Is it sufficient to subdue the Palisade, and preserve customers coming to Toyota? Or has Hyundai gotten too good? Right here’s how the 2 measure up.
Hyundai Palisade vs. Toyota Highlander value and trims
- Highlander prices between $41,000 and $54,000; Grand Highlander ranges from $42,500 to $60,000
- Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrids value about $47,000, however that features normal AWD
- Palisade provided in SE, SEL, XRT, Restricted, and Calligraphy grades, starting from $38,000 to $53,000
- Greatest picks: Hyundai Palisade SEL for $42,000; Toyota Grand Highlander LE Hybrid for $47,000
Which Toyota Highlander ought to I purchase?
The $41,000 Highlander LE (together with a $1,450 vacation spot charge) comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an influence driver seat, fabric upholstery, and 18-inch wheels. All Highlanders get a median 3-year/36,000-mile guarantee, although Toyota throws in two years or 25,000 miles of scheduled service.
All-wheel drive prices between $1,600-$2,000, with the upper value tacked on to greater trims. The hybrid upcharge of about $5,000 contains all-wheel drive, and it is not provided on the bottom Highlander LE. Which means the 2025 Highlander XLE Hybrid AWD begins the bidding at $47,450, so the $46,000 Grand Highlander LE Hybrid AWD marks the higher hybrid deal.
The Grand Highlander LE prices about $42,500 and is the perfect deal right here. It has energy entrance seats which are heated and coated in artificial leather-based, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wi-fi smartphone connectivity and a wi-fi smartphone charger, an influence tailgate, and blind-spot displays.
Which Hyundai Palisade ought to I purchase?
Hyundai gives the Palisade in SE, SEL, XRT, SEL Premium, Restricted, Calligraphy, and a Calligraphy Midnight trim that crests $55,000, together with the $1,415 vacation spot charge. For $38,500, the Palisade SE has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation nevertheless it nonetheless requires wired smartphone connectivity. USB ports within the first two rows and three-zone local weather management preserve it household pleasant, as do energy second-row seats. The entire household won’t respect it apart from those controlling the pursestrings, however Hyundai’s industry-leading 5-year/60,000-mile guarantee contains three years or 36,000 miles’ price of scheduled upkeep. That itself could possibly be a dealmaker.
All-wheel drive provides $2,000 on fashions the place it’s obtainable and never already normal.
For $2,750 extra, think about our really useful decide within the SEL. It provides artificial leather-based seats, energy entrance seats which are heated, second-row captain’s chairs, a wi-fi smartphone charger, and an influence tailgate. That is the perfect deal for the Palisade, and actually the perfect worth between these three fashions if you do not need a hybrid.
The $4,600 Premium Bundle tempts with 20-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, entrance parking sensors, a surround-view digicam system, a sunroof, reminiscence for the driving force’s seat, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, cooled entrance/center row seats, a blind-spot digicam, plus the automaker’s extra superior adaptive cruise management system. That brings the whole to only over $45,000, and it’s higher outfitted than the Highlander XLE fashions.
Benefit: Hyundai Palisade until you need a hybrid, then look to the Grand Highlander LE Hybrid.
Highlander vs. Palisade inside and exterior design
- The good-looking Hyundai Palisade outshines the smaller Highlander
- The Highlander carries over, the Grand Highlander stands out
- The Palisade cabin outshines the Grand Highlander’s
Is the Toyota Highlander a handsome SUV?
It relies upon. The Grand Highlander dwarfs the carryover Highlander that seems dated as compared. The ends of the usual Highlander have gotten sharper, giving it an edge, nevertheless it nonetheless wears the identical physique bulge that rises over the rear fender as within the Sienna minivan.
Not solely is the Grand Highlander 6.5 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider, and a pair of.0 inches taller than the Highlander, it’s smoother and extra subtle than the Highlander. The vertical face and scalloped rocker panels look extra just like the Palisade than the Highlander, however Toyota wraps the again finish in a extra cohesive package deal than the Hyundai.
The Grand Highlander advantages from newness inside with an obtainable 12.3-inch touchscreen that matches higher within the sprint, even when it sticks up like a digital thumb. Storage areas abound in both mannequin, with a sensible shelf above the glove field highlighting the area optimization. An digital gear shifter that takes up so much much less area than the mechanical shifter within the Highlander.
Is the Hyundai Palisade a handsome automotive?
Refreshed for 2023, the Hyundai Palisade will get busy on the skin with a large cascading grille plated like a printing press, and tipped with indicator lights. The DRLs stand upright, flanking stacked headlight housings. It tasks both assertiveness or confusion. It could be tougher to argue the deserves of the chrome band that splits the C-pillar and separates the rear quarter window from the remainder of the greenhouse. The XRT mannequin has darkish trim parts, faux skid plates, black roof rails, black 20-inch alloy wheels, energy sunroof, and black artificial leather-based inside.
