2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its design was a significant departure from the previous generation, offering a more traditional grille and front bumper that distinguished it from the Tundra's unique look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system was a focal point of the interior, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, received a styling update that enhanced its road presence. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a more commanding look. Standard features included LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights, with LED taillights available on higher trims. The top Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting, body-color bumpers, and a unique grille, while the new XRT trim offered a rugged appearance with dark accents and black 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Palisade's Calligraphy trim boasted premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof, creating a bright and stylish cabin. The Palisade offered ample passenger space, with second-row captain's chairs and a bench option for lower trims. Cargo space was generous, with a hands-free smart liftgate standard on most trims.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, though the ride quality could be busy and jittery in certain modes. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive in its class, offering more power than some rivals. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with paddle shifters, and AWD was available for an additional $1,900. The Palisade's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, with AWD models featuring a dedicated Tow Mode. Fuel economy for FWD models was 19 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, while AWD models achieved 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined. The Palisade provided a comfortable ride, with the HTRAC AWD system proving capable on a muddy off-road course. However, it lacked the clearance for more challenging off-road conditions.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though they could be a nuisance for taller passengers. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was mounted high, reducing comfort, and cargo space was limited due to the hybrid powertrain. With the third-row seat in its rearmost position, cargo capacity was just 11.5 cubic feet, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with 44.1 inches of front legroom, 42.4 inches in the second row, and 31.4 inches in the third. Passenger volume measured 155.3 cubic feet, and the Palisade could seat seven or eight passengers. The second-row seats featured a one-touch slide for easy third-row access, and the third-row seats folded flat for increased cargo space. Cargo capacity was 18 cubic feet with all seats in place, 45.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Palisade's interior was designed for convenience, with HVAC vents in all rows, multiple cupholders, and a well-organized center console. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on most trims.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services included an Intelligent Assistant and Drive Connect plan, though some features had limitations. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system were effective, though the infotainment system had some bugs in the pre-production model.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium Harman Kardon sound system was available on SEL models and standard on higher trims. The Palisade offered WiFi hotspot capability, a wireless charger, and multiple USB ports for device connectivity. The digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available on higher trims. The Palisade's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features, including remote start presets and Digital Key 2 Touch, which allowed key sharing via iMessage or Samsung Pass.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system could be irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tundra, on which it was based, received high ratings from IIHS.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard on all trims. The Palisade also featured navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, and a full-display digital rearview mirror. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard on most trims. The 2022 Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, and the 2023 model was expected to maintain or improve upon this rating.