Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was available starting at $41,995, including the destination charge, for the base LE trim with front-wheel drive. Buyers could upgrade to higher trims like XLE, Bronze Edition, Limited, and Platinum, with all-wheel drive as an optional feature. The test vehicle arrived in the top Platinum trim with all-wheel drive and an accessory package, priced at $54,718. Changes for 2023 were minimal, with a new Cypress Green paint color and standard power-folding exterior mirrors for Limited and Platinum trims. The Highlander Hybrid's design was considered over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior, while quiet on the road, was criticized for its mismatched textures and lack of quality feel, with controls and storage areas feeling inexpensive and poorly designed.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, offering a range of trims from SE to the new Calligraphy Night Edition, with prices ranging from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the destination charge. The test vehicle was a Calligraphy Night Edition with a blacked-out appearance and a price of $55,930. The Palisade's interior was praised for its luxury feel, with features like an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated design elements. The Calligraphy Night Edition came with all-wheel drive and a black interior with leather and artificial suede inserts, adding to its upscale appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. The SUV weighed 4,430 pounds in Platinum trim and offered an electric assist motor for the rear wheels in all-wheel-drive models. While the Highlander Hybrid could operate on electricity at low speeds, its gas engine provided limited torque, making high-speed passing challenging. The SUV's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but it struggled with power and brake performance in mountainous conditions. Driving modes included Eco, Normal, and Sport, with an additional Trail mode for light off-road use. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized fuel economy, but the test vehicle returned only 28.7 mpg compared to the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a continuously variable transmission contributing to a lack of engagement.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUV offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and eight inches of ground clearance. Driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with an option to lock the all-wheel-drive system for off-road use. The V6 engine provided ample power and smooth acceleration, with the transmission consistently in the right gear. The Palisade averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode during testing, slightly below the EPA's 21 mpg estimate. The SUV's suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent handling on mountain roads and reliable brakes. Overall, the Palisade delivered a pleasurable driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable only for occasional use. The interior included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. While the front seats were large and supportive, the driver's seat lacked sufficient thigh support. The second-row seats offered comfort and sunshade protection, but accessing the third row was challenging, and the seats were uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander Hybrid provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. However, the storage areas were unlined, and the center console design was unnecessarily complex.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, with cloth seats in the base SE trim and various leather options in higher trims. The test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts and a black interior. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory settings were available in higher trims. The Palisade's configurable storage included a large center console bin, wireless smartphone charging, and ample door panel storage. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered more comfort and space than many competitors. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was standard on SEL trim and above, offering convenience when loading cargo.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display in upper trims, though the controls were not intuitive. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected services. The Drive Connect service plan offered advanced features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and a JBL sound system, which provided decent sound quality. Overall, the infotainment system was user-friendly, but the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and Bluelink+ connected services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable, but wireless charging was standard on SEL trim and above. The voice recognition system worked well, though it struggled with specific music requests. Bluelink+ offered remote engine starting, emergency assistance, and other features at no cost for original owners. The Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional technologies included a digital key function, digital rearview mirror, and semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display offered comprehensive information, though it was incompatible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Hybrid also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Limited and Platinum trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane markings and rural roads. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with the SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Highway Driving Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. The SEL Premium package added features like lane-change assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. The Palisade Limited, Calligraphy, and Night Edition offered enhanced blind-spot safety with multiple systems. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.