Hyundai smoothed out the Palisade’s inside, beginning with a typical 12.3-inch touchscreen housed beneath the identical curving piece of glass because the instrument cluster. A slim band of vents underlines the display, which itself is underscored by a skinny panel of local weather and menu controls. It combines to present the sprint a low, horizontal profile that evokes roominess. The console holds an digital gear dial and has a welcome mix of hidden storage compartments and soft-touch surfaces lined with steel trim.
Benefit: Grand Highlander exterior, Palisade inside.
Palisade vs. Highlander dimension, seating consolation, and cargo capability
- All three have three rows of seats for eight passengers
- Grand Highlander is 201.4 inches lengthy, with a 116.1-inch wheelbase
- Highlander is 194.9 inches lengthy, with a 112.2-inch wheelbase
- Palisade is 196.7 inches lengthy, with a 114.2-inch wheelbase
- Palisade splits the distinction in dimension between the Highlanders
The Grand Highlander outsizes each the Palisade and the usual Highlander first as it’s the roomiest and most spacious for passengers. However the Hyundai Palisade simplifies seat folding. All three fashions have three seats within the third row and obtainable captain’s chairs within the second row.
How huge is the Toyota Highlander?
- Grand Highlander cargo room measures 20.6 cubic ft behind the third row, 57.9 cubic ft behind the second row, 97.5 cubic ft with each rear rows flat
- Highlander cargo area is 16.0/48.4/84.3 cubic ft
- Grand Highlander third-row legroom is 33.5 inches, in comparison with 27.7 inches in the usual Highlander
In keeping with their sizes, the Hyundai Palisade splits the distinction in roominess and cargo area between the Grand Highlander and the usual Highlander. All three can seat eight passengers, however the Grand Highlander does it greatest.
It comes normal with captain’s chairs and seating for seven, although Toyota gives a mid-row bench for gratis. The Grand Highlander has 1.5 inches much less second-row legroom than the usual Highlander at 41.0 inches, and the seats sit on a shelf that’s about 4 inches excessive to make room for the hybrid battery pack. The shelf is there on fuel or hybrid Grands, and the ground stays elevated within the third row, so your knees experience a bit greater.
With 33.5 inches of rear legroom, and built-in twin cupholders above the wheel wells, it’s roomy sufficient again there even with the panoramic sunroof to suit two adults so long as the mid-row passengers slide their seats up midway to permit for extra toeroom.
From the cargo space, pull straps collapse the wayback seats and their headrests, simplifying folding of the 60/40-split third row. Levers on the aspect of the seats and latches on the highest of the second-row seats could possibly be a problem for smaller palms, particularly in comparison with the push-button second-row seats normal on the Palisade.
How huge is the Hyundai Palisade?
- Cargo area measures out to 18.0/45.8/86.4 cubic ft
- Second-row legroom is 42.4 inches
- Third-row legroom is 31.4 inches
The Palisade’s rear seats are simpler to function for the entire spectrum of potential passengers than these in both Highlander. One finger press slides the second row ahead for straightforward egress to the third row, and getting out is simply as straightforward. The third row reclines, and likewise has cupholders and USB ports in most grades, whereas prime trims have heated and cooled seats, in addition to energy folding capabilities. The 31.4 inches of rear legroom is above common for the third-row class.
Entrance-seat occupants get the comfiest thrones, with energy changes and heating on all however the base mannequin. Loads of bolstering and lumbar help, in addition to pillowy cushions, present sufficient consolation to disregard many of the bickering from the rear rows on street journeys.
There’s sufficient room in again behind the third row for everybody to stow a rollaboard for every passenger.
Benefit: Grand Highlander area, Palisade seats.
Toyota Highlander vs. Hyundai Palisade towing, off-road, and efficiency
- Highlander has three engine choices, together with two hybrid decisions
- Palisade presents solely a 291-hp V-6 that makes 262 lb-ft of torque
- Towing maxes out at 5,000 kilos in each fashions
Is the Hyundai Palisade 4WD?
It may be, for an additional $1,900. Entrance-wheel drive comes normal, however AWD fashions add a locking heart differential with further Snow and Tow modes. The locking heart diff splits the torque evenly between the axles beneath 40 mph for higher traction on slick or muddy surfaces.
The Palisade is constructed for consolation, not pace or climbing skill. It rides mushy, and handles prefer it’d reasonably not be pushed, and that’s advantageous, because it does a superb job insulating the street from the driving force. It has a self-leveling rear suspension that retains it balanced as a substitute of sagging whereas towing as much as 5,000 kilos.
How briskly is the Hyundai Palisade?
The 291-hp 3.8-liter V-6 pairs with an 8-speed computerized that has good energy off the road, and it downshifts fast sufficient or will be overridden with paddle shifters to hustle the cumbersome SUV on passing strikes. 4 drive modes (Sensible, Sport, Eco, and Consolation) change the throttle mapping, so the pedal is mushier in Eco mode and springier in Sport mode, nevertheless it’s greatest left alone in Sensible mode. It lacks the grunt of the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max, however packs a a lot greater punch than the Highlander hybrid.
