Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It boasted features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console, making it a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, leveraged bold design as a differentiator, especially after the 2023 refresh that gave it a more angular and technical look. Its upscale appearance made it seem like a bargain at its sticker price. Inside, even the base SE trim offered a clean, modern look, with premium leather, artificial suede, and other luxury cues in higher trims. The Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details, such as USB charging ports in the front seatbacks, second-row smartphone storage pockets, and drink holders accessible to children. Hyundai offered the Palisade in seven trim levels, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500. The Calligraphy trim, with features like AWD and premium paint, brought the MSRP to $55,205. Overall, the Palisade's design and interior features made it a standout in its segment.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option developed 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. Both gas and hybrid engines were available with FWD and AWD, while the Hybrid Max was AWD only. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was expected to account for 85% of sales with the standard turbo gas engine, which provided adequate acceleration and solid brakes. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional modes for AWD-equipped models. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander offered a comfortable ride, though its steering feel was somewhat numb.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 22 mpg in combined driving. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds and softer at higher speeds, handling speed humps with ease. The Smart driving mode adjusted calibration automatically, while the powertrain provided satisfying performance with smooth and refined operation. Despite not being fuel-efficient, the Palisade's V6 was a delight, offering a smooth ride and commendable handling. The steering and suspension provided a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated. Overall, the Palisade offered a satisfying driving experience, especially for those who appreciated its suspension tuning.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. This extra length translated to increased storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet, surpassing the Kia Telluride. Behind the second-row seats, it offered 57.9 cubic feet, and with all three rows up, there were 20.6 cubic feet available. The Grand Highlander provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row. Its big greenhouse offered good outward visibility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured three rows of seats usable by adults, with a seven-passenger arrangement in the Calligraphy trim. The Palisade offered Nappa premium leather, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat with a thigh cushion extension. The second-row captain’s chairs were equipped with heating and ventilation, providing good thigh support and legroom. The third-row seat was also heated, a rarity in its segment, and offered USB-C charging ports and drink holders. The Palisade's storage space was generous and thoughtful, with adjustable front cupholders and dedicated sleeves for devices. The Smart Liftgate provided hands-free access to the cargo area, which offered 18 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 86.4 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, responding to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on higher trims. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with additional features accessible through subscription options.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology, while starting to look dated, was fully functional and offered a range of features. It included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system supported two-device Bluetooth, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Palisade Calligraphy featured a navigation system, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Harman Kardon audio system provided commendable sound, and the Palisade offered features like Hyundai Pay and a digital rearview mirror. The head-up display showed blind spot warnings, and the surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included an impressive list of standard ADAS features under Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, offering four following-distance settings.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features under Hyundai SmartSense. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims added features like ultrasonic rear occupant alert, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS through 2024, but a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test prevented it from receiving the accolade in 2025. NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.