2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that included upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims, clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were essentially upgraded versions of a commodity car rather than true luxury vehicles.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, especially in its Ultimate Calligraphy trim, stood out with its distinctive grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. The Palisade's unconventional styling drew attention, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded luxury, with quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather and a suede headliner, making it appear more expensive than it was. This trim level's interior detailing set it apart from other midsize three-row SUVs, offering a sense of opulence that was hard to match in its class.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain provided a well-balanced driving experience. While CVTs often have a reputation for sluggishness, Honda's implementation was commendable, offering a responsive and fuel-efficient ride. The CR-V's car-like handling, nimble steering, and minimal body roll contributed to its excellent road manners. Its lightweight design, with a curb weight ranging from 1,521 kg to 1,641 kg, further enhanced its agility and fuel efficiency, achieving ratings of 7.7 L/100 km for FWD models and 8.1 L/100 km for AWD models.

In comparison, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade featured a robust 3.8-litre V6 engine generating 291 horsepower, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Palisade offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, along with a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. Its fuel efficiency was rated at 11.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The Palisade's firmer suspension tuning provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive without sacrificing comfort. While not designed for spirited driving, the Palisade remained predictable and confidence-inspiring, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kg.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its clever packaging included a deep centre console with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey, and a two-position load floor in the rear for versatile cargo space. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided up to 1,110 litres of cargo space, making it easy to accommodate various storage needs. The CR-V's thoughtful design extended to its door pockets, which offered ample storage space.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade, on the other hand, provided a spacious and luxurious interior, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The front seats were eight-way power-adjustable, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated second-row captain's chairs. The Palisade's third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class, and the SUV offered generous cargo space, with up to 2,447 litres available when the second and third rows were folded. Hyundai's hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, automatically opening when it detected the key fob.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they felt tacked on rather than seamlessly integrated. However, the CR-V did offer plenty of USB ports and wireless phone charging in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen display. This system included SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade also boasted features like wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, and a head-up display. While a WiFi hotspot was not available, the Palisade's voice-recognition technology and surround-view camera system added to its technological appeal.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance. A safety recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems as standard. It also featured a rear occupant alert system and active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. The Palisade's Highway Driving Assist provided smooth and sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. It earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for families.