Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota bZ

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade underwent significant design changes while maintaining its recognizable identity. It featured a more upright and squared-off profile, with standout front lighting that included rectangular slashes flanking a massive grille, giving it a bold and distinctive appearance. Inside, the Palisade's interior was softened with flowing shapes and simple lines reminiscent of Midcentury Modern furniture, creating a refined and relaxing atmosphere. The top-spec Palisade Calligraphy model boasted high-quality materials with varied textures, while the off-road-oriented Palisade XRT Pro also offered durable and pleasant materials.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, offered a choice between single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), with two battery sizes. The larger battery provided more power, performance, and range. The bZ's restyled exterior looked better with body-color trim, and the interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing quality and organization. The XLE's fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control, offering a user-friendly experience. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and information overload.

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 new XRT Pro trim enhanced off-road capability with features like all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different powertrain options. The XLE FWD with a 57.7-kWh battery produced 165 horsepower and had an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp and offered varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, but the bZ lacked one-pedal driving capability. The bZ provided a comfortable ride but struggled with handling on winding roads due to its tires and steering.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered flexible seating configurations, with captain's chairs in the middle row and a standard second-row bench seat. The interior provided ample space, with USB-C charging ports, cupholders, and air vents for all passengers. The Palisade's cargo space was competitive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 86.7 cubic feet with seats folded. Heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a skateboard-style EV platform, making entry and exit easy. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, and the Limited trim added ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom, and the cargo area provided 27.7 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56.9 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the rear window design limited maximum cargo space.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch color touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Calligraphy model offered a 12-inch head-up display. The Palisade included a Surround View Monitor, integrated dashcams, and an in-car intercom. A UV-light cleaning system was a unique addition. The Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the driver display was criticized for its placement, the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. However, it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected service plans were available. The Intelligent Assistant voice command system worked well, enhancing user experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade 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. While safety ratings were not available at press time, the previous model performed well.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control's response was inconsistent, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating.