2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander was not designed for off-road adventures, but its styling drew inspiration from rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier design and a trapezoidal grille reminiscent of the 4Runner. Available in XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims, it offered a range of interior options, including Softex synthetic leather and real leather in higher trims, along with a host of comfort features like heated and ventilated seats.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade distinguished itself with its unique styling, making it stand out in a crowded SUV market. Available in SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, Calligraphy, and the new Calligraphy Night Edition trims, it offered a range of options for buyers. The Calligraphy Night Edition, with its blacked-out appearance and Hyper White paint, was particularly striking. The Palisade's interior was luxurious, featuring an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated design elements. The Calligraphy Night Edition trim, in particular, offered a premium feel with its leather and artificial suede inserts, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The Palisade's interior was well-appointed, with features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof, providing comfort and convenience for all passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the range, the Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine, generating 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. Both gas and hybrid engines were available with front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), while the Hybrid Max was AWD only. The Grand Highlander excelled in acceleration, with the Hybrid Max achieving a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander offered solid brakes and adequate acceleration, with three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—available on all models, and additional off-road modes on AWD-equipped models.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Palisade offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and eight inches of ground clearance. It featured several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, with the transmission always in the right gear. The AWD system expertly distributed power on dirt and gravel roads, and the Palisade achieved an average of 18.8 mpg in Comfort mode during testing. The Palisade's suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent outward visibility and a top-down surround-view camera aiding in city driving. On mountain and canyon roads, the Palisade displayed athleticism, with predictable handling and reliable brakes.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. This extra length translated to increased storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet, surpassing the Kia Telluride. With seats in position, it offered 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, ensuring comfort for all passengers, even in the third row.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a range of interior options, with the base SE trim featuring cloth seats and higher trims offering H-Tex artificial leather, real leather, and premium Nappa leather. The Calligraphy Night Edition featured simulated suede seat inserts and a black interior. The Palisade's interior was well-equipped, with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof available on higher trims. The Palisade offered configurable storage, with a large storage bin between the front seats and additional storage options throughout the cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed captain's chairs with optional heating and ventilation, while the third row offered decent clearance and comfort. The Palisade provided 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant, available via a connected-services subscription, responded to voice commands for tasks like adjusting the temperature or changing radio stations. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on higher trims. Streaming audio integration was available, with Sirius XM satellite radio and Wi-Fi Connect package options.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, available with the SEL Premium option package or higher trims. All Palisades had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, supporting Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, Bluelink+ connected services, Wi-Fi access, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable. The Palisade offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system on higher trims, along with a digital key function, digital rearview mirror, and semi-autonomous remote parking system. The head-up display provided navigation instructions and safety feature status.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested or rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured the 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, intersection assist, and more. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) paired adaptive cruise control with curve speed control and lane-centering assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with a five-star side-impact rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.