2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image for a more modern and stylish appearance. The redesign embraced a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, resulting in a vehicle that was 11 inches longer, four inches lower, and two inches wider than its predecessor. This new design borrowed elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer, such as a prominent grille and distinctive body lines, giving the Trax a bold presence. The interior of the Trax featured a mix of cloth and Evotex upholstery, with higher trims offering unique styling touches like contrast stitching and piano-black plastic accents. The dashboard design was sleek, with a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents, providing a modern yet functional layout.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, offering a range of trims from SE to the luxurious Calligraphy Night Edition. The Palisade's exterior featured a blacked-out appearance in the Night Edition, with dark chrome and gloss black accents. Inside, the Palisade exuded luxury with options like premium Nappa leather and an artificial suede headliner. The interior was sophisticated, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The Palisade's spacious cabin offered comfort and convenience, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a dual-panel sunroof, and configurable storage options.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the decrease in power compared to the previous model, the new engine offered a quicker 0-60 mph time by about a second. The Trax's handling was tuned for a more car-like experience, with a wider track providing a stable feel. The front-wheel-drive setup and six-speed automatic transmission contributed to its nimble handling, although it lacked the grip and power of a hot hatch. The Trax also featured active noise cancellation, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Palisade offered smooth and satisfying acceleration. The SUV's all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction on various surfaces, and its driving modes allowed for adaptability in different conditions. The Palisade's suspension was tuned for a firm yet comfortable ride, and it displayed impressive handling on winding roads. The SUV's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, although real-world testing showed slightly lower figures.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered increased rear-seat legroom, with a slight improvement in front-seat legroom. However, headroom in the second row decreased slightly, and shoulder room was reduced due to the repositioning of seats. The Trax provided 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 54.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The driving position was more car-like, with low window sills for excellent visibility.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior comfort and space. The SUV offered a range of seating options, from cloth seats in the base SE trim to premium Nappa leather in higher trims. The Palisade's second-row captain's chairs provided excellent comfort, and the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The SUV featured a hands-free power tailgate and ample cargo space, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Palisade's interior was thoughtfully designed, with configurable storage and convenient features like USB charging ports and a rear climate control panel.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant upgrades in infotainment technology, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The Trax offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. The digital instrument cluster was a standout feature, providing a modern and easy-to-read display. The Trax also included multiple USB ports for connectivity.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, supporting Bluetooth connectivity for two devices. The SUV offered Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The Palisade's digital key function and semi-autonomous remote parking system added convenience, while the head-up display provided valuable information. The SUV's technology suite was comprehensive, with features like a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax came equipped with a range of standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behavior and provided a report card to parents.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade boasted an extensive SmartSense collection of safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The SUV's Highway Driving Assist system provided a hands-on driving experience for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, although NHTSA crash tests were incomplete at the time of publication.