2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Toyota RAV4

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its looks likely found other aspects of the vehicle to their liking. The Palisade was available in several trims, including the SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition, with prices ranging from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the destination charge. The Calligraphy Night Edition, which we tested, featured a blacked-out appearance with dark chrome and gloss black exterior trim, badges, and wheels, available only in Abyss Black or Hyper White paint colors.

The interior of the Palisade, especially in the Calligraphy Night Edition, exuded a sense of luxury with its artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated design elements. The vehicle's interior was designed to offer a premium feel, making it comparable to luxury SUVs. The Palisade's attention to detail and overall sophistication made it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end experience in a midsize family SUV.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed to project a tough exterior, with its aggressive angularity and dual exhaust outlets hinting at performance. The TRD Off-Road model, which topped the lineup, featured off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires. The RAV4's interior was designed with practicality and utility in mind, featuring storage shelves, trays, and oversized rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

The RAV4's cabin was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate four adults, with a roomy cargo area of 37.6 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The vehicle's focus on utility and practicality made it a suitable choice for those seeking a versatile and functional compact SUV. However, the RAV4's interior lacked the upscale feel of the Palisade, emphasizing its utilitarian nature.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels unless upgraded to an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model. The Palisade boasted a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offered eight inches of ground clearance. It featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. However, the Palisade was best suited for less challenging terrains.

The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, with the transmission consistently in the right gear. The AWD system effectively distributed power on dirt and gravel roads, while the suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride. The Palisade's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg in combined driving, though our testing loop averaged 18.8 mpg. The vehicle's quiet interior, excellent visibility, and responsive handling made it a pleasure to drive, despite its less-than-ideal real-world fuel economy.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The engine required high revs to access maximum power, and an eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels unless equipped with the torque-vectoring AWD system. The TRD Off-Road model came standard with AWD, off-road suspension tuning, and all-terrain tires. The RAV4 offered Multi-Terrain Select with Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes, but its ground clearance and approach/departure angles were not significantly improved.

The RAV4's off-road suspension provided a smooth ride during daily commutes, absorbing bumps and imperfections. The steering and brakes were well-tuned for the vehicle's purpose, though the RAV4 was noisy at freeway speeds. The engine's performance was adequate for the compact crossover class, but it sounded loud and unrefined. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road model's fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, with our test averaging 26.6 mpg. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition offered better fuel efficiency, making it a more economical choice for those concerned about gas prices.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, with the base SE trim featuring cloth seats and higher trims offering various levels of leather upholstery. The Calligraphy Night Edition, which we tested, provided a comfortable and luxurious interior with premium Nappa leather and microfiber inserts. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, with additional comfort features available in higher trims. The Palisade's interior was designed for convenience, with configurable storage options and ample space for passengers.

Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered more comfort and room than many competitors. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 86.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The hands-free power tailgate added convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility, with a cabin designed for recreational activities. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The RAV4's interior was spacious enough for four adults, with a roomy cargo area of 37.6 cubic feet, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The vehicle's emphasis on utility made it a suitable choice for those seeking a versatile and functional compact SUV.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though they required a USB-A cable. The Palisade's technology package included a Harman Kardon premium sound system, digital key function, digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or 10.5-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services plans. The system included Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Drive Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect. The RAV4's infotainment system was sophisticated, though it had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and a light font that was difficult to read.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist system worked well, providing a hands-on driving experience for highway travel. The vehicle earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received high marks in side-impact and rollover resistance tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a comprehensive collection of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim did not include a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. The TSS 2.5 system performed adequately, though it had some limitations, such as excessive braking in certain situations. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to its performance in recent crash tests, highlighting the need for an updated version of the SUV.