2022 Hyundai Palisade vs Honda Pilot

The Hyundai Palisade has arrived on the SUV scene with a splash, but Honda's beloved Pilot isn't backing down just yet. Both models have proven to be incredibly reliable and packed full of top-notch features - especially this year when Honda made significant changes to their model lineup. This includes reducing some affordability by removing economical trims as well increasing prices in order for customers experience more standard upgrades at higher price ranges than ever before.

With seven Pilot trims and four Palisade trims to choose from, customers have scores of options to consider. Both models boast sophisticated technology and safety features, making it a headache to decide which one is the best fit. To ease your problem, this overview will highlight the key differences between the two SUVs.

The Powertrain

Both the Palisade and Pilot rely on V6 engines, with the former boasting a marginally larger engine and more power than the latter. The Hyundai Palisade embodies a 3.8-liter V6 engine that generates 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, while the Honda Pilot runs on a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and the same amount of torque as the Palisade.

The Pilot and Palisade may look different, but they share many similarities under the hood. Both have powerful transmission systems designed to maximize performance on any terrain - with nine speeds in the Pilot's gearbox and eight gears driving the Palisade forward. Plus, experiencing precision handling is easy thanks to paddle shifters that let you control every shift yourself.

Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration, though all-wheel drive is available. Some trims of the Pilot come standard with all-wheel drive. Even if the Pilot has front-wheel drive, it would still have a Snow mode. If it had all-wheel drive, it would have a total of three driving modes as part of its Intelligent Traction Management system. Those would be Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. Another standard feature that's offered with the Pilot is Eco Assist.

In addition to its standard Drive Mode Select program, the Palisade presents an eco-friendlier option called Eco mode. The other modes available are Comfort and Sport. For Palisades equipped with all-wheel drive, Snow mode is also at one's disposal, and drivers can lock the vehicle into AWD mode.

Given their size and power, it's no surprise that both SUVs can tow hefty loads. The Pilot can tow up to 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive and up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive, matching the maximum towing capacity of the Palisade. However, the Palisade has an added safety feature called Trailer Sway Control, which helps drivers maintain control when towing cargo.

The two vehicles both have hill start assist, and this can keep them from rolling backwards after begin stopped on a slope. The program does so by holding pressure on the brakes until the pressure has been applied by the driver on the gas pedal. In addition, the Palisade has downhill brake control so that it doesn't pick up too much speed coming down from the mountains.

Although not known for their efficiency, the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade offer comparable fuel economy per gallon on city roads and highways. The Pilot achieves up to 20/27 MPG with front-wheel drive or 19/26 MPG if equipped with all-wheel drive while the Palisade is capable of earning a maximum of either 19/24 MPGs or19/26 MPGs depending upon whether it has FWD or AWD respectively.

Drivability

Taking a test drive in the Pilot or Palisade will feel like stepping into serene tranquility. Thanks to advanced noise cancellation systems, both vehicles are known for their impressively quiet interiors - perfect for conversation and contemplation alike as you cruise around town. Although these SUVs may appear daunting at first glance due to size, parking maneuvers should be made easier thanks to their modest 196-inch length and 7-inch ground clearance allowing greater control even when navigating tight spaces.

The Hyundai Palisade towers above the road with an impressive 7.9" ground clearance, providing a confident and stylish ride that is only slightly shorter than the Honda Pilot's 196-inch length but noticeably slimmer in width - though you'd be hard pressed to spot it.

It makes sense that these SUVs have just about the same amount of passenger room. In either model, the first-row and second-row passengers will have plenty of space to stretch out their legs. The Pilot has 40.9 and 38.4 inches of first- and second-row leg room, respectively. People in the first two rows of the Palisade will have a bit more space, with there being 44.1 and 42.4 inches of leg room in those areas.

It's a different situation when sitting in the third row. The Palisade has 31.4 inches of third-row legroom, and the Pilot has 31.9 inches of legroom for its passenger sitting in the back. These aren't generous amounts, and they may make this row uncomfortable for taller riders.

Adults may find it challenging to access the third row of seats, but having captain's chairs in the second row instead of a bench seat can improve access and make the cabin feel more spacious. However, choosing the second-row bench seat configuration provides an extra seat, so it's worth considering personal preferences. Both the Palisade and the Pilot have second-row seats that can be easily moved or tilted forward to allow for easier access to the third row.

