2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had established itself as the flagship SUV in Hyundai's lineup, succeeding the Santa Fe XL. It boasted a sophisticated and striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of being derivative. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED lighting, giving it a signature look. Inside, the Palisade offered an elegant and polished interior with high-quality materials and finishes. The horizontally arrayed screen and beefy center console added to its near-luxury feel, while the spacious second and third rows provided ample room for passengers.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid rode on the N3 platform, which increased its size compared to its predecessor. The new model featured a radically styled front end with angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, giving it a unique appearance. The Sportage Hybrid's interior was designed around a large optional infotainment display, offering a clean and minimalist look. While the base models had cloth seats, higher trims featured SynTex artificial leather, which felt somewhat cheap. The Sportage Hybrid's interior was practical, with clever storage solutions and a focus on functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and powerful driving experience. The Palisade's fuel efficiency was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway for AWD models. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade delivered robust power and a satisfying engine note. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes and featured a self-leveling suspension system on higher trims.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, on the other hand, utilized a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid's well-tuned transmission contributed to a quiet and comfortable ride. While not designed as a driver's car, it offered a pleasant driving experience. The Sportage Hybrid had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, slightly less than its non-hybrid counterpart.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and versatility. It offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with ample legroom and headroom. The Palisade provided 18.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a cavernous 86.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a compact shift-by-wire setup and intuitive controls. Higher trims boasted luxury features like a dual-panel sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and power-folding third-row seats.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, while slightly less spacious than its non-hybrid counterpart, remained competitive in its segment. It offered more front-seat headroom than some rivals but less in the rear. The Sportage Hybrid featured a dual-level cargo floor, providing 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The interior was designed for practicality, with a rotary shift knob and clever storage solutions. The Sportage Hybrid's cabin was equipped with USB ports, wireless charging, and innovative cupholders.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. It featured a standard display audio system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while higher trims offered a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a premium Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system included multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a rear-view monitor with parking guidance. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system provided remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The Limited and Calligraphy trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with integrated turn signal and blind-spot monitor cameras.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. The Sportage Hybrid's infotainment system included touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate adjustments. It also offered USB-C ports, wireless phone charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It included seven airbags, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like forward-looking parking sensors, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, due to its recent redesign, did not have crash-test ratings available at the time. However, it offered a range of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Sportage Hybrid's safety features were competitive, though some rivals offered adaptive cruise control as standard.