2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling transformation, shedding some of its quirky charm for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were discreetly tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The test model, finished in Nordic Forest Pearl, showcased one of the two new color options. The HR-V's interior was refined, with the EX-L trim offering perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power moonroof, creating a comfortable and upscale cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, making it easily recognizable among family-friendly SUVs. The Palisade was available in several trims, including the new Calligraphy Night Edition, which featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black accents. The interior of the Calligraphy Night Edition exuded luxury, with premium Nappa leather and artificial suede inserts. The Palisade's interior was sophisticated, with quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and a striped dashboard, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The test vehicle's Hyper White paint and black interior added to its upscale appeal.

The 2023 Honda HR-V was powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous model, but the HR-V still lacked multiple powertrain options compared to some competitors. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, ECON, and Sport drive modes, with each mode adjusting various aspects of the vehicle's performance. Despite being quieter than its predecessor, the HR-V was still noticeably noisy at higher speeds. The HR-V's suspension and widened tracks made it surprisingly fun to drive, but it was not overpowered.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, boasted a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Palisade's AWD system expertly distributed power on various terrains. The Palisade offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. The Palisade's V6 engine delivered satisfying acceleration, and the suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride. The Palisade's real-world fuel economy was slightly lower than the EPA estimate, but it remained a pleasure to drive, with excellent handling and braking performance.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for storage. The HR-V's cargo space was slightly smaller than the previous model, with 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded. The HR-V's rear seats featured a 60/40 split and a thoughtfully engineered hinge for a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. The HR-V's passenger volume varied slightly between trims, with the EX-L offering a bit more space. Front-row legroom improved, but rear-seat legroom decreased slightly.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with various seating options depending on the trim. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured premium Nappa leather with microfiber inserts, while other trims offered H-Tex artificial leather or real leather. The Palisade's front seats were power-adjustable and heated, with additional comfort features available on higher trims. The second row offered captain's chairs or a bench seat, with heated and ventilated options. The third row was more comfortable than many competitors, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a tablet-style infotainment system with a physical knob for power and volume. The EX-L trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while other trims had a 7-inch display with wired connectivity. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering more advanced audio options. The EX-L trim also included a wireless charging pad and WiFi capability.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and Bluelink+ connected services. The Palisade supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but required a USB-A cable for use. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, providing excellent audio quality. Additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The available head-up display offered comprehensive data, but had compatibility issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beams. The HR-V had not yet been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" scores from the IIHS.

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. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system provided a hands-on driving experience for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but NHTSA crash tests were incomplete at the time of evaluation.