Hyundai Palisade vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade underwent significant design changes, presenting a more upright and squared-off profile. Its standout feature was the front lighting, with rectangular slashes flanking a massive grille, giving it a bold and distinctive appearance. Inside, the Palisade embraced a Midcentury Modern aesthetic with flowing shapes and simple lines, creating a refined and relaxing environment. The interior materials were of high quality, with the top-spec Calligraphy model offering a luxurious feel, while the off-road-oriented XRT Pro maintained durability with high-quality materials. The Palisade was slightly longer and had a stretched wheelbase, accommodating seven or eight passengers depending on the configuration.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. It featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo and integrated the previous grille insert into the bumper. The Bolt was tall and narrow, prioritizing utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The interior saw a more dramatic makeover with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, but the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. The rear seating area had an abundance of hard plastics, lacking padding for the door armrests.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Despite a slight decrease in power compared to the previous model, the Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the ride was comfortable yet controlled. The Palisade's suspension offered good isolation from road imperfections, and the brakes were improved for shorter stopping distances. The Palisade's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and the HTRAC AWD system provided versatility with various driving modes. The XRT Pro trim enhanced off-road capability with features like all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance. A hybrid powertrain was announced for late 2025, promising a total system output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. Its motor, sourced from the Chevy Equinox EV, produced 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. The Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, and it offered one-pedal driving with adjustable brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt was agile on curvy roads due to its low center of gravity. The EPA estimated a range of 262 miles on a full charge, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port and increased charging speed to 150 kW.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered spacious seating with captain’s chairs in the middle row and a third row suitable for occasional adult use. Passengers had access to USB-C charging ports, cupholders, and air vents. The Palisade allowed for flexible passenger or cargo space with sliding second- and third-row seats. Heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims, and the cargo space was competitive, with a maximum of 86.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor for center-seat passengers. The Bolt offered 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and there was ample storage for personal items up front, including a large bin with dividers and a wireless phone charger.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a Surround View Monitor camera system and integrated dashcams. An in-car intercom and Rear Seat Quiet Mode were standard, along with a UV-light cleaning system. The Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped find charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade had not yet received safety ratings, but it offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. The Calligraphy trim added evasive steering assist and an upgraded Highway Driving Assist II system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet been rated for safety, but it was expected to perform well based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost.