2022 Hyundai Palisade vs Toyota Highlander

Are you searching for your next vehicle and can't decide between the 2022 Hyundai Palisade or Toyota Highlander? With so many similarities, yet such distinct differences - it's important to understand everything both models have in offer. So join us on a journey of comparison as we pair up these two automotive giants side by side! See which one comes out ahead with greater style, comfort and more. Our guide will help make sure you'll be driving off in the perfect car for all your needs.

The Powertrain

For some consumers, what is living underneath the hood of a vehicle is the most important factor. In the cases of the 2022 Palisade and the 2022 Highlander, the story is very similar. Both of these vehicles are also front-wheel drive standard with the option of upgrading to an all-wheel drive.

Taking to the roads with confidence, speed and style comes in two packages - The 2022 Palisade or Highlander. Boasting a powerful 3.8L V6 engine for 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque plus an eight-speed transmission let's you start up quickly then accelerate smoothly wherever your travels may take you. Of course fuel efficiency is also top priority giving drivers 19mpg city/26mpg highway (FWD) &19 mpg city/24 mpg highway(AWD). With such impressive power combined with efficient performance, these vehicles make them ideal options for everyday use.

The Highlander easily rivals the competition in terms of fuel efficiency, boasting an estimated 21mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Choosing all-wheel drive only slightly detracts from these numbers - drivers can still expect 20mpg city and 27mgp highway – yet it still stands out against its rival, the Palisade. While other midrange SUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines may offer better mileage than both vehicles, few match their combination of power and practicality when on roads less traveled.

When it comes to performance, the Highlander takes things up a notch with its XSE trim offering sport-tuned suspension and dual exhaust tips. For those looking for something smoother on the road, Palisade may be just what you need - select models feature optional self-leveling rear suspensions! And don’t worry about cargo hauling either – both SUVs can haul up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

At this point, it should be noted that the Highlander is available as a hybrid, while the Palisade is not. The 2022 Highlander Hybrid uses a 2.5L four-cylinder engine along with two electric motors. It produces 243 horsepower combined, and a continuously variable transmission comes standard. The CVT is considered smooth, but it does get a bit loud at highway speeds. This version of the Highlander is estimated to get 35mpg in the city and 36mpg on the highway, which falls short of the estimates of many of its hybrid rivals.

Drivability

Both the Palisade and the Highlander are pleasant to drive. Drivers will find they offer a smooth and comfortable ride, and that both SUVs have reassuring stopping power. Between the two, however, the Palisade does a slightly better job when it comes to absorbing the bumps in the road. The Palisade also offers more steering feedback, which will matter more to some drivers than others.

The Palisade offers up a good amount of cargo space, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row. There are nearly 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet behind the first. The Highlander lags behind slightly, giving drivers 16 cubic feet behind the third row. It does have an edge with the very back row down, however, offering up 48.4 cubic feet. The maximum cargo capacity is 84.3 cubic feet, which is nearly as much as the Palisade.

There is seating for up to eight in the Palisade as well as the Highlander. Both of these SUVs can also change out their second-row bench seats in favor of second-row captain's chairs in select models, reducing the capacity to seven. If Highlander buyers stick with the bench seat, they will find that it reclines for added comfort. Like most three-row SUVs, these two have plenty of space in the first two rows but can feel a bit cramped in the third. This is particularly true of the Highlander, which offers less third-row legroom.

When it comes to the infotainment system, these SUVs are quite similar once again. Both come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, and they both have both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The Highlander further adds Amazon Alexa to the mix. Both of the SUVs have five USB ports in their base model. The Highlander also has a Wi-Fi hotspot and satellite radio standard.

The infotainment systems of both SUVs are relatively easy to learn. Some may find that they prefer the one in the Palisade for its quick controls and use of physical knobs to make navigating the menus easier. Highlander's infotainment system works fine, but it is beginning to look and feel a bit outdated.

When comparing the available tech, the Highlander seems to have a slight edge. It is available with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, for example, while the Palisade offers up a 10.25-inch one instead. Wireless device charging can be had on either option for an additional cost. The premium sound option for the Highlander is an 11-speaker setup from JBL, while the Palisade offers a 12-speaker system from Harman Kardon.

