engine providing ample power and a satisfying sound. However, fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with recorded figures falling short of EPA estimates. The Palisade's steering and suspension offered a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was positioned between the Velar and the full-size Range Rover, offering a midsize two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants enjoyed similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, though legroom was slightly less than competitors like the Acura MDX and Audi Q7. The sloping roof did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. Cargo space measured 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was competitive, with turbo-six and V8 models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with our test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with ample legroom and thigh support. The third-row seat was also heated, a rarity in this segment, and provided USB-C ports and air vents. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet. The Smart Liftgate feature added convenience, though it could open unintentionally.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design had some functional drawbacks, as many controls were relegated to the touchscreen. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, though it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology was functional but starting to show its age compared to newer Hyundai models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ connected services. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound. Additional features included a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like a surround-view camera, Blind Spot View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new test prevented it from receiving the accolade in 2025. The NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.