2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior that many considered more premium than its non-European counterparts. Its design was marked by standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line on the SEL R-Line trim. The rear end featured the model name in all-caps style, complemented by the classic Volkswagen badge. However, the color options were limited, especially for the base trim, which only offered grayscale colors. The interior of the Tiguan varied by trim, with the base model featuring cloth seating and heated front seats, while higher trims offered leatherette or real leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and additional features like a panoramic sunroof and a heated steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, especially after the 2023 refresh that gave it a more angular and technical look. The Palisade's interior was equally impressive, offering a clean and upscale feel even at the base SE trim level. Higher trims like the Calligraphy featured premium leather, artificial suede, and other luxury touches. The Palisade was equipped with thoughtful details such as USB charging ports in the front seatbacks, smartphone storage pockets, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. It was available in seven trim levels, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500, excluding destination charges.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the top trim. The AWD version had a slightly larger fuel tank, but fuel economy dropped from 27 to 25 mpg combined. The Tiguan's driving experience was mixed, with inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. However, it offered good visibility and handling, making it feel more maneuverable than expected for its size.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional AWD. The Palisade had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 22 mpg in combined driving. Despite its age, the Palisade's ride and handling were commendable, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the automatic transmission delivering silky shifts. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 16.9 mpg in city driving and 19.8 mpg overall during testing.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a two-row configuration in its AWD models, providing 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, or 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row FWD models had significantly less cargo space, with only 12 cubic feet behind the third row. Passenger space was ample in the first two rows, but the third row was tight, with just 33.8 inches of headroom and 27.9 inches of legroom. Despite this, the Tiguan was one of the few compact crossovers to offer a third row.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade provided three rows of seats, with our test vehicle featuring a seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa leather, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver's seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with good thigh support and legroom. The third row was also heated, with USB-C charging ports and air vents. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with the second row down. The Palisade also featured a Smart Liftgate for hands-free access.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan featured haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob was sensitive and could be frustrating to adjust. The infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the base trim had a 6.5-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology was starting to show its age, with separate digital instrumentation and infotainment screens. However, it was fully functional, with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, but the system included two-device Bluetooth support, wireless charging, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Palisade Calligraphy also featured a navigation system, voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound, and the Palisade offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard inclusion of the IQ.DRIVE suite. This included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features under the Hyundai SmartSense umbrella, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Palisade SEL added an ultrasonic rear occupant alert, while 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 but did not receive the accolade in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.