Is the Toyota Highlander 4WD?
Each Highlanders include front-wheel drive, whereas AWD could possibly be a $1,600-$1,950 choice. It is normal on hybrid fashions. The fundamental setup splits off half the facility to the rear wheels when slip occurs for all-wheel drive on demand. Restricted and Platinum fuel Highlanders have torque vectoring throughout the rear axle for extra exact energy supply and higher dealing with. The AWD hybrid provides a 3rd motor powering the rear axle when referred to as upon.
The hybrid powertrain unique to the Grand Highlander makes use of a full-time all-wheel-drive system that routes torque based mostly on driver inputs and modes: Sport mode has extra rear axle torque for higher takeoff, and Snow or Rock & Grime modes have low-speed torque extra evenly apportioned for extra traction.
How briskly is the Toyota Highlander?
It ranges from pokey, to punchy, to palpable.
The two.5-liter inline-4 hybrid with two entrance motor turbines obtainable on each Highlander fashions makes 243 hp and 175 lb-ft and will get to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. With a light-weight foot and the best circumstances, it runs in silent EV mode as much as about 15 mph; a heavy foot or an uphill climb would possibly make it protest. Its appeal is in effectivity, not assertiveness. Towing is proscribed to three,500 kilos.
Base variations of each Highlanders share a 2.4-liter turbo-4 that makes 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It has a bit extra gusto than the Palisade. Paired with an 8-speed computerized in front- or obtainable all-wheel drive, it’s louder than the hybrids however all that torque comes on early to present it loads of grunt for passing strikes. It goes from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds within the bigger Grand Highlander.
The Grand Highlander’s Hybrid Max powertrain pairs the two.4-liter turbo-4 with a motor at both axle certain collectively by a 6-speed computerized transmission. Complete output reaches 362 hp and 400 lb-ft, good for a 0-60 mph of 6.3 seconds that appears faster behind the wheel of a big car. It’s essentially the most highly effective powertrain right here, and it’s extra environment friendly than the Palisade’s V-6.
Benefit: Grand Highlander.
Hyundai Palisade vs. Highlander gas economic system
- The Hyundai Palisade has an EPA ranking of 19 mpg metropolis, 27 freeway, 22 mixed; AWD charges at 19/25/21 mpg
- Highlander turbo-4 charges at 22/29/25 mpg or 21/28/24 mpg with AWD; the Grand Highlander loses 1 mpg mixed
- Highlander hybrid charges at 35/35/35 mpg with AWD
- Grand Highlander hybrid is 36/32/34 mpg with AWD
- Grand Highlander Hybrid Max maxes out at 26/27/27 mpg
Benefit: The Highlander, throughout the board.
Highlander vs. Palisade security
- The Palisade earned a Prime Security Decide and a five-star NHTSA ranking
- The Highlander earned a Prime Security Decide, however the Grand Highlander missed it
- All three fashions come normal with computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lively lane management, and adaptive cruise management
How protected is the Toyota Highlander?
The Grand Highlander hasn’t been crashed but by the NHTSA, and the IIHS gave it an “Acceptable” ranking for its entrance crash safety, precluding it from a Prime Security Decide award. The IIHS charges the usual Highlander as a Prime Security Decide, and the NHTSA offers it 5 stars.
Highlander XLE and above fashions add blind-spot displays to the usual driver-assist tech talked about above, and most variations will be upgraded with parking sensors, a head-up show, and a surround-view digicam system. A restricted hands-free driving system for stop-and-go site visitors at speeds beneath 25 mph will likely be provided through subscription on the Grand Highlander.
How protected is the Hyundai Palisade?
The Palisade aces crash checks. It earns a five-star ranking from the NHTSA and a Prime Security Decide from the IIHS. A brand new entrance crash take a look at launched this 12 months to measure rear-seat safety challenged the Palisade, nonetheless, similar as within the Grand Highlander.
Hyundai equips the Palisade with extra normal driver help tech than the Highlander, resulting from its normal blind-spot displays. Excessive-end variations have entrance parking sensors plus a extra superior computerized emergency braking system that may react to potential collisions at intersections. A surround-view digicam system and blind-spot cameras that venture photographs within the instrument cluster are noteworthy choices.
Benefit: Palisade.
Which is healthier: Hyundai Palisade or Toyota Highlander?
Elevated by the brand new Grand Highlander, the Toyota Highlander matches the Hyundai Palisade’s excessive TCC Score of seven.0 out of 10. (Learn extra about how we charge vehicles.) Its extra subtle design, in addition to the bigger dimension and roomier cabin stands above the normal Highlander. If measured alone towards the Palisade, the Grand Highlander barely outranks the Hyundai resulting from its extra cohesive exterior design and hybrid powertrain choices. But the Palisade has extra worth baked into it than the Grand Highlander, which narrows the already small hole between the 2—and whereas Hyundai’s popularity is sweet however not nice for reliability, Toyota’s not essentially the most dependable automotive model, both.