The two models are comparable when it comes to cargo space. Behind the third row of seats, there's 18 cubic feet in the Palisade and about 17 cubic feet in the Pilot. This can be increased to about 46 or 47 cubic feet by folding down the back row. Maximum cargo capacity, when two two rear rows of seats have been folded down, is 86.4 cubic feet in the Palisade and approximately 84 cubic feet in the Pilot.

Modern customers are looking for vehicles that have great technology packages, and the Palisade and Pilot certainly have this. The Palisade comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, and its higher trims have 10.25-inch touchscreens with navigation. The larger touchscreens also comes along with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and all infotainment systems have Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth.

In the Honda, there's an eight-inch touchscreen. This is the only option. It comes with Bluetooth and smartphone compatibility, and it's been equipped with SiriusXM. Higher trims have standard navigation and a traffic program that can assist people as they figure out the quickest routes to their destinations. The standard sound system has seven speakers, but higher trims have premium systems with ten total speakers.

One impressive aspect about the Palisade is how many USB ports are available. The first few trims have three USB ports in their first rows and two more in their second rows. Higher trims have another pair of USB ports for third-row passengers, and they have wireless charging, too.

Wireless charging is found in the higher trims of the Pilot, and those have a total of four USB ports. Most Pilots have four USB ports; two are in the first row and two are in the second row. The entry-level trim only has two front-row USB ports.

The cabins of these vehicles can be busy, loud places if they're loaded down with passengers. An intercom system can make it easier for the driver to communicate with passengers. Both of these models have that kind of system. They also offer rear passengers the opportunity to turn the volume in their areas down. This way, people up front can listen to a radio station or podcast while those in the back find another way to stay entertained.

When it comes to in-car entertainment, the Pilot offers a standout feature that will certainly catch passengers' attention: an advanced rear entertainment system completed with two high-resolution 10.2-inch screens, a BluRay player, and wireless headphones. The screens can even be used with selected apps, making it a great addition for those who prioritize in-car entertainment.

To keep things convenient and to keep people comfortable, these Hyundai and Honda SUVs have several other features. The Palisade has second- and third-row air vents and dual-zone climate control and it can have a heated steering whee and heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats. The driver's seat can offer lumbar control, and it can have a leg cushion extension.

The Pilot comes enabled with a tri-zone climate system as a standard feature, along with a heated steering wheel and heated seats in the first two rows. While the front seats offer ventilation, the second-row seats lack this feature. Power lumbar support is available in the Pilot, but the driver's seat does not come with a leg cushion extension option.

Safety

Experience the security of these two SUVs and their top-notch driver-assist technologies. Keep your eyes on the road with features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams that sense potential collisions before you even do! Plus, if ever find yourself veering out of a lane (it happens to all of us), they can correct course with intuitive steering correction capabilities - keeping you safe at every turn.

The Palisade and Pilot both come with adaptive cruise control, which can be helpful on long stretches of highway. This system is designed to make automatic adjustments to the vehicle's speed and maintain a safe distance from the leading vehicle. If the vehicle ahead deaccelerates, these SUVs will adjust their speed accordingly to ensure a safe following distance.

While the Pilot is solid in this regard, the Palisade does even better. It comes standard with a parking distance warning function that works when the vehicle is in reverse, and it has a driver attention warning system. Further, it has safe exist assist, an available semi-autonomous driving program called highway driving assist, an available heads-up display, and an available surround view monitor. These last two programs provide the driver with useful information, and it can be nice to be more fully informed when one is behind the wheel.

Which Has the Best Value?

As mentioned earlier, the Pilot has a higher starting price compared to the Palisade. Despite offering similar features and amenities across their trims, for many buyers, it may be more practical to opt for the base trim of the Palisade instead of the base trim of the Pilot.

Moving up one trim in the lineup, there's the Pilot EX-L and the Palisade SEL. The EX-L costs a little more than $40,000, but the SEL maintains a more reasonable price of $36,000. At the high end, there are the Pilot Elite and Black Edition, which cost more than $50,000 and $51,000, respectively. The nicest Palisade is priced at $47,290, so the Hyundai is still cheaper at this level.

It's hard for most people to ignore price when they're shopping for a new vehicle, and since the Palisade is so nicely equipped with refined materials and advanced technology, it seems like it has the better value.

Which is Better?

Buyers looking for a reliable SUV that offers cutting-edge safety components, ample technological amenities and capable performance won't have to look any further than the Palisade. This vehicle comes with all these features at an affordable price tag compared to its leading competitor - the Pilot. However, brand loyalists may find comfort in owning a Pilot due to its extra roomy third row seating as well as optional home theater level entertainment system; it merely depends on one's individual needs.