2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, with a starting price of $33,700, was the most affordable electrified version of the SUV. It featured sporty black 18-inch wheels and a blacked-out exterior trim, though the interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an interior upgrade with leather lining, starting at $36,700, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup at $39,850. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, came in Canyon River Blue paint and had an MSRP of $41,175, including the destination charge. Its conservative styling, with a technical face resembling an angry robot, was expected to age well, though it carried too much visual weight over its front wheels. The best viewing angle was from the rear quarter, where Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design gave it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring featured leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch upper dashboard pad and metal mesh hiding the air vents.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade distinguished itself with bold, unmistakable design, especially after the 2023 refresh that replaced its chubby-cheeked face with a more angular and technical look. The SUV displayed balanced forms, tasteful body sculpting, and an upscale appearance, making it seem like a bargain at its sticker price. Inside, even the base Palisade SE trim offered a clean, modern, and upscale look. The most expensive versions boasted premium leather, artificial suede, seat piping, and metal speaker grilles, though some metallic-surface control markings were hard to read during the day. The Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details, such as USB charging ports in the front seatbacks, second-row smartphone storage pockets, and drink holders accessible to children. Hyundai offered the Palisade in seven trim levels, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500, excluding the destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Calligraphy trim with AWD and Robust Emerald paint, had an MSRP of $55,205, including destination.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid drive system, combining an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to the front or all four wheels. The EPA estimated 37 mpg in combined driving for the CR-V Sport Touring, but our test vehicle returned 32.4 mpg on a mountainous Southern California loop. The CR-V was relatively quiet on the road, with a compliant ride quality and predictable handling traits. The brakes performed well during heavy use, though the steering required unusually heavy effort even in Normal mode. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, with hints of fun, but it wasn't suited for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and the EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving (21 mpg with AWD). Our test vehicle recorded 16.9 mpg in city driving and 19.8 mpg overall. The Palisade's powertrain was smooth and refined, with plenty of power and a satisfying sound. The ride was firm at lower speeds and softer at higher speeds, and the SUV handled speed humps impressively. The steering and suspension offered a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated. Overall, the Palisade provided a satisfying driving experience, especially for those who appreciated its suspension tuning.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, with quality materials, intuitive controls, comfortable seats, and a roomy cargo area. All CR-V Hybrids included a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and the test vehicle had heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The CR-V's back seat was spacious and comfortable, with a high bottom cushion for excellent leg support. The Sport Touring's hands-free power rear liftgate revealed a 34.7 cubic foot cargo area, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with our test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger arrangement with second-row captain's chairs. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa premium leather, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, and the third-row seat was also heated. The Palisade provided generous storage space, with adjustable front cupholders and a Smart Liftgate. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 18 cubic feet, expandable to 86.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sport-L and Sport Touring trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the CR-V Hybrid featured a walk-away automatic locking feature.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included two-device Bluetooth support, wireless smartphone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluelink+ connected services. The voice recognition system performed well, and the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system produced commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It featured forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for the 2023 calendar year.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade SEL added an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system, and the Calligraphy model featured automatic braking when parking and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 and received five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings from the NHTSA.