2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V, while functional, did not stand out in terms of exterior design. It shared a similar silhouette with many other compact crossovers, making it difficult to distinguish from its competitors. The CR-V's styling was marked by a few unique elements, such as its grille and some chromed plastic accents, but these were not enough to make it a standout choice for those prioritizing aesthetics. Colour options were limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, and the interior offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a mix of materials depending on the trim level.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a striking and elegant design that set it apart from previous Hyundai models. Its exterior featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, creating a visually appealing profile. The Palisade's design was further enhanced by LED lighting and 20-inch alloy wheels, giving it a premium appearance. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and spacious seating arrangements, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. It provided smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) maintained consistent engine revs, but it lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The CR-V's suspension setup offered decent handling and ride quality, typical for its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a satisfying baritone rumble and quick acceleration without turbo lag. Despite its power, the Palisade's fuel efficiency was not class-leading, with consumption estimates of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.6 on the highway. The Palisade's four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars contributed to its smooth handling, and it had a towing capacity of up to 2,267 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It provided over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and had a cargo capacity of 1,065 litres with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options, and most trims included roof rails for additional cargo-carrying capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating across three rows. It provided 509 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with both rear rows folded. The Palisade's interior featured numerous storage compartments, a shift-by-wire gear selector, and a dual-panel sunroof on higher trims. Heated and ventilated seats, a hands-free liftgate, and premium materials were standard on upper trims, enhancing the Palisade's luxury appeal.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Audio options varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin, and a wireless phone charger was available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased advanced technology, featuring a 1920 x 720 colour touchscreen and a 630-watt Harman Kardon audio system on all but the base trim. The infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. The Palisade offered multiple USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet on higher trims. A rear-view monitor, head-up display, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system were also available, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims. These features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a comprehensive list of safety features, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. It included seven airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and a range of driver assistance features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and forward-looking parking sensors.