When comparing how both cars keep passengers comfortable, the Highlander once more appears to have an advantage. It comes standard with tri-zone automatic climate control, while the Palisade waits until the SEL adds dual-zone automatic climate control. The Highlander also has a power-adjustable driver's seat on all models. Comparatively, the base Palisade can only make manual height adjustments. The SEL model and higher add power adjustment for the driver.

Both of these SUVs have a significant selection of available comfort options. For instance, the Palisade offers heated front seats on all bars in the base model. This feature can be found on the Highlander starting with the mid-level XLE. Both of these SUVs reserve heated second-row seats for their top trims.

Safety

In crash testing done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, both the 2022 Highlander and the 2022 Palisade received the top score in the six main categories. When it came to the headlights, all Palisade trim levels received the score "Good" for how well they illuminated the roads. The top Highlander Platinum model received that score as well, while all other trim levels got an "Acceptable" rating instead.

The Palisade and Highlander offer a formidable safety package, recently receiving the highest rating of "Superior" from IIHS in 2022 for both vehicle-to-vehicle crash avoidance as well as pedestrian detection. This unparalleled level of protection was further verified with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing; they awarded five out of five stars during their comprehensive front, side and rollover tests to these two capable vehicles.

When it comes to driver-aid systems, the Palisade and Highlander are both top of their class. Both offer features such as forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking right off the bat - but that's just scratching the surface! The Palisade has a host of additional aids like rear parking sensors and blind spot monitoring while the Highlander provides traffic sign recognition and lane departure warnings for even more security on your journey.

The Highlander and Palisade models come loaded with a range of advanced safety features, such as parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring to take the stress out of navigating tight spaces. Plus, you'll also have access to adaptive headlights that automatically adjust according to your environment for improved visibility when driving at night. And don't forget about having all angles covered – both vehicles offer a surround-view camera system so no corner can escape your attention plus an intuitive head-up display keeps critical information conveniently close in view.

Which Has the Best Value?

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade has a starting price of $33,150, which is typical for the class. The starting price for the Highlander in 2022 is slightly above average, coming in at $35,405. As for the top Palisade Calligraphy model, it starts at $46,690, while the Highlander Platinum will cost at least $47,760.

When it comes to the cost of ownership, your wallet could be taking a much bigger hit with the 2022 Palisade than with the Highlander. Drivers who go about 15,000 miles per year will spend an estimated $1,050 more on fuel over five years compared to if they owned a Highlander! That extra cash adds up quickly and can make all the difference in buyers’ decisions when choosing between these two SUVs.

When it comes to maintenance, however, the Palisade is estimated to cost around $3,700. The Highlander will cost around $$4,600. It is also estimated that the Highlander will cost around $100 more in repairs during that time frame. Essentially, the fuel and service costs cancel each other out when comparing these two SUVs.

That said, due to depreciation, the Highlander has the lowest ownership expenses. While the Palisade is estimated to lose over $16,000 over its first five years, the Highlander is estimated to lose around $12,400. Even with the higher initial cost, the Highlander represents a better value when drivers need to sell or trade in their SUV.

Which is Better?

If you want a modern, dependable SUV that delivers the full package of features and performance, two top models to consider are the 2022 Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Highlander. On paper, it may seem like the Highlander offers more - better fuel efficiency; higher resale value; generous safety tech suite – but when drivers actually get behind its wheel they're put off by limited steering feedback as well as cramped third row seating. For those looking for an effortless ride plus plenty of room even in tight spaces -- make sure to test out at least one spin in the Palisade.

When deciding between an SUV, potential buyers must weigh their options carefully. The Hyundai Palisade offers a comfortable ride, more cargo and third-row space than the Highlander at a lower initial cost. It also has user-friendly technology features plus extra safety measures that may set it apart from its rival in terms of overall value for families on the daily grind - though those who prioritize long term financial success should be aware of Toyota's higher resale value offerings with the Highlander.