2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from the typical family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics 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. Prices ranged from $36,650 to $53,850, excluding the $1,395 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. Its interior boasted a luxurious feel with quality upholstery, metal speaker grilles, and sophisticated design elements, making it resemble a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its exterior styling, consistent with Chevrolet's recent SUV designs. The interior design was appealing, featuring digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system. However, the quality of materials, such as hard, glossy plastics and Evotex artificial leather, detracted from its overall sense of sophistication. The Traverse was offered in LT, Z71, High Country, and RS trims, with base prices ranging from $41,095 to $55,495, including a $1,395 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the Z71 off-road version, came with extra-cost Radiant Red paint, a panoramic sunroof, and additional driving packages, totaling an MSRP of $55,900. Despite its stylish design, the Traverse's material quality left room for improvement.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While front-wheel drive was standard, the Calligraphy Night Edition came with all-wheel drive, offering a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and eight inches of ground clearance. The Palisade featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Palisade was best suited for less challenging terrain. The V6 engine provided ample power and smooth acceleration, with the transmission consistently in the right gear. The AWD system effectively distributed power on dirt and gravel roads. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model, though our test averaged 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode. The Palisade offered a quiet ride, thanks to acoustic window glass, and demonstrated athleticism on mountain roads, with predictable handling and reliable brakes.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. While the engine's exhaust note was less than pleasing, it provided sufficient power for rapid acceleration, especially with AWD engaged. The Z71 trim, designed for off-road use, offered 7.7 inches of ground clearance, unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a skid plate, red tow hooks, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. The Traverse excelled on trails, with its suspension handling ruts and divots effectively. The Z71's tires and suspension also contributed to a smoother ride during daily commutes. The Traverse offered driving modes such as Tow/Haul, Normal, and Sport, though it felt large and less sporty on narrow roads. The all-terrain tires provided decent grip and minimal noise, while the brakes were touchy. The Traverse Z71 achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 21.5 mpg.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of seating options, with cloth seats available in the base SE trim and various leather options in higher trims. Heated and ventilated front seats were standard in the Limited trim and above, with additional comfort features like memory settings and an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. The Calligraphy Night Edition provided a comfortable interior with simulated suede seat inserts and a black interior. The Palisade featured configurable storage, including a large bin between the front seats and additional trays and pockets throughout the cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered decent comfort and roominess. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a spacious interior, particularly in terms of width. The front seats offered ample room, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats in the Z71 trim. The Traverse accommodated up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat, though our test vehicle featured captain's chairs. The third row provided adequate comfort but lacked a view due to the rear window design. Storage space was sufficient, though some competitors offered more family-friendly features. The Traverse offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. However, folding the third row required adjusting the second-row seats, which could be inconvenient.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a rear-seat Quiet Mode. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable, while wireless charging was standard from the SEL trim. The Harman Kardon premium sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional technologies included a digital key function, a digital rearview mirror, and a semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display offered useful information but was incompatible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse impressed with its standard 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Google Built-in, Google Maps navigation, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store access. It also offered Alexa compatibility, OnStar connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio were standard. The large touchscreen provided a user-friendly interface, with Google Assistant responding accurately to voice commands. The Traverse also featured an 11-inch digital instrumentation panel with customizable views. Optional features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a high-definition surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came 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. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist for highway travel. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received top ratings for side-impact collisions from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse featured a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. The Driver Confidence Package added a surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition, while the Enhanced Driving Package included Super Cruise hands-free driving assist